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Helter Skelter cover art

Helter Skelter

Written by: Vincent Bugliosi, Curt Gentry
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Publisher's Summary

Prosecuting attorney in the Manson trial Vincent Bugliosi held a unique insider's position in one of the most baffling and horrifying cases of the 20th century: the cold-blooded Tate-LaBianca murders carried out by Charles Manson and four of his followers. What motivated Manson in his seemingly mindless selection of victims, and what was his hold over the young women who obeyed his orders? Now available for the first time in unabridged audio, the gripping story of this famous and haunting crime is brought to life by acclaimed narrator Scott Brick.

©1974 Curt Gentry and Vincent Bugliosi, Afterword 1994 by Vincent Bugliosi (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

What the critics say

“One of the best crime stories ever written.” (Chicago Sun-Times)

Featured Article: 20 Best True Crime Audiobooks for Your Inner Detective

There is nothing more thrilling than the unfolding tale of a true crime story. Whether an unsolved mystery, a deep dive into a criminal mastermind, or a look at an infamous serial killer, true crime is gripping, captivating, and engrossing. The best true crime audiobooks will have you on the edge of your seat, anxious for more. Add to that an emphatic and powerful narrator, and you simply won't be able to stop listening. Here are the 20 best true crime audiobooks to satisfy your inner detective.

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What listeners say about Helter Skelter

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great "read"

Well written. Well paced. Interesting. The narration was good. This book has faults but I really think it does so much right that it negates any major issue. Really good book. Highly Recommend.

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I am adding an expansion to this review to give credit to the narrator. This is a 26 hour book (that I already stated was well performed in my short review above) in which the narrator must narrate in his own voice as well as differentiate, in small ways, the voices of many characters.

Those of you familiar with the Mason family, the victims and the trial know there were a great many people involved. After listening to quite a few books since my original review, I have noticed how not all narrators are able to make a clear distinction from one person to another at all times. This narrator, however, generally only makes small changes to evoke a new person speaking. He is not portraying them as a character actor would but he is giving them a voice that is distinct in the moment it is being read, and often times maintains it throughout the book.

The lawyers are more stern. Manson is a dude. The girls are soft. Everyone is provided a voice that makes this book easy to digest. I have listened to some books that are full on narrations with very little characterization and others with far too much, bordering on caricature. It is always his voice in this book but I found that the effort put into making the voices distinct is a major asset to this title and one you may not appreciate until you hear others who can't or don't make the attempt.

I don't think you can say you know what Manson sounds like by listening to the narrators version, but with the book's writing behind it it goes a long way in selling the whole. Great work. Still highly recommend.

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13 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

long and satisfyingly

i was wondering if a book of such length about court cases would be a finnisher. It is! so much information in laymen terms but not like a lecture. worth it

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A classic well-read

A True Crime classic that birthed Bugliosi as an author (check out his books on the Kennedy murder) and Scott Brick doesn’t overdo being Scott Brick.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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leadership???

  I have always been a  fan of courtroom dramas like Matlock, Perry Mason..etc. Over this last week I indulged in a real life courtroom. That is the trial of Charles Manson in Helter Skelter.
    My interest was not in Manson, but in what it took to convict a man who told others to kill for him. Vincent Bugliosi is the prosecuting attorney for the people, auth of this book. According to this book. he was a major key player in putting the pieces together to build a case for crimes that shook the world.
     For a real world, this book has everything sensational that you would find in a made up fiction. From sleazy lay who used every stall tactics to draw out and prolong justice, incompetence on some law enforcement, competence in others, escape attempts, murder, and so much more.
   As for Manson, I find him no different then any self serving political or religious leader. A hypocritical intelligence willing to lie, steal, durg, and use fear to brainwash already damaged people. An all to common trait in our leadership.
  Manson is a byproduct of the system that raised him. Yes he is an evil person. He was also forged by jail and the Institution. Admittedly before he started to gather his group of "special followers". He was in jail and said he never wanted to leave.
   I do thank everyone involved in making this audiobook available from the author to narrator and everyone involved. 

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I think I understand my parents a little more

It was a long book and hard to follow sometimes, every name but Manson, the Beatles, and the Beach Boys being the only ones I recognized. However, I think the author knew this would be an issue and had laid out the book thoughtfully.

It’s like a Phoenix Write game in novel form lol

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Hard to follow

Very thorough. Enjoyed the follow up 25years after the killings. However it was difficult to follow due to the numerous names and nicknames. I feel reading the book would have been easier to keep everyone straight.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well written

With Vincent being the main prosecutor for the trial you really get a first hand account of what happened during that time. Thoroughly enjoyed!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent listen

Some details are not for the faint of heart but I thought this was excellent. A lot of details in this book makes my hatred of the Manson family more justified than it already was

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

The story couldn't play regularly,

couldn't hear, picked up in random places, some times replayed wasn't worth it. can refund it for some reason

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

One of the most fascinating books I have ever read or listened to. Very well written and narrated.

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