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The Last Charles Manson Tapes: Evil Lives Beyond the Grave
Fifty Years After the Sharon Tate/Labianca Murders, a New and Terrifying Investigation into the Modern Rebirth of Charles Manson’s Killer Family
Perhaps the most notorious American murderer of the twentieth century, Charles Manson’s legacy extends far beyond his horrific crimes. As the wild-eyed, swastika-tattooed, nightmarishly charismatic leader of the Manson Family, he was convicted of the brutal killings of nine people in 1971…including the Tate-LaBianca murders of seven in Los Angeles over two hot August nights in 1969.
He spent the rest of his life in prison, and for the next fifty years preached his twisted philosophies from jail, attracting a whole new batch of freaks to his way of thinking.
In The Last Charles Manson Tapes, authors Dylan Howard and Andy Tillett examine the Manson legacy. With brand new interviews with those closest to him, including Manson’s heirs, friends and followers, experts and historians, and hours of exclusive transcripts of Manson’s own manic preachings from his prison cell, you’ll get to view a side of this serial killer few have ever seen.
Manson’s passing in 2017 has sparked into action a new generation of killer disciples, obsessed with the evil slaying spree he ordered and determined to carry on his “Helter Skelter” vision of an apocalyptic war. With the author’s on-the-ground investigation, learn how the man once described as “the most dangerous man in America” may yet live up to that name.
Perhaps the most notorious American murderer of the twentieth century, Charles Manson’s legacy extends far beyond his horrific crimes. As the wild-eyed, swastika-tattooed, nightmarishly charismatic leader of the Manson Family, he was convicted of the brutal killings of nine people in 1971…including the Tate-LaBianca murders of seven in Los Angeles over two hot August nights in 1969.
He spent the rest of his life in prison, and for the next fifty years preached his twisted philosophies from jail, attracting a whole new batch of freaks to his way of thinking.
In The Last Charles Manson Tapes, authors Dylan Howard and Andy Tillett examine the Manson legacy. With brand new interviews with those closest to him, including Manson’s heirs, friends and followers, experts and historians, and hours of exclusive transcripts of Manson’s own manic preachings from his prison cell, you’ll get to view a side of this serial killer few have ever seen.
Manson’s passing in 2017 has sparked into action a new generation of killer disciples, obsessed with the evil slaying spree he ordered and determined to carry on his “Helter Skelter” vision of an apocalyptic war. With the author’s on-the-ground investigation, learn how the man once described as “the most dangerous man in America” may yet live up to that name.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published November 26, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 22, 2025
Not as comprehensive as Helter Skelter, The Last Charles Manson Tapes still had enough interesting information not to be boring or a rehash of the most famous book about Manson.
This one delves deeper into Manson's childhood and his life behind bars, but I did feel at times as though the authors were trying to excuse what he did, often withholding things Manson said to make himself appear slightly less evil.
For example, on the night of the LaBianca murders, Manson originally chose a different house, but changed his mind because he saw photos of children inside. When he returned to the car, he explained to his followers, but then told them that they would have to murder children one day. There is no mention of him saying this in this book.
The details of the murders are much more candid in this book as well, hearing what these people did to Sharon Tate in particular made me nauseous. I could almost feel the terror their victims must have felt.
The narration by David Linski in particular is excellent and really kept my interest. The final chapter is a dramatisation of an interview Manson did, the voice work is very good, especially from the man portraying Manson. It was the best way to showcase how unhinged he was. He would randomly break into song, or say nonsensical rhymes as if they made perfect sense.
No wonder his followers were mostly as cracked as he was; one would have to be, to understand what he was preaching about. What a bizarre moment in history, and may we never see the like again.
This one delves deeper into Manson's childhood and his life behind bars, but I did feel at times as though the authors were trying to excuse what he did, often withholding things Manson said to make himself appear slightly less evil.
For example, on the night of the LaBianca murders, Manson originally chose a different house, but changed his mind because he saw photos of children inside. When he returned to the car, he explained to his followers, but then told them that they would have to murder children one day. There is no mention of him saying this in this book.
The details of the murders are much more candid in this book as well, hearing what these people did to Sharon Tate in particular made me nauseous. I could almost feel the terror their victims must have felt.
The narration by David Linski in particular is excellent and really kept my interest. The final chapter is a dramatisation of an interview Manson did, the voice work is very good, especially from the man portraying Manson. It was the best way to showcase how unhinged he was. He would randomly break into song, or say nonsensical rhymes as if they made perfect sense.
No wonder his followers were mostly as cracked as he was; one would have to be, to understand what he was preaching about. What a bizarre moment in history, and may we never see the like again.
April 4, 2021
Needed some reading material while rearranging my book shelves. I am familiar with The Family and the case so there wasn't much new info in here but I did enjoy the book. I liked the audio narrator as well.
February 25, 2020
A decent book for a documentary. I already knew a lot of the facts but wanted to check it out. Fast book to read.
Read
February 2, 2021So Bizarre....
April 13, 2024
I wish I could give this less than one star. I honestly can't understand how this was published. The book has chapters, yet there's no point to them since the author just dumps random information out as he sees fit. I don't think anyone edited this either due to the amount of grammatical errors there were. It just feels like this was written in a few hours by acquiring facts off of Google, copy and pasting them in random places, and calling it a day. It's literally not even close to resembling chronological order.
Thankfully I already knew the whole story of what Charles Mason had done because if I didn't, I would have been totally lost. The author assumes the reader already knows and eludes to the murders several times in the first chapter or two but yet goes into zero detail.
If you are reading this review prior to reading the book, save yourself some time and please read ANYTHING else.
Thankfully I already knew the whole story of what Charles Mason had done because if I didn't, I would have been totally lost. The author assumes the reader already knows and eludes to the murders several times in the first chapter or two but yet goes into zero detail.
If you are reading this review prior to reading the book, save yourself some time and please read ANYTHING else.
December 30, 2024
Not as sensational as I had anticipated. And not a collection of interviews, as I had expected. Instead, it’s a relatively cogent, balanced, if paint-by-number bio of Manson, 80% focused on 1969-1970, as you’d expect. Benefits from being published in 2019, so it covers the complete arc of Manson’s life. Steers clear of the conspiracy whirlpool that consumed the second half of the book, “Chaos.”
Why is it called the Manson Tapes? The last 40 minutes or so is a well acted reading of a transcript of one of Manson’s last interviews with someone who feels a little too patronizing. Interesting, but nothing revelatory.
Why is it called the Manson Tapes? The last 40 minutes or so is a well acted reading of a transcript of one of Manson’s last interviews with someone who feels a little too patronizing. Interesting, but nothing revelatory.
March 13, 2025
Wow this book is very underrated. I’ve read helter skelter, chaos and others … and this book still had a lot of new information. If you’re interested in the case but want a good summary without reading helter skelter (which is much longer and more “biased”) you should read this. I could tell the authors did a lot of research into all aspects of this case and the individuals involved. I learned so much about the events and the family. Definitely worth reading
July 18, 2026
I haven't read any books about Manson since Helter Skelter came out.
This book is an ok follow-up for what happened to Manson and his "family" after they were all arrested.
A totally unhinged Manson gives an interview in the epilogue.
This book is an ok follow-up for what happened to Manson and his "family" after they were all arrested.
A totally unhinged Manson gives an interview in the epilogue.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews