I have decided to change up my review style for the audiobook of Helter Skelter: The True Story Of The Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry because I listened to it back in April and I still want to review it because I thought it was really interesting, but I just don’t want to review my conventional way. So, instead, I thought I would break this review down into parts. I hope you all stick around and let me know what you think!
Helter Skelter
What is the book about?:
Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry is about what you would think it would be, based on the title. It’s all about the Manson murders that took place in the summer of 1969. Basically Charles Manson was head of this commune called The Family and like they were sexual deviants and such. THEN he kind of convinced a few of the members of the family to murder Sharon Tate and the people at her house. They also murdered the La Bianca family and these murders put LA in a bit of an uproar and spread all sorts of fear. The book explores the events of the murders, then goes into the trial and provides extensive information about Manson and the family.
Why did I read (listen to) this book?:
I think if you are a regular reader of Good Books And Good Wine, you know that I have a bit of an obsession with cults. I find them fascinating and so outside my realm of comprehension. When Helter Skelter was on sale at Audible, I know I had to obtain it because it falls within my interests and I love listening to non-fiction books. I knew a little bit about the Manson Family from reading Family by Micol Ostow which is a fictionalized verse account, but I wanted to know a lot more than what the book and Wikipedia told me. While Helter Skelter was gruesome and terrifying, I feel like I learned SO much.
What did I think of the audio?
Well, as with all of my reviews a little information about the audiobook — it is narrated by Scott Brick and is 26 hours and 33 minutes unabridged. The audiobook is produced by Audible, Inc. I thought Scott Brick was a perfect pick to narrate Helter Skelter. His voice is not distracting and is serious in tone which is necessary when talking about a tragic event like these murders.
Would I recommend the audiobook of Helter Skelter?
Helter Skelter is not an audiobook I would recommend to every single reader. First off, not every reader has a morbid fascination with true crime and cults and the darker side of humanity and that is fine. Also, not all readers are into non-fiction and this is definitely not the book to start with when cultivating a new non-fiction habit. I would, however, recommend this to audiobook aficionados with a preference for non-fiction.
Disclosure: Purchased audiobook on Audible.
Other reviews of Helter Skelter: The True Story Of The Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry:
I looked seven pages in on Google and did not find any by book bloggers. If you’ve reviewed this drop me your review link in the comments and I will happily link you up.
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Nice review, but this is not an audiobook that I want to listen to, Scott Brick or no!
Hah, yeah it is a little read: A LOT scary.
*Raises hand* I have a morbid fascination with cults and true crime. 🙂 I’ve always watched every single documentary I can on Manson, Jonestown, and other cults. This seems really interesting.
Lori, that is so INTERESTING about you. I had no idea! Glad to know there is one other blog who has that morbid sort of fascination I do 🙂
Great review! This is one I probably should read. I don’t have a fascination with cults, per se, but I do have one with serial killers and true crime. I’ve watched several Dateline-type documentaries about Manson. He’s definitely one of the more fascinating ones. Thanks for the review! 😀
Oh, gosh I love dateline-esque documentaries.
I think maybe Manson is so fascinating because it’s so lurid and hard to wrap your mind around why. How could a person be so evil, ya know?
I like it! I enjoy your regular style, but it’s also fun to mix things up every once in a while. I haven’t read this, but my best friend (not a blogger, so no link) did. I know she really likes it, since, of course, my friends, like me, are fascinated by morbid things like this.
Yeahhhhhh not my kind of book. *shudders*
I like your old style of reviewing better to be honest. This way seems too sectioned off.
Ooh, creepy. It sounds fascinating, in a darker way, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to read this.
A couple years ago, I was at my mom’s helping her pass out Halloween candy, and we flipped the TV on. They were having some true crime deal about Manson on there, and I seriously was obsessed. I started Googling all about it. Then, of course, I had to come home alone. I was scared to death. Oh my gosh. No way could I read this, though I am really fascinated with that whole incident.