helter skelter is the best true crime story that i have ever read. it is also the only one that has truly ever scared me. based on the true story of the manson murders, and written by vincent bugliosi and curt gentry, this work of nonfiction is nothing short of brilliant.

bugliosi and gentry begin the book as ‘part 1: the murders’ followed by four lines from the beatles’ ‘baby you’re a rich man’. “how does it feel to be one of the beautiful people?” because manson based his philosophies on both the beatles and the bible, there is repeated reference to the lyrics of the fab four.

bugliosi and gentry make sure that no detail of the horrible crimes is left untold. whether they are writing about blood spatter, orgies, the murders, or the family members, they prove themselves to be thorough and expert storytellers.

if you plan to read or reread helter skelter, then i suggest getting a copy that contains the new afterward by bugliosi. in it, he gives more of his personal views on manson himself, the world’s fascination with said serial killer, and updates on the family. while it is by no means long, it is extremely insightful and interesting. it also provides closure to a story that can never really end.

bugliosi writes, “the very name ‘manson’ has become a metaphor for evil, catapulting him to near mythological proportions. charles manson has come to represent the dark and malignant side of humanity; and again, there is a side to human nature that is fascinated by pure, unalloyed evil.”

how correct that statement is. however, it is also part of human nature to be curious, and that we cannot be faulted for. perhaps these are the reasons that for years i have been told by my mother to read helter skelter. she said that i cannot call myself a true crime fan until i read this story. how right she was.

it is not surprising that helter skelter is the #1 true crime best seller of all time. no one could have told or written it better than the prosecutor of charles manson or his family than bugliosi himself.