Taming the Beast: Charles Manson's Life Behind Bars

Rating:
Summary: good vs. evil
Review: A well done project.I really liked the author,and liked the way his kind nature contrasted with that of evil man-sin.A must for those curious about this subject,it will be a good addition to your collection.plus the side story about a guy named pincushion is bizzare ,yet hilarious

Rating:
Summary: Continues where Helter Skelter left off
Review: After reading the book I am left with the view that here's another guy trying to cash in on the Manson name...I'm surprised that he stopped short on blaming the sinking of the Titanic on Charles Manson! A near drowing and a broken nose and the fingers start to point at Manson? The last section of the book is the regurgitated court transcripts of the parole hearings...at least we can read what Charles Manson had to say straight from the horses mouth!The rest of he book is too bizarre...

Rating:
Summary: Taming the beast or spreading the lies?
Review: Edward George is still a child. He is still a little boy. Manson had no interest in Ed George. Because Ed George refused to grow up and stop crying about his father, he ran to Manson, looking for a father. Ed George saw that Manson was strong, that Manson could stand on his own and deal with prison, which Ed George could not. Manson was honest. Manson could have escaped prison easily, but wouldn't. When Manson twice found keys to escape the tier he was in, he handed the keys to officers. Manson found contraband weapons and gave them to Ed George. Every step of the way, Manson was the most honest man in San Quentin. This blew Ed George's mind because at every step, Ed George would lie to the warden of San Quentin to get over on the prison staff and get his way. Manson would always be honest with Ed George. Ed George had never met an honest man in his life, and had never been one himself. Ed was so used to being a liar, that when he met Manson, he went into shock, following manson around the tier of the prison, hanging on to his every word. Ed George could have learned from Manson, could have changed, could have become honest with himself and had a real relationship with his wife instead of lying and hiding from her, but he refused Manson's advice to do so. Ed George abused his children by lying to them and beating them, and then blamed Charles Manson for his abusive, self-hatred and depression. Ed George blames Manson for beating his own family, when Manson never even met Ed George's family. All though the book, Ed George admits that Manson was being honest, helping Ed George overcome his dishonesty with himself and realize his true potential in life. At each step when Ed George could have changed his life for the better, (with Manson's help) Ed instead would insult Charles Manson in the book and blame Charles Manson for Ed Georges personal refusal to take responsibility for himself and quit a job he hated. Ed George came to resent Charles Manson for helping Ed George. Ed just didn't want to face the truth in himself. Charles Manson never refused to give advice to Ed, even at the risk of Charlies own personal safety from jealous inmates who resented (and would gladly have killed Charlie as fast as they could get their hands on him for helping Ed George)that Charlie was taking the time to help Ed through a deep personal crisis about his own self-doubt and inadaquecies. What was truly pathetic at the end of the book was how Ed George admitted to Charlie that he was going to write a book smearing Charlie, after all Charlie had done for him. Charlie could easily have had some zombie freak outside the prison kill Ed George, but Charlie refused to do so, even when Ed George betrayed Charlie. Whose the real criminal here? Ed should be ashamed of himself for betraying a friend, which Manson really was to him, and why should Manson have been friends with Ed George in the first place, who was using Charlie to beef up Ed's own insecure, depressed personality? Worth reading if only to learn about how incredibly corrupt the American prison system is, how totally corrupt the administration and staff in prisons are, and how prisoners, like Charles Manson, who were trying to reform, were used brutally by prison staff (yes, ED George, you were one of the users). I'm surprised the entire American prison system isn't trying to bury this book for unwittingly exposing the travesty of justice which is the United States prison system.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book
Review: For anyone who has ever wondered what life is really like for one of America's most infamous criminals, Charles Manson, I would suggest you pick up a copy of this fascinating book. This booknot only presents to the reader a very thorough look into Manson's life behind bars, but it also shines a bright light on what life is like at some of America's most dangerous penal institutions. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book. You won't regret that you did!

Rating:
Summary: Almost as fascinating as Helter Skelter
Review: The 'mystique' of Charles Manson that was brough out in Helter Skelter pretty much goes away w/ this book, written by Edward George, a former prison counselor. It gives the reader a glimpse of Manson's life as he was incarceratedfor the Helter Skelter murders. Whereas Helter Skelter was more about the trial, this book reflects a lot more on Manson's life both in and out of prison. It also contains transcripts from several of Manson's parole hearings. Serves as the perfect companion piece to Helter Skelter.