Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson

Library JournalEdgar finalist Guinn reexamines the life of Charles Manson, interviewing Manson's sister and cousin, who have not previously spoken out, and gleaning new information from childhood friends, cellmates, and Manson Family members. Guinn argues that while Manson spouted incoherent race-war rhetoric, the killings were in fact related to his failed ambitions to be a rock star. Many readers will be interested in grappling with the psyche behind the 1969 killings, a signal event in American cultural history; bound to get the considerable attention the 100,000-copy first printing anticipates.




The New York Times
- Janet Maslin
…[a] brawny, deep-digging biography that's much more riveting than might be expected…Mr.