Charles Manson: Conversations with a Killer: Manson's Life Behind Bars

by Edward George, Dary Matera

This is the gripping story of the real Charles Manson as told by his long-time prison administrator, counselor, unofficial "press agent," and confidant, Ed George.
 
“Throughout my life, people have asked me about Manson. . . .
‘Does he have hypnotic powers?’ ‘Does he have a diabolical charisma?’ . . .
‘Is he crazy?’ My response is that for some people, the answer to all of the above is yes—except for the last question.” —EDWARD GEORGE
 
Charles Manson was perhaps the most infamous criminal of the twentieth century. Convicted for orchestrating the shocking Tate-LaBianca murders in 1969, and for two other killings, there has been much written about him. But not many people knew him as well as Edward George, who over years of conversations with Manson as his prison administrator, counselor, unofficial “press agent,” and confidant, gained deep insight into Manson’s mind-set. In this updated edition of George’s riveting account, he illuminates the many sides of Manson: charismatic cult leader, master manipulator, calculated “showman,” sly trickster, and more. George and his coauthor, Dary Matera, begin by detailing the troubling events of Manson’s youth, the historic 1969 murders, and the subsequent trial that ended an era. They then pull back the curtain on the intense reality of Manson’s turbulent life behind bars and the events that have transpired since the initial publication of this book in 1999, including Manson’s death in 2017.
 

Genres: True Crime, Crime

384 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2020

Reviews

[Maggie Hundshamer-Moshier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of people might come at me for this review but it is how I see it.

I can fully understand how Charles Manson had people under his spell. If the words written in his words came out as they are written in the book it is very believable. He’s an extremely quotable man. I am not sure if these were recorded conversations word for word but they were powerful. The first and strongest to stand out to me was:

“You think you know me, Ed, but you don’t. That’s because I am many different people. I’m god to my friends, I’m the devil to my enemies. When I’m bad, I’m ‘the black pirate’. When I’m peaceful I’m taking care of my flocks, I’m ‘the gardener’. When I look into the future I’m ‘the prophet’. When I must lay down the law for our earth, I’m ‘the son of man’. And these are only some of my beings.” Charles Manson in the text.

His words can apply for any human really if you think deeply enough. I wholeheartedly believe this man should have been in prison for his manipulation of others because it’s one of the strongest weapons humans use without physically harming someone. However this man should not have been given as many chances as he had or been allowed as many privileges as he did. This dude put those officers at risk all the time just to be friends with Manson.

This book was well written, well plotted, very quotable, and very insightful in the mind of a man this screwed up. It pains me to see the wreckage he left behind.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

*As this is nonfiction there aren’t “spoilers”*

”Knowing Charlie up close and personal was a life-changing experience. Looking back, I would do it all over again. Sounds crazy, but true. I’m resigned to living with the literal and figurative nightmares that have never abated. That is the price I pay for dancing with the Devil in the pale moonlight.”

While reading Charles Manson: Conversations with a Killer I was struck by how the author sounded like one of my college professors who taught sociology. That Professor also wrote many books on the subjects of prisons and inmates and getting to know them. He even convinced me to take a college class that was taught at the prison for both inmates and college kids. I honestly think that this book would have weirded me out otherwise.

What I truly mean is that a lot of people that have read this particular book State that it was uncomfortable because it almost seemed like our author and Charles were really close and had a bonded friendship. I can see how uncomfortable that could make people.

When I started this one, I thought it would be about Charles Manson’s life and conversing with him about the heinous crimes he committed. It was not even close. Conversations with a Killer is about the authors thoughts feelings, and daily dealings when it came to Manson. I think it was a pretty unique perspective.

Overall, I will be keeping this one on my shelves as it is a very interesting read.

[Anna Ketcham · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was ok. I don’t know that it’s the best or most insightful read on Charles Manson but it was ok. The author’s infatuation and friendship with him was a little uncomfortable to read about.

[Harmony]

(No rating)

Hm… maybe not the best book to read if you’re looking to learn about Manson. The author’s constant blaming and at the same time sympathizing of Charles Manson was kind of uncomfortable to read. Also for some reason I wasn’t that intrigued by this book? I never reached to pick it up, and it put me a wee bit of a book slump. I think the storytelling could have been better as well. At least I learned a lot about Charles Manson!

[Donald Paulsrud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, but it is basically the author patting himself on the back for everything he did while Manson was under his watch. As far as anything new about Manson there is some good info in this book. I was expecting the book to be more about Manson while he was in prison, but the majority of the book is about the author. Not the best book out there on Manson, but not the worst either.

[Shamus Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read. Interesting look into true crime from someone with direct access to the subject at hand.

[Kaylee Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was an interesting view on Manson, it got dry in some spots, but otherwise, it was an interesting read.

[Charlie West · Rating 2 out of 5]

Same Manson rhetoric

[tuttle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to dnf this god awful book. Almost 50 pages in and all this man had talked about was his life and how is job was on the line because of Manson and the whole “family”. Not what I wanted at all. It also probably didn’t help that I’ve never held any interest in the Manson case at all. In all this sucked and I never plan on finishing in.