This is an engaging book by James Day, who manages to get Charles Manson to call him, then they begin a dialogue where James explains to Manson that he wants to tell his true story, whatever that may be, that Manson still claims has never been told. This begins a year-long discourse between them about everything under the sun, while Day interviewed Manson for a documentary. Which also happened to be the final year of Manson’s life. He also further researched his background, and interviewed many other major figures who were involved in the story back in the day, or who knew Manson some other way.

After learning about Manson’s many “friends” who did favors for him, constantly jockeying for position as his “best friend” but mostly just being used to get Manson’s needs fulfilled out of necessity, Day met some and interviewed them, and spoke to others. They were very loyal, and several sold items like artwork for Charlie online, splitting the proceeds with him. Others had different functions to keep Manson happy, including visits.

There was the usual information in there, but plenty new interviews to keep it interesting. There are lots of topics they discussed and lots of unusual statements by Charlie all through. Many things that have long been staples of the story in books were disputed and reasons given. It is left for you to decide which is correct. A fascinating send off for Manson that leaves us with plenty to think about. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author James Buddy Day, and the publisher.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for granting my wish for this book! I've grown up with a love for the dark side, and part of that was an interest in serial killers. The thought that someone could kill another person is terrifying and beyond my reasoning, so it is always fascinating to me to read material like this that give us an all-access pass into the person's life. I was actually named after a victim of the Manson Family, so their story has been woven into my existence. It's been a long time since I've read Helter Skelter, so I can't compare the information in that novel to this one, which I think is much better. I want this to be its own narrative without being held up to another account.

I really loved the way that this novel was presented. We got backstory on the murders, which were written in graphic detail. I could see every cut, every wild eye within these pages. These scenes were pieced together with conversations the author had with Charles himself, and that on its own was completely wild to me. I can't imagine writing up one of the most famous killers in the USA and striking up a familiarity with them. It's possibly the bravest and dumbest thing I've ever heard, but the material gathered was worth the risk. I loved hearing Charlie's words right from his mouth, and taking in the chilling fact that a lot of it didn't make sense, which showed you the state of his mind.

I think this book taught me a lot in the way of not only the psychology behind the Family, but also just how easy it was to get close to someone in prison way back when. All James did was write him a letter, and from that letter came correspondence and phone calls. There were other 'friends' of Charlie's too who gave him money, sold his artwork, and gave him companionship. This man was born and raised in a prison cell, pretty much, and died the same way. It's no surprise things ended the way they did, but I don't think anyone would have guessed the impact. It has been decades, and we're still trying to find this man out. I'm grateful for people like James Buddy Day who are sharing their stories and connecting the puzzle.

This is my first book I read about Charles Manson. I know the story thanks to documentaries I’ve watched but this book gave me more information. I love anything true crime and this book was the perfect edition to my bookshelf. I recommend this book to anyone curious about Charles Manson or even someone who knows the facts and read other books.

Normally I start my reviews with a brief synopsis about the book I have read but since this is a new book there wasn't much of a synopsis to go off of. This book is a true crime novel following James Buddy Day on his journey of making a documentary about Charles Manson. You get to learn about one-on-one interviews that he was able to have with Manson via phone calls during Manson's last few months alive. You get to learn about a new theory surrounding the case that started the true crime craze that is still very prominent today. What if "Helter Skelter" wasn't the reason behind the Tate-LaBianca murders like everyone thinks it is? What if none of the family members even know what that theory was until the trial?

I am obsessed with Charles Manson and his family. I have read many books on this subject and still find the information fascinating. So, when I saw that this book was coming out I HAD to try to receive an ARC through NetGalley. The cover caught my eye on the website and I was extremely excited when I saw the e-mail that I was chosen to get a copy. I started this book while on my flight to Tampa and made it close to 50% of the way done before having to get off of the plane (I was reading on my Kindle). I was hooked from the very beginning and once I started getting to the in depth parts of the alternate theory that this book surrounds I was hooked even more. I brought my Kindle with me everywhere so I had the ability to read in any down time that presented itself to me. Although, there were times where I was worried that Manson was starting to get into the mind of the author with his weird "psycho-babble" (for lack of better terminology) James Buddy Day made sure to go back to do his research before believing anything that came out of Charlie's mouth.

On Goodreads I rated this book a 4/5 because of how magnetic it is. I just wanted to keep reading so I could find more and more information about the theory (which makes complete sense). You could tell that this author did a lot of research while conducting the interviews that he talks about in the book. You can feel the passion he has for this subject radiating through the words while reading. There is a lot of information about the cases that I had not heard before even after reading several books on the subject (including "Helter Skelter"). I also liked that, although, Day is going against the "Helter Skelter" theory that caused Charlie to end up behind bats he makes sure that his readers know that he in no way believes that the verdict at the end of Manson's trial was wrong. He, instead, is just posing another theory that makes more sense and fits better with the evidence that was found at the crime scenes. If you love true crime this is definitely a book to keep a look out for; Publishing date is August 8, 2019! You don't want to miss it!

Just when I thought I knew a lot about the Tate murders and Charles Manson, I read Hippie Cult Leader and discovered a great follow up story about them. This book is a must-read for anyone familiar with the 1969 events.

An interesting book, well written and full of facts and information.
i appreciated the style of writing and how the book is organised.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

THANK YOU NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Read this book and watch the documentary (originally aired on REELZ)

I'm a little biased when I say this book was great because I have always been intrigued by Charles Manson. Im so glad it was put into words after it was originally a documentary. You get some words from the man behind some of the most heinous crimes in the 60's. I highly reccomend this book, especially if youre a true crime junkie like me!

I enjoyed this book overall. I haven't watched the documentary (which is what this book is kind of based off of). I have an affinity for all things cult/extreme belief/serial killer. I found this book to be a bit repetitive. A lot of facts that are already known were regurgitated in this book (and that's fine for those who don't already know much about Manson). I did "learn" a few new things in this book that I was unaware and that is what kept my attention. With a bit more editing, I think this book will go over well.

Thank you Netgalley for granting my wish for this book! I have always been an avid True Crime fan and was exceptionally excited to see this pop up on my feed!

Charles Manson has always been an interesting subject to read about for me. It has always fascinated me that this man, who is infamous in the True Crime community, who is referred to as Evil Reincarnate by millions, never actually killed anybody himself. I've always found the psychology behind Manson and his manipulation of those around him to be intensely fascinating.

James Buddy Day does an incredible job at re-telling this over-done and well known tale into something fresh and interesting. Bringing little known facts to the table and sharing his own insight following personal interviews he had with Manson directly. There were many things I hadn't previously read about before, so it was really fascinating to read the Manson story with fresh information. And, as always, the interviews with Manson were fascinating - it is easy to see how he manipulated so many people!

It's quite clear that James Buddy Day has put his heart and soul into this piece of work. He has done a fantastic job with Hippie Cult Leader and I would absolute recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading about True Crime!

Hippie Cult Leader by James Buddy Day is dubbed as The Last Words of Charles Manson.  Day is known for producing true crime documentaries, and when he reached out, Manson agreed to speak with him. Manson died in 2017 from complications associated with cancer.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Optimum Publishing, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

My Synopsis and Opinions:   

Vincent Bugliosi was the prosecutor who brought Charles Manson and his "family" to justice.   His "Helter Skelter theory"  (and best-selling book) is based on Charles Manson being a brainwashing cult leader,  who was trying to start a race war.  According to Bugliosi, Manson believed the Beatles song Helter Skelter contained secret messages that would ignite the black vs white race war, and so Manson was killing and leaving clues that would lead to the revolt.  Then, when that was over, Manson and his family could come out of hiding and Manson could rule both blacks and whites.

This book, told in the words of  Charles Manson, and many interviews with members of his "family", provides an alternate theory.   This theory is basically that Manson was out for revenge on anyone who "wronged" him.  When Manson shoots and thinks he killed Bernard Crowe because of a drug deal gone wrong, he needs his family to "get their hands dirty too" (to become complicit).  And this began a series of events with many more people dying, basically just to protect Charlie -- whether the actual killers knew it or not.  In conversations with Day, Manson seemed to fluctuate between agreeing he was a leader, and insisting he wasn't.  Apparently no one was forced to do anything they didn't want to do.  Everyone just wanted to please Charlie.  For someone that felt so wronged and misunderstood, his ego was big, and he believed none of his family would ever rat him out.   He compared himself to Jesus, to a messiah.  He did not like the term cult leader.  Charles Manson disputes many of the popular theories.  He says it was not a cult, it was a community.  They were not hippies, they were "slippies" - people who slipped under the awareness of society.  He insists they were actually just environmentalists who wanted to be left alone.

Charles Manson was a lot of things to different people.  He was an environmentalist, he was charismatic, he was a lover, he was paranoid, he was misunderstood, he was a killer.

Although I agree that Bugliosi's theory had flaws and that laws seemed to have been bent to make sure Charlie and his crew went to jail (and stayed there), there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Charles Manson got exactly what he deserved.  He was sentenced to two life sentences and eight death sentences, which were later commuted to additional life terms when California abolished the death penalty.  He died in jail.

When all is said and done,  the following people died at the hands of Manson and/or his "family":  Gary Hinman (34), Steven Parent (18), Sharon Tate (26) who was 8 1/2 months pregnant, Jay Sebring (35), Abigail Folger (25), Wojciech Frykowski (32), Leno LaBianca (44) and Rosemary LaBianca (38), Donald Shea (35)...those are the ones that we know of.



Further Opinions:  

Day did a good job of talking to a lot of people, and getting a lot of opinions and insights from different members.  He gave a brief synopsis of each member of the family at the end of the book, and where they are today.  He also provided a summary of each victim and the defence and prosecution teams.

The book was well written (if a little long).  I don't know if Day's theory was any more accurate than Bugliosi's theory.  I know it made more sense, but it too is just a theory, and I don't think anyone could ever know what really went on in Charles Manson's mind.

The final words of Charles Manson were confusing.  His words really haven't changed in all the years.  He still talked in riddles, nonsensical verbage that could be interpreted in many ways, although I believe Day got most of them right.  Sometimes I think Manson liked what Day said, so he jumped on it and agreed.

Overall, having read Bugliosi's book once or twice over the years,  this was equally as entertaining.  Neither one is a feel-good book -- how could they be when so many  people lost their lives.

For those that are familiar with the Manson story, and especially Helter Skelter, Hippie Cult Leader gives a lot to consider as to what really led to the murder spree 50 years ago. This new perspective will keep you thinking long after you've read the last page.

Thank you to NetGalley for my color of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Wow- what a fascinating read. It's so crazy to think that the author was speaking directly with Charles Manson and some of the other's involved in the murders and/or part of the Manson Family. I have read quite a few books on this topic and this one is a whole other level. I commend James on his courage to speak with Charles Manson and there is something utterly fascinating and chilling about hearing directly from Charles. James did not hold back on his questions and challenged Charles. I absolutely love the writing and how the story flowed- we get the background on the murders and descriptions of other key players pieced together with the interviews from Charles, some of Charles's friends and other members of the Manson family that were willing to talk to James. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Optimum Publishing for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

A very different take on the Manson Family and murders based on a series on phone interviews with Charles Manson, as well as time spent talking to other principles in the case. This book is highly readable and offers insights into Manson and the crimes that make a lot more sense than those posited by Vincent Bugliosi in Helter Skelter.

First, thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read many books on the Manson Murders and, of course, like anyone else fascinated by this "Helter Skelter" was the bible of the crime. I was only ten years old when this occurred so I didn't really come into the story until later but when I did I read everything I could and watched everything as well.

James Buddy Day does a great job in telling a thought provoking job of making you take a different view of not what happened because we pretty much know what happened but WHY. James asks Charlie Manson the tough questions - the questions we would probably ask if we had the spine and the opportunity to do so.

The interesting part of all of this is that 50 years later, would the trial still have been handled any differently? When you see docs like Making a Murderer or The Staircase you just have to wonder.

An great read and written so well you won't want to put it down. I finished it in one day it was that good!

Having recently saw Quentin Tarantino's movie, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, I was eager to learn more about the Manson murders, which occurred as I was starting my senior year in college fifty years ago. I appreciated the way James Day explains how the Manson Family came to be, a fact that's always been puzzling. Although many of the family members came from seemingly normal families, their family histories suggest that they could be viewed as what today we call throw-away kids.

Day also describes the crimes and the most plausible reasons these particular victims were chosen without offering moral judgement. Day also explains how the Helter Skelter theory made for a successful prosecution although it actually had no bearing on the case.

As a master manipulator born to an unstable 15-year old, Manson learned early on to how to survive while others cared for him. I was surprised that although according to Day Manson was barely 5'2" tall, Day doesn't mention how this might have affected his influence on others or his deep contempt for others who may have slighted him.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and I'm fortunate to have gotten to read this book early at a time when the new documentary on the Manson Women is being aired.

This books opened a lot of questions about the Manson trial I never had before. I would definitely recommend to anyone who is interested in the Manson Family.

As soon as I saw the title I knew I had to read this book. Thankfully the publisher granted my wish. I’ve always been intrigued by Charles Manson. Anytime I can get my hands on anything to do with them I do. This wasn’t my first Manson book but it was different then the rest. I really enjoyed it and it’s a must read for anyone interested in Charles Manson or any lover of true crime.

Oh Charlie Manson! For all his crazy antics and self righteous mumbo jumbo you still got life in prison and died in there like you deserved. With that being said, after reading this book and all the speculation on this case it just makes you wonder if this happened in this day and age if Charlie would have been sentenced to life in prison or the death penalty. I for one feel that it was a no brainer from the beginning but this author kind of makes you question our judicial system. This is a must read if you are any way a follower of the Manson murders!

I found this book really interesting.

I know a little about Manson and the Tate killing, but nothing too in depth. The author is essentially writing about the research than went into the making of a documentary about Manson in 2016.

He analyses the evidence presented in court and speaks to as many of the original 'players' as possible, including Manson himself.

He presents a different, but quite plausible chain of events, which differs some of the evidence presented in court.

The only thing I had problems with was keeping track of everyone - he used real names and their nick names interchangeably which at times was a confusing but not enough to cause too much concern.

It is written in a casual style, meaning it was an easy read - even if the subject matter was not so easy reading.

I found It to be fascinating read.

If your a true Charles Manson fanatic or just a serial killer fanatic, I highly recommend this book. Your skin will literally crawl.

I'm a true crime documentary enthusiast. I watch more than my share of DiscoveryID and True Crime YouTube Channels. I listen to true crime podcasts all the time. And, I read many, many related books and websites. Not to mention that my fiction library is mostly mystery novels. Given all of that -- of course I'm going to read a book about Charlie Manson's last interviews before he died in 2017!