Without Conscience Charles Manson in His Own Words as Told to Nuel Emmons

by Charles Manson, Nuel Emmons (Editor)

Distilled from hundreds of hours of interviews, Manson's story reveals an enormous amount of new information about his life and how it led to the 1969 Tate-LaBianca murders, and provides grim insight into the making of a criminal mind. 16 pages of photos.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Biography, Memoir, History, Cults

222 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

American criminal who led the "Manson Family," a quasi-commune that arose in the U.S. state of California in the later 1960s.

He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit the Tate-LaBianca murders, which members of the group carried out at his instruction. Through the joint-responsibility rule of conspiracy, he was convicted of the murders themselves.

Manson is forever associated with "Helter Skelter", the term he took from the Beatles song of that name and construed as an apocalyptic race war that the murders were intended to precipitate. This connection with rock music linked him, from the beginning of his notoriety, with pop culture, in which he became an emblem of insanity, violence, and the macabre. Ultimately, the term was used as the title of the book that prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi wrote about the Manson murders.

At the time the Family began to form, Manson was an unemployed ex-convict, who had spent half his life in correctional institutions for a variety of offenses. In the period before the murders, he was a distant fringe member of the Los Angeles music industry, chiefly via a chance association with Beach Boy Dennis Wilson. After Manson was charged with the crimes, recordings of songs written and performed by him were released commercially; a number of artists have covered his songs in the decades since.

Manson's death sentence was automatically reduced to life imprisonment when a decision by the Supreme Court of California temporarily eliminated the state's death penalty. California's eventual reestablishment of capital punishment did not affect Manson, who is an inmate at Corcoran State Prison.

Reviews

[Always Pouting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles Manson is a person who comes with a whole host of associations, none of them particularly good but after reading this book and hearing his story on multiple podcasts I do think that, as he says in the book, the hype is artificial and unfair. I really don't think he has the ability to be an evil puppet master or manipulate others into murdering regardless of how much others try to say the culpability is all his. Charlie has spent only around 14 out of his 80 something years out of prison which is unacceptable, especially the treatment he endured at the Indiana reform school. I honestly still feel like vomiting thinking about the way things kept going wrong for him because there's actually no reason that this fate was inevitable for him. I'm not saying that he shouldn't be held responsible for his actions and yes he could have stopped the murders so he is in the wrong, but I don't think it's fair that he was put on death row when the only one person he actually "killed" didn't even die and he shot them in self defense. I don't understand how he became a scapegoat for the whole thing because really he's not responsible for other people's actions. Also the fact that he doesn't even have anything he could do if he got out of jail is the whole reason this problem started and even if he's let out now he has nothing because all he knows is jail. It's just completely frustrating because his hatred for the system and other people is totally valid and I can totally see why anyone would sympathize with him. Manson isn't some mythical charismatic pied piper and deserves only to be held culpable for his own crimes not those of everyone else involved with him as well. The media as always only managed to make a bad situation worse with sensationalism.

Also I saw someone bitching about how this isn't written by Manson himself, like obviously it's based off interviews he says through out the book he isn't completely literate, come on.

[N · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is terrible and should really be titled 'Charles Manson in Emmons Words.

Forget this pulp-fiction trash and stick with the only two books worth getting on the Manson case and the man himself -

* The Manson File: Myth and Reality of an Outlaw Shaman by Nikolas Schreck of which the 900 + page fully updated 2011 edition is currently only available from Schrecks website but WELL WORTH getting.

* Charles Manson Now by Marlin Marynick.

"Emmons took his life, and put that in my book..then he took my life, and wrote a second book with his name on it and said it was his life..so he's milked you for two books.. he's a good crook."

"Is there any way to stop (that) book? That thing has been a curse. It's destroyed us all, (and) ATWA for over ten years. That should be enough." - Charles Manson.

The most obvious evidence that the book is not really Manson's is that the words presented in the book are so unlike the diction of Charles Manson, spoken or written, that not even such notable Mansonphobes as D. A. Bugliosi and Ed Sanders believe that the words are his. This is not surprising, since the circumstances of the interviews that Emmons conducted for the book did not permit him to use a tape recorder (except rarely) or even to take notes. As a result of these limitations (and because of other motives Emmons may have had) much of what is presented as Manson's words (and presumably his thoughts) are really the words, thoughts, values, and perceptions of Nuel Emmons, not of Charles Manson. And many of the incidents described in the book never even occurred.

Complete waste of time. The two books recommended are Charles Manson Now by Marlin Marynick and The Manson File: Myth and Reality of an Outlaw Shaman by Nikolas Schreck. The latter book currently only available from Schrecks website but well worth getting alove ALL others.

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Article first published as Book Review: Manson In His Own Words by Charles Manson & Nuel Emmons on Blogcritics.


Say what you want, but Charles Manson fascinates me. I do believe he is crazy and should not be out walking around, but, still, something about him makes me want to try to figure out how his mind works and why it works the way it does.

Manson In His Own Words was a little bit helpful. Honestly, I don't know how much of it is accurate. The author Nuel Emmons says himself that he did not have a tape recorder or pencil or paper during the conversations, so he had to go by memory, writing things down when he returned to his car. That alone tells me that there is probably more of Mr. Emmons thoughts' or feelings than Charlie.

Reading about his childhood was heartbreaking. Imagine your own mother trading you as a child for a pitcher of beer. Your own mother turning you over to the courts because she didn't want to take care of you. Being in foster homes, reform schools and jail since you were twelve years old. Being abused in those places mentally, physically and sexually. How can that not have a negative effect on anyone?

Charles Manson definitely has a screw loose, but is he the evil incarnate that the media has made him out to be? Again, you have to read this with an open mind and take what is written with a grain of salt. I am not real sure how much of what Charlie says is reliable, but it was a very interesting perspective from what is supposed to be his point of view.

Charles Manson is now 77 years old, and he will again come up for parole in 2012. We all know that is a joke and he will never walk free again. When I look at this picture I see a sad old man, but that is just my opinion:

[Rachel James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all of the books I've read on Manson, this one is the least sensational and the most interesting, primarily of course because it was actually written in his words. Whether he's being honest or not, it's always compelling to hear a murder's version of events.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading a number of books about Charles Manson by many authors, this from his own perspective was worthwhile.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manson in his own words. Not the harbinger of the apocalyptic race war, I thought him to be. Just a man who spend half his life interned, hooking up with the sixties love generation. Who became later a victim of a media-hype and former friends snitching on him. Although he isn't 100% innocence.

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

I put off reading this one for ages because I expected it to be a collection.of Manson's pithy quotes. Was I ever wrong. This is close to a complete memoir of his life (up until his early 50s), including most of the story of the Manson murders. This book comes across as believable and it explains some areas of the story I'd almost given up on learning about. Well written by Nuel Emmons and very much worth your time. I don't know that I can believe every word Charlie says in here but it makes more sense than other versions of the story. Funny that Charlie, a diagnosed schizophrenic, seems so much less crazy than some of his biographers...

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one's culled from interviews, and is therefore told, to some degree, in Manson's "voice". Oddly enough, this book, more than others, should be taken with a grain of salt, as being a pathological liar is part of the culture of psychopathy that Manson is steeped in.

Given a relatively high star rating (I really wish we could use half-stars; this would be a 3.5) due to its entertainment value, rather than its veracity.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read his side of the story. Questions were also answered.

[Jessica Renea Brandon]

This book was simply amazing. Not the series of events mind you, but the book itself. These crimes have always fascinated me because they were like a puzzle. Happening out of nowhere, for no apparent reason. It's always amazed me because I want to know exactly what happens, and why. I want to know how someones mind works. This book explains all of it. And who better to tell it than Manson himself. The author is ridiculously awesome as well. The author was an inmate with Manson at one point in time and when he heard that he was in prison for a set of vicious murders, he figured he could be the one to tell his story since no one believed anything he had to say. Neil captures Manson's words so perfectly it's like you can hear Manson speaking himself. The writing itself is a masterpiece because it is so perfect. At times I felt Charles could maybe pop out and grab me! Completely different from Helter Skelter, and personally I enjoyed it more. Being from the actual masterminds point of view makes it much more interesting. Definitely recommend for a good read.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's difficult to tell how much in here is true because even by his own accounts, Manson was full of drugs for a few years of his life. He claims he has no special powers, no special abilities that caused people to do what he told them to. But when he talked, people listened. Most of the time, they were just as full of acid as he was. But they listened, and practiced what he preached. It was definitely an interesting read because most (if not all) other literature on the Manson murders tells the story from other perspectives, not Manson's. It's a rarity to hear his side of the story, inaccurate as it may be. To me, it just sounds like he was a product of a bad childhood, being in and out of prison and boarding schools since he was 11, and living free in the height of the 60s flower child days. AKA poster child for the life of a serial killer.

[Gared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manson in his own Words is one of the best books I have ever read. The autobiography put me through the childhood of the infamous Charles Manson. Manson in his own Words at some points made me feel disgusted at some points because of how absurd and unusual it was. It made me realize the pain that Manson has gone through as a child and how he searched for a true and innocent life. It has many memorable lines that show why Manson did acts as a child and as an adult. This autobiography felt as a Manson was narrating his childhood with commentary over it describing the after effects of it. This book must be one of the best books I have read in a while, and made me think about it days after closing it for the last time.

[exorcismemily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think these are "shocking confessions", and I don't think Manson is "the most dangerous man alive." However, this was a good read. There wasn't much that changed from the story I knew (mainly from listening to podcasts), but he definitely makes himself seem a little more innocent than he is at times. Everyone does that. Some parts were really disturbing, some parts were sad, some parts were amusing; there's a bit of everything in this story. I found the account of the ups and downs of the cult to be very interesting.

Don't expect anything crazy out of this book, but it's worth the read.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good to hear about Manson's life in his own words. How much is true we can't tell, but I did feel sorry for him a few times. He claims the worst he ever did was cut a man's ear off and pimp hoes. I believe him. Should he really be held responsible for what other people did of their own free will?

[Samantha Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this after I read Helter Skelter. This was Charles Manson's response to that book. This was his defense and his reasoning behind everything that happened. Whether you agree or not, it's a very intersting book to see how the mind of one of the most famous convicts ended up where he is.

[sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is awesome

[Marv · Rating 1 out of 5]

No parole for you buddy.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a pretty swift read but highly fictitious and skewed due to the authors personal projections and interpretations outweighing the actuality of Manson’s own perspective and recounting of events.

[Cassie Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to learn more about the case then you should read this book!

[Lusine Goroyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life of a madman...

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disturbing book, yet somehow unremarkable. The book is a result of many jailhouse interviews between Manson and a former convict. Manson's childhood sounds pretty awful; an illegitimate child, he was passed among family members while his mother was in jail, moved frequently as a young child while living with his mother, and was finally relinquished to a boys' home so that he didn't get in the way of his mother's relationships.

Aside from his time with an aunt and uncle who provided him with a decent, stable home, Manson really had no normal childhood. The state-run facilities he lived in after his mother gave him up were beyond awful. He definitely had a poor start to his life.

It seems that, for most of his life, Manson was a failure. He wasn't able to stay out of jail for long. He was a thief, but not a good one. Reminds me a little of the stories of Harry Truman or Abe Lincoln where they fail and fail before reaching the heights of leadership...except Manson's leadership took a different direction.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manson: In His Own Words by Charles Manson as told to Nuel Emmons (Grove Press 1986) (Biography). Charles Manson and Nuel Emmons were inmates in the same prison from 1956 to 1957 at Terminal Island and again at the McNeil Island Penetentiary in 1960. Emmons was released in 1964. He reestablished contact with Manson in 1979; their visits ran into “humdreds of hours of conversation.” Manson described his formative years and what led to the Tate / Labianca murders in 1969. That's what Nuel Emmons says anyway. My rating: 7/10, finished 7/14/16. I purchased this book from McKay's Books for $1.50 (PB).

[Timothy Holst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, he doesn't actually say he was innocent...

But it's filled with interesting stuff--particularly about his childhood and his (albeit whitewashed) version of the murders. Worth a look, but only after Helter Skelter...

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff! He really thinks outside the box. He forces us to look at ourselves. We are stinking liars so very often and so so deep inside.

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charles Manson as a human being first, convicted felon second. Behind every incarnation of evil there is a flesh and blood person, even Hitler had a mother.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whenever anyone thinks about books regarding the Charles Manson killing they always thing, "Helter Skelter". Back in the late 80s and early 90s I was a young girl always fascinated by true crime and serial killers in particular. This was before the days of just turning on your TV to find these stories. I actually had go in serve of information. I was, however, also a hotheaded teenager who refused to follow the crowd and do what everyone else was doing. Therefore when I realized another option as a way of learning more about Charles Manson and his crimes, hopefully beyond what EVERYONE else already knew from that afore mention novel, I went for it.

This book is a fascinating account of the event if the time, but as a depicted by Manson himself. The author was merely a catalyst used to get the words on paper, and it shows.

What makes this book so interesting is how the ordinary person listening to or reading Manson recall of the time will become almost horrified by how casually different events are recalled. It is not a book that shows a demon trying to appear innocent but actually a sadist narcissist who believe so highly of themselves that truly believe that they did nothing wrong even in the face of the fact AS THEY HAVE RECALLED THEM.

It's a great illustration of those tragic times that so many people are familiar with But, if considered carefully as reading, it a better case study into the Ming a dangers delusional man.

[Breanne Mackert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I flew through this book in less than 24 hours. Was it, in turn, nauseating, heartbreaking, horrifying? Absolutely. Like a train wreck you don't want to see but can't look away from.

My first realization is that the life Manson lived was absolutely a recipe for psychological breakdown and sociopathy. The blinding rage that was born in him is impossible not to understand once you know the details.

Of course, not everyone chooses to hurt others when they are hurt. Manson clearly expresses that he feels no empathy for those who died. The only thing he seems to mourn is the emotional connection (however fleeting) and the sense of freedom he had with those who chose to be with him.

What makes him despicable was illustrated to me when he described how he psychologically tied his first two women to him. His tactics scream narcissism. Sure, everyone is free to go. But he consciously made sure that they wouldn't.

He is both responsible and not responsible for what happened. Bizarre and fascinating read.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If anyone shares the same intense morbid fascination with true crime, or serial killers more specifically, that I do, then I’d highly recommend this book. As mentioned in other reviews, many things, if not everything, said by Manson are to be taken with a grain of salt because of his tendency to lie. That being said, it was definitely worth the read, accurate or otherwise. Due to the way Manson describes his upbringing in the book, I could more than see how he turned out the way he did. For most of his life, he was in a system that failed him repetitively and was rejected and betrayed by those he felt should be there for him. This book evoked emotions such as sympathy, disgust, amusement, and and sadness from me. Again, it’s important to analyze the things being said and to decipher whether or not they hold any water for yourself. But, the book was enjoyable, and again, I’d highly recommend it.

[Rylie]

This was one of the weirdest experiences I’ve ever had while reading a book. If I’m being honest, don’t read it. It’s disturbing and uncomfortable. I could have gone my whole life without knowing the things I now do about that man. From his accounts of being with underage girls to the murders, it filled me with anger. It also made me incredibly frustrated because he took absolutely no accountability and described everything without a trace of remorse. Of course, this wasn’t written directly by him, but something tells me he really did see nothing wrong with any of it.

However, it also made me sad. Reading about what he went through during his childhood was heartbreaking and made me sick. No one should have to experience anything like that, especially at his age. I have sympathy for him, but that doesn’t change how I feel about him. He still played a part in multiple horrible events and I’m glad he was held accountable in the end.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The general consensus among true crime buffs is that HELTER SKELTER is BS, and MIHOW is a bit closer to the truth. Personally, I think that’s just a case of “conventional wisdom” being borne of repeated assertions based in nothing. Comparing the two texts, the details are mostly identical, it’s just that the former maximizes everything Manson does in order to mine intent, while the latter has Manson minimizing everything he does in order to seem like his story could’ve happened to any old schlub.

Reading MIHOW, it’s easy to see how Manson’s powerful mix of ego, jail-forged street smarts, and overall lack of intelligence created the perfect storm of circumstances for him to stupid his way into causing (directly or indirectly) the deaths of many people, while pretty much ending the flower child era at the same time.