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4th out of 266 books
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350 voters
The Manson File: Myth and Reality of an Outlaw Shaman
Summing up 25 years of Nikolas Schreck's research into the Charles Manson phenomenon, this Book of Revelations illuminates unknown dimensions of Manson as philosopher, musician, Gnostic mystic, Mafia fall guy, revolutionary, and friend, lover and drug dealer to 1960s Hollywood's best-known rock stars and movie idols.
The first comprehensive study of Manson's life, times, cr...more
The first comprehensive study of Manson's life, times, cr...more
Paperback, Apocalypse Edition, 991 pages
Published
2011
by World Operations
(first published March 1988)
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WHAT YOU GET PART ONE
Philosophy ("pagan" says the editor); Testimony (as given by Charlie in court); Music; Art; Selected Writings (stories & assorted rants) and Poetry (like the lyrics but more so); all of which is by Charlie himself.
Alas, perhaps it is no surprise to find out that Manson's "authentic voice" is greatly predictable. There are a few themes only, and he lays them on with a trowel.
WHAT CHARLIE SAYS
The Establishment (or "straight society" as it used to be called) comes in for s...more
Philosophy ("pagan" says the editor); Testimony (as given by Charlie in court); Music; Art; Selected Writings (stories & assorted rants) and Poetry (like the lyrics but more so); all of which is by Charlie himself.
Alas, perhaps it is no surprise to find out that Manson's "authentic voice" is greatly predictable. There are a few themes only, and he lays them on with a trowel.
WHAT CHARLIE SAYS
The Establishment (or "straight society" as it used to be called) comes in for s...more
Dec 12, 2008
Cwn_annwn_13
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
on-my-shelf-home-library
Probably the only out and out pro-Manson book that has ever been published. Contributers range from Manson sympathizers to out and out "family" members in essays and art. The good bulk of this book however is straight from Charles Manson himself. Interviews, quotes, transcripts of court and parole hearings, poetry and fiction written by Charles Manson, even artwork by him. The Manson File is probably the best book you can get to learn anything about Manson and his philosophy.
Although originally released in 1988, Nikolas Schreck essentially re-wrote what was the original book entitled "The Manson File." At nearly 5 times as long as the first printing of the 1988 book, the original texts are nothing but mere footnotes/appendix for the new material in this ambitious and obsessively constructed Manson masterpiece. Although I have written jokes at Schreck's expense in the past, I must admit that "The Manson File: Myth and Reality of an Outlaw Shaman" is easily the most i...more
I just finished this heavy, 900+ pager & I wish there was another 900 pages to go. Yes, it was that good. Schreck's writing is pretty flawless. He is not afraid to throw humor as well as sarcasm into this very serious study of the eternally-flawed "Manson Murders". He waxes eloquent on Manson's philosophy and ecology-based ideals while careful not to slip into a worshipful tone. This tome is enlightening and daring. Read it with an open mind and you will find your head spinning with new fact...more
Click here for my conversation with Michael Channels, currently in contact with Manson: http://www.mightymercury.com/home/277...
I found this last week checking behind my bookcase for something, and realized I'd never finished reading it. It's the most authentic overview of Manson's whole trip, equal parts foolish/evil/whatever and sensible--for instance he seems to have always had a deeply-rooted concern for the environment and ecology (sensible), but he also believes Hitler was Christ and Nazis...more
I found this last week checking behind my bookcase for something, and realized I'd never finished reading it. It's the most authentic overview of Manson's whole trip, equal parts foolish/evil/whatever and sensible--for instance he seems to have always had a deeply-rooted concern for the environment and ecology (sensible), but he also believes Hitler was Christ and Nazis...more
Apr 01, 2008
tENTATIVELY, cONVENIENCE
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime,
philosophy
I don't really have anything original to say about this. I'm only likely to add my voice to an already pretty substantial chorus of babble. This might be the most fair-minded compilation of Manson-related materials that I know of. I'd certainly recommend it over Bugliosi's "Helter Skelter" (wch I can't remember if I 've read but I've seen him on TV & that was disgusting enuf) or even over Ed Sanders' "The Family".
The people who compiled this know the subject. There's 'ephemera' here that on...more
The people who compiled this know the subject. There's 'ephemera' here that on...more
Aug 16, 2012
Smith White
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
crime,
true-crime,
criminals,
criminology,
murder,
serial-killers,
1960s,
anarchy,
fascism,
charles-manson,
helter-skelter
The best of the books I have read about Manson.
Most other authors seemed primarily concerned with making money (Bugliosi, Sanders, etc) or fell into the trap of using sensationalism even though their original works were, before editing, probably fairly good (Marynick, Emmons.)
Schreck seems to have remained completely academic in this work, and perhaps because he chose not to use a large scale publisher, managed to protect it from unnecessary fiction designed to make the work "exciting" (inaccura...more
Most other authors seemed primarily concerned with making money (Bugliosi, Sanders, etc) or fell into the trap of using sensationalism even though their original works were, before editing, probably fairly good (Marynick, Emmons.)
Schreck seems to have remained completely academic in this work, and perhaps because he chose not to use a large scale publisher, managed to protect it from unnecessary fiction designed to make the work "exciting" (inaccura...more
Aug 17, 2012
Tom
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
charles-manson,
california,
los-angeles,
crime,
true-crime,
entheogens,
drugs,
1960s,
hippies,
serial-killers,
radio-werewolf,
nikolas-schreck,
cults,
atwa
Essential reading for those who want to have as much information about the case as possible at hand. Not one detail is glossed over or left out- sometimes a retelling of a short event is summed up with 20 or 30 pages of details.
Also has some nice illustrations and a collection of material from Manson himself, including a transcript of the entire 1988 interview for the authors film on the subject.
Also has some nice illustrations and a collection of material from Manson himself, including a transcript of the entire 1988 interview for the authors film on the subject.
1 like · like · see review
Stunning book and by the far best unbiased book out their on the man and the case. Forget Vincent Bugliosi's pulp-fiction 'Helter Skelter' and in all honesty, the only two books worth reading on this issue are this 2011 edition of Schrecks Manson File is is fully updated and explanded to over 900 pages and Marlin Marynick's Charles Manson Now.
I cannot recommended this book HIGHLY enough.
I cannot recommended this book HIGHLY enough.
This was great! Very informative. If you want to know the truth read this and listen to what he says in interviews. Even if he acts in a way that would make you think hes crazy. we can all act this way and are all capable of what he is. Now we need to understand that what we're told on the news is b.s
We have to look into all of this ourselves.
And heres a good book to start with :)
We have to look into all of this ourselves.
And heres a good book to start with :)
Aug 13, 2012
Wylie Smith
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
murder,
true-crime,
serial-killers,
cults,
criminology,
counterculture,
drugs,
anthropology
One of (if not the) best work by Schreck, and the same goes for the Manson genre- also holds up well as true crime/ cult novel.
Definitely the longest book in any of these genres, one of the most professional- it's density and length may actually be daunting to the average reader, anyone without good english mastery may find the dictionary their reading companion.
Definitely the longest book in any of these genres, one of the most professional- it's density and length may actually be daunting to the average reader, anyone without good english mastery may find the dictionary their reading companion.
A truly good read- nice illustrations, and huge in size (so takes several days at least to read even for a seasoned reader.
The subject itself may seem narrow but it actually covers a variety of topics from the 60s themselves, to the mafia, to Mansonn's life, beliefs, and even primary source info from his own work.
The subject itself may seem narrow but it actually covers a variety of topics from the 60s themselves, to the mafia, to Mansonn's life, beliefs, and even primary source info from his own work.
Well worth purchasing- over 900 pages long so a but daunting (and the language used is sometimes dense) but it was a great book nonetheless.
A revision, essentially, of the 1988 Manson File by the same author- treats Charles Manson less like a loony fascist than an academic subject- which was a breath of fresh air!
A revision, essentially, of the 1988 Manson File by the same author- treats Charles Manson less like a loony fascist than an academic subject- which was a breath of fresh air!
Unlike most of the books about Manson it doesn't just focus on the man himself (or the case) but goes into hundreds of pages of detail about his various hollywood/ mafia connections.
One of only three good books on the subject- one of the others is ironically the other Manson File by Nikolas Schreck as well!
One of only three good books on the subject- one of the others is ironically the other Manson File by Nikolas Schreck as well!
Finally an objective book which gives a voice to those who have been demonised by the media for decades. The more I research this case the clearer it becomes that Manson was the patsy used to try to end the counter culture of the 60's. Anyone with a true interest in this case will be gripped. !0 out of 10.
Aug 04, 2012
Smith Steves
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
counterculture,
conspiracy,
true-crime,
1960s,
60s,
serial-killers,
satanism,
charles-manson,
occult,
cults,
drugs,
lsd
A little something for everyone- conspiracies, the mafia, drugs, insanity, witchcraft...
It must have taken a long, long time to do all this research considering not only the dense content (at times too dense for some readers) and the absolutely gargantuan size of the book itself.
It must have taken a long, long time to do all this research considering not only the dense content (at times too dense for some readers) and the absolutely gargantuan size of the book itself.
Mar 12, 2013
Jason Pastor
added it
I read the original back in 1990, and it did give some insight into the mind of Manson. That being said, the pro-Manson commenters need to get a grip. I said some of the same things when I was in high school and trying to project a scary image, but then I grew up
Aug 15, 2012
G Wazoo
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
serial-killers,
true-crime,
cults,
1960s,
counterculture,
anarchy,
fascism,
criminology,
criminals
This book makes up a trilogy of books on the subject which are readable and not full of nonsense- along with Marynicks "Manson Now" and Emmons "Manson in his Own Words."
This is however much larger in size, and covers far more topics than the other two.
This is however much larger in size, and covers far more topics than the other two.
Finally a more fair and balanced account about Charles Manson and his alleged deeds, brainwashing et cetera.
This book doesn't rely on the phantasy of the author. It sticks to the fact and doesn't revert to the weird theories other authors have done.
This book doesn't rely on the phantasy of the author. It sticks to the fact and doesn't revert to the weird theories other authors have done.
The author does a fantastic job portraying the case in such a light that it was at once comprehensive and yet comprehensible.
SOme of the material by Manson was the usual ranting hobo rubbish, but most of the rest of the book was amazing.
SOme of the material by Manson was the usual ranting hobo rubbish, but most of the rest of the book was amazing.
Aug 14, 2012
Susan Higgs
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
serial-killers,
true-crime,
counterculture,
1960s,
murder,
anarchy,
fascism,
crime,
cults,
conspiracy,
mafia
The best work to date on this (rather broad) subject, broad because it goes into minutiae that other works on Manson prefer to avoid- most works cover his spirituality, or his politics, or the murders themselves, but this book covers all three.
by far the best book ever written about charles manson. it unveils the truth about what really happened and turns down all the myths that have been going around this case. nikolas schreck goes back and rewrites history. amazing book!
Definitely the premier book written about the Manson case- all others fall far short of this 900+ page marvel.
Not only does it expose the nitty gritty truth about the case and the aftermath, but also Manson the man and myth,
Not only does it expose the nitty gritty truth about the case and the aftermath, but also Manson the man and myth,
Aug 17, 2012
Ted M
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
charles-manson,
los-angeles,
california,
murder,
serial-killers,
true-crime,
cults,
drugs,
anarchy,
fascism,
counterculture,
criminology
A very good book overall, the writing style is slightly dry but that is sometimes a good thing because it makes it more academic.
Don't expect many grotesque fantastic stories, it's a bit like a college lecture.
Don't expect many grotesque fantastic stories, it's a bit like a college lecture.
Helpful for the completist looking for obscure material about Manson. Suffers from sloppy presentation and puerile pro-Manson stance. Sure to be the bible for poseurs trying to show how edgy they are.
A very good book, reading it for the third time.
Basically destroys the helter skelter theory put forth by Bugliosi- also helps clear up some other misconceptions revolving around Manson, overall a good read!
Basically destroys the helter skelter theory put forth by Bugliosi- also helps clear up some other misconceptions revolving around Manson, overall a good read!
This Book is essential to ALL people wanting to know the truth about Charles Manson,read with an open mind.
Schreck has done an amazing amount of research and written a masterpiece.
BUY IT,READ IT!.
Schreck has done an amazing amount of research and written a masterpiece.
BUY IT,READ IT!.
Aug 02, 2012
Chris Kaspers
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
charles-manson,
cults,
1960s,
60s,
drugs,
lsd,
true-crime,
true-story,
serial-killers,
conspiracy,
criminology
Infinitely better than Bugliosi's "Helter Skelter" pulp trash, this book is unlike most in the genre because you will actually find it interesting enough to read more than once.
Aug 12, 2012
Jonathan M
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
crimonology,
true-crime,
1960s,
serial-killers,
charles-manson,
drugs,
mafia,
cults,
counterculture,
anthropology,
murder,
hippies
An excellent tome, dedicated to breaking the many myths revolving around everyone's favorite hippie fascist brainwashing third grade dropout.
One of the best books I ever read. I loved the details about Manson in the psychedelic and post-hippie eras, sixties fans would love this book.
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| Searching | 1 | 5 | Aug 23, 2012 09:24pm |
American writer, musician, film-maker, and spiritual teacher whose work focuses on magic, mysticism, mythology and the macabre. Schreck is married to Zeena Schreck (Formerly LaVey) the daughter of the founder of the Church of Satan, Anton Lavey
Together with his wife he founded the Sethian Liberation Movement and wrote books about sex magic, portrayal of Satan in cinema and Charles Manson.
He is als...more
More about Nikolas Schreck...
Together with his wife he founded the Sethian Liberation Movement and wrote books about sex magic, portrayal of Satan in cinema and Charles Manson.
He is als...more
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Jan 20, 2008 01:10pm