Preview
  • Hippie Cult Leader

  • The Last Words of Charles Manson
  • By: James Buddy Day
  • Narrated by: Russell Newton
  • Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (29 ratings)

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Hippie Cult Leader

By: James Buddy Day
Narrated by: Russell Newton
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Publisher's summary

For 50 years the legendary Manson Family Murders have fascinated and mortified all. No one could understand why such brutal acts of cold-blooded murder could have taken place in Hollywood and that women played a key role.

James Buddy Day is the last author to have interviewed Charles Manson to get his perspective on what the prosecution and his conviction for murder was when he was 40 miles away when both acts were committed. With over eight hours of interviews with Manson you get an in-depth perspective on who really was Charles Manson the most famous convicted mass murderer of all time. Did he stand for anything or was he just a cold and heartless person who had spent his entire life in the prison system? The answers will shock you.

This audiobook will appeal to listeners searching for facts and truths about the most iconic mass murder of the 20th century. You will get to know Manson through the pages of Day’s book.

©2019, 2020, 2021 Optimum Publishing International (P)2019 Optimum Publishing International a division of JF Moore Lithographers Inc.
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Critic reviews

"True crime documentarian Buddy Day was eating chicken wings in a noisy restaurant when his mobile phone rang. Charles Manson was calling. That quick conversation with the notorious murderer led to a year's worth of phone calls between Manson and Day, an award-winning film, and now Day's book, Hippie Cult Leader: The Last Words of Charles Manson. Through hours of conversation with Manson, Manson Family members and their attorneys, friends, and Manson prosecutor Stephen Kay, as well as in-depth study of trial transcripts, police records, and media coverage, Day applies rational thinking to insane acts to create an alternative motive behind the horrific murders of Sharon Tate, Abigail Folger, Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Parent, and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. The result is an intriguing and thought-provoking read. (Suzy Spencer, New York Times best-selling author)

What listeners say about Hippie Cult Leader

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Worth reading if into the case

There are books to read before this one, but if you're well versed in the history, you should listen to this book. The thing that makes the book special is that the author had access to Manson in the later years, when for the most part he was done doing interviews.

The book is written as the story of the author's experience talking with Manson and researching for a documentary. As such, there are some superfluous bits which are intended to make the book personal and are at various times both corny and beneficial.

As is common with Manson books, the stories are told with authority but differently from other accounts. He gets a few details wrong for certain, and it’s hard to know what to make of others which may or may not be reality. He is getting the latest versions from a number of people involved (including Manson), and this must be kept in mind.

Personally, I often find that I am dismissive of a Manson book at first but end up seeing it as legit. That is certainly the case here. People are going to be skeptical of anyone who claims to have a “new theory,” about the case. But I have to be honest, there are some parts of his theory that I haven’t heard before.

The narrator is fine.

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

I’m something of a self proclaimed Manson historian

And this wasn’t really anything new by any means. But it did kind of clarify a lot of the more lucid ramblings of Charlie. The trick is to realize he uses double speak, but does not lie. He’s very matter of fact but also somewhat metaphorical. He definitely had a unique mind, and unique way of expressing himself. People will remember his names long after Sharon Tates probably. Good book altogether.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Interesting

interesting Theory. The author makes many Fair points on some inconsistencies. but he also makes many factual mistakes and even contradicts himself. Case in point, he says Diane Lake was 13 when she met Manson then later says she was 14. That's a simple fact that he should get correct. the rest of the book is full of multiple examples like this but something this simple should show you where his theories are based.

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

Helter Skelter?

Pros: sees through the Helter Skelter nonsense.
Cons: not much new insight otherwise.
Oh, yeah - and that narration is pretty horrible. This guy’s Manson and Nixon impersonations are about enough to make you return the book as a complete turkey.

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