Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O'Neill (July 2020)

[Nigeyb]

Welcome to our July 2020 buddy read of....


Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O'Neill

A journalist's twenty-year obsession with the Manson murders brings shocking revelations about one of the most infamous crimes in American history: carelessness from police, misconduct by prosecutors, and even potential surveillance by intelligence agents. What really happened in 1969?

In 1999, when Tom O'Neill was assigned a magazine piece about the thirtieth anniversary of the Manson murders, he worried there was nothing new to say. Weren't the facts indisputable? Charles Manson had ordered his young followers to commit seven brutal murders, and in his thrall, they'd gladly complied. But when O'Neill began reporting the story, he kept finding holes in the prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi's narrative, enshrined in the best-selling Helter Skelter. Before long, O'Neill had questions about everything from the motive to the manhunt. Though he'd never considered himself a conspiracy theorist, the Manson murders swallowed the next two decades of his career. He was obsessed.

Searching but never speculative, CHAOS follows O'Neill's twenty-year effort to rebut the "official" story behind Manson. Who were his real friends in Hollywood, and how far would they go to hide their ties? Why didn't law enforcement, including Manson's own parole officer, act on their many chances to stop him? And how did he turn a group of peaceful hippies into remorseless killers? O'Neill's hunt for answers leads him from reclusive celebrities to seasoned spies, from San Francisco's summer of love to the shadowy sites of the CIA's mind-control experiments, on a trail rife with shady cover-ups and suspicious coincidences.

Featuring hundreds of new interviews and dozens of never-before-seen documents from the LAPD, the FBI, and the CIA, CHAOS mounts an argument that could be, according to Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Steven Kay, strong enough to overturn the verdicts on the Manson murders. In those two dark nights in Los Angeles, O'Neill finds the story of California in the sixties: when charlatans mixed with prodigies, free love was as possible as brainwashing, and utopia-or dystopia-was just an acid trip away.

[Nigeyb]

I've opened this discussion thread too


I think it's just Susan and I reading this one and, as I'm well underway, I thought I'd add a few thoughts as they occur to me

So far it's an interesting book. It's the first time I've come across someone challenging Vincent Bugliosi's version of events and the Helter Skelter race war narrative.

So far Tom O'Neill has amassed sufficient evidence to raise important questions that, apparently, Vincent Bugliosi chose to deliberately obscure.

[Nancy]

Nigeyb wrote: "I've opened this discussion thread too


I think it's just Susan and I reading this one and, as I'm well underway, I thought I'd add a few thoughts as they occur to me

So far it's an interesting b..."

Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to join in. I've just finished it.

[Nigeyb]

Nancy wrote: "I'd like to join in. I've just finished it."


That's wonderful news Nancy

I eagerly await your thoughts about the book - and anything else want to share

Have you read Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders? I read it a long time ago and found it fascinating.

[Nancy]

I have read Helter Skelter, eons ago, and I'll probably be reading it again shortly. A couple of days ago I ordered a copy of the "updated" edition, although I'm kind of wondering what was actually updated.

I'm going back through O'Neill's book, along with my notes, so I'll be adding more to this thread soon.

[Jan C]

My copy just came yesterday. Read the Bugliosi book years ago, probably when it first came out in paperback.

[Susan]

I have read the Bugliosi book as well. I thought it was excellent, so it is interesting to begin this book, which questions pretty much everything in those versions of events. I would have said that Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders was THE authoritative version of the crimes, so it is certainly a new look at the events. I am not sure what I will agree with yet, as I am not very far in.

[Roman Clodia]

I also read the Bugliosi book fairly recently but found it a bit wearisome as he did pretty much claim, if not quite in these words, that he'd single-handedly solved the case. That said, I found it all so horrific that I couldn't face reading another version. Do share what this book says as I'd be interested in hearing how it compares.

[Susan]

Well, the author of this book would definitely agree with your view of Bugliosi, RC.

[Nigeyb]

Quick question: What's the LSO?


I'm listening to a lengthy section about a raid on the Spahn ranch which took place before the murders in which the LSO could have arrested and charged Manson for various offences but, for whatever reason that didn't happen. Ton O'Neill finds it highly suspicious

Anyway I've lost track of who the LSO is. Can you help?

The something-beginning-with-L Sherriffs Office I expect

Online searches have proved fruitless

[Nigeyb]

I've worked it out. I've been mis-hearing the narrator.


It is actually LASO, which makes perfect sense....

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office

[Nigeyb]

This book is certainly exhaustive and a bit exhausting too


O'Neill has just been discussing Reeve Whitson, a possible CIA agent, who might have gone undercover as a hippy and got to know Mason. He was also, supposedly, a close friend of Jay Sebring, Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski. He also knew Charles Manson. and had the Tate house under surveillance before the murders.

If he really was all O'Neill claims it makes the story ever more murky.

[Susan]

I am currently on the part where the author is suggesting there is something suspicious in Bugliosi not wanting to tie in the Gary Hinman murder. That was certainly covered in Helter Skelter, as I recall.

I would agree that this book is quite exhausting, and it is difficult to know whether Bugliosi was right or wrong about something. Hindsight is a fine thing and this book seems something of a personal attack, at times.

[Nigeyb]

I'm over halfway through now and O'Neill is building more of a comprehensive case. There's a lot of detail though and some of it feels a bit extraneous.

I hadn't realised the extent and scope of the FBI's COINTELPRO (Counter Intelligence Programme) operations a series of covert, and most times illegal, projects aimed at surveying, infiltrating, discrediting, and disrupting domestic political organisations. Mainly black nationalist groups like the Black Panthers, but also many less radical groups too. It's jaw dropping stuff, and does lay the groundwork for Manson possibly being perceived as a useful asset by the Bureau.

[Susan]

I look forward to reading on. Certainly, you get a good sense of how the author is drawn into the story. It is as though he is compelled to uncover the truth, at this point.

[Nigeyb]

Yes, it's fair to say it's his life's obsession

[Susan]

It is interesting to hear that Manson obviously violated his parole and yet nothing was done. There are a lot of 'what ifs,' and mistakes. I am almost halfway through and not sure yet whether it is just an earlier time and mistakes were made, or it is something more sinister just yet.

[Nigeyb]

I agree.


It was certainly a febrile time.

The US authorities, and especially the FBI and CIA felt it was their duty to undermine the anti-war movement, Black Panthers and other such groups, and indeed anyone perceived as subversive. And they would use any method to further their aims, including framing people, murder, and disinformation.

This is all now a matter of public record

I'm assuming that where O'Neill is going with this is that given Manson was an avowed racist, that he was directly or indirectly involved in undercover operations against the Black Panthers.

He might even be going to suggest that they encouraged him to murder prominent members of the white liberal community and hope to implicate the Black Panthers. That sounds a bit of a stretch to me but let's see how it plays out.

Either way, it has really picked up for me now, and I am finding it a fascinating read again.

[Roman Clodia]

Ooh, I didn't know that this was going to be a conspiracy theory book - I'm so glad to hear about it via your reading.

It was certainly a murky time for the CIA - I didn't know the FBI were in on the act too.

Although this is slightly later, it's a telling background to On The Road.

[Nigeyb]

Thanks RC


That makes me even keener to pick up On The Road

It's actually the FBI COINTELPRO operations which are easier to find out about. There's even a section on the FBI's own website.

The CIA had a programme called CHAOS however as they were not supposed to operate domestic programmes this one is much more opaque. The secret program was exposed by investigative journalist Seymour Hersh in a 1974 article in The New York Times. Once this happened the CIA destroyed every file so there is still much about it that is unknown.

Here's the CHAOS Wikipedia page...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operati...

And here's COINTELPRO...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COINTELPRO

[Roman Clodia]

Gosh, CHAOS sounds fascinating and scary. I hadn't heard of it before.

It made me think of Kerouac and the Beats because while they were never political activists as such, they did write against postwar ideas of consumerism, conformity, conservatism and consensus (coincidence they're all Cs!) which also fed into Cold War paranoia and McCarthyism.

[Nancy]

Nigeyb wrote: "Thanks RC


That makes me even keener to pick up On The Road

It's actually the FBI COINTELPRO operations which are easier to find out about. There's even a section on the FBI's own website.

The C..."

Actually, there's a great book about COINTELPRO by Betty Medsger called The Burglary: The Discovery of J. Edgar Hoover's Secret FBI if you'd like to know more about it.

[Nigeyb]

Thanks Nancy - I'll investigate that title

[Nigeyb]

It is very striking just how lenient law enforcement was, to anyone associated with Manson, in the months and years leading up to the murders.

The case of Susan Adkins is especially odd - as it involves two separate judges behaving in a way that confounded all the probation officers involved

Tom O'Neill is winning me round with his diligent acount.

[Susan]

This book is really different to what I thought it would be. In effect, it is really O'Neill's gradual obsession and pulling apart of the case built up in Helter Skelter. If anyone is concerned about reading this, as they don't like True Crime, I would say that this is much less about the crimes itself, than the investigation following it. It is not graphic, or sensationalist, and yet the author really does draw you in.

[Roman Clodia]

I was concerned for precisely those reasons, Susan, but no, no, cannot be drawn into another buddy read right now! It does sound interesting though...

[Susan]

Me neither, RC. I am going to be very strong from this point on ;)

[Nigeyb]

I'm now immersed in Project MKUltra


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project...

American institutions were up to all kinds of chicanery during this period. Amazing that so many of these "experiments" were done on unwitting people.

It was quite a break for O'Neill getting access to Dr. Louis Jolyon "Jolly" West's archive. Jolly West being another of these shady characters who pop up all over the place in this book...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_J...

[Roman Clodia]

My goodness! That Project MKUltra... way beyond just shady and murky!

[Nigeyb]

Honestly RC, the things that the US authorities were up to during this era is jaw dropping.


This book is getting better and better. I'm gripped.

[Nigeyb]

I've finished.


Very good it is too.

Probably a five star rating - if not, a very strong four stars. I need to ponder it. Tom O'Neill really won me over by the end of the book and I particularly appreciated how he doesn't have any easy answers, just lots of questions. Lots of questions! And good ones they are too.

[Roman Clodia]

It sounds eye-opening - and I do like books that ask questions without necessarily closing them down in a tidy way by the end.

[Jan C]

Nigeyb wrote: "Honestly RC, the things that the US authorities were up to during this era is jaw dropping.


This book is getting better and better. I'm gripped."

US authorities are always up to shenanigans that we generally don't know about. Although sometimes we do. Hard to hide the Red Squad taking photographs of everybody during demonstrations in the '60s.

[Susan]

Odd you mention that, Nigeyb, as in the P.D. James book we are reading this month on Detectives, it is also mentioned how the police utilized somebody's flat in order to take photographs of those marching in demonstrations.

I am about halfway through this one at the moment and enjoying it, but not as gripped as I think you have been, although I think you also wobbled a bit at this stage, so it might pick up.

[Nigeyb]

I thought it really picked up around 60% when it becomes a much more personal story.


O'Neill has devoted decades to the book and he starts to wonder to what extent it was worth it and, ultimately, what he established. It becomes about the journey and not the destination. By the end I was completely invested in it.

[Susan]

Good to hear. Yes, I think he is at the 'bogged down,' stage at the moment.

[Nancy]

Jan C wrote: "US authorities are always up to shenanigans that we generally don't know about."

That is most certainly the case, and my guess is that what O'Neill discovered, mainly through FOIA, is probably just the tip of the iceberg. It's likely that he has much more information than he was able to use for this book.

[Nancy]

Nigeyb wrote: " It becomes about the journey and not the destination. "

I had the same feeling after finishing the book. I also think that it was in Chapter 11 where he sort of veered off course with the links to the Kennedy assassination before reining it back in at the end in Chapter 12.

[Nigeyb]

I have concluded that this is a five star read


Here’s my review

5/5

[Susan]

Great review, Nigeyb. I have been too busy to really give this the time it deserves, in retrospect. I will try to set aside some time every day, so I can listen properly, as it requires more attention than I have managed.

[Susan]

As I am currently listening to Chapter 8, I am currently at the part where Hoover wants to discredits any left learning organisations, plus the Black Panthers. Interesting how one book leads to another, but I wondered if you had read the brilliant Soul Trilogy by Stuart Cosgrove, which also looks at politics, as well as music, Nigeyb? There is:

Detroit 67: The Year That Changed Soul

Memphis 68: The Tragedy of Southern Soul

and

Harlem 69: The Future of Soul

You may have read them already, of course. As you enjoy well written music biographies, and are interested in history, I think these are definitely books you should look at, if you haven't already done so.

[Nigeyb]

I've got all those books Susan and really look forward to reading them. Just need to push them up the to read list


O'Neill also mentions Waiting for the Sun: Strange Days, Weird Scenes, and The Sound Of Los Angeles at the start of this book, which is another I'd like to read.

[Susan]

Good to hear, Nigeyb. Possibly a buddy read, a little later then? I would be happy to re-read.

I shall explore Waiting for the Sun as well.

[Nigeyb]

Watch this space Susan

[Susan]

Sadly, Waiting for the Sun is fairly expensive, and only in paperback. I shall see how tempted I am.

[Susan]

I am loving the parole officers reports. 'Mr Manson is making excellent progress,' when he had just been arrested again!

Plus, as you mentioned earlier, very odd that members of the Family, like Susan Atkins, were constantly being caught breaking parole and yet always seemed to be released...

I am on chapter 10 at the moment.

[Nigeyb]

It's about the point you are at Susan where this book really picked up for me.

[Susan]

Good to hear. I shall look forward to reading on.

[Susan]

Wow, the CIA really liked to self-experiment with LSD, didn't they? Slipping it into each other drinks. How irresponsible can you be? And they are the guys in charge...

[Nancy]

Susan wrote: "Wow, the CIA really liked to self-experiment with LSD, didn't they? Slipping it into each other drinks. How irresponsible can you be? And they are the guys in charge..."

Oh, it's much worse than just slipping LSD into each others' drinks. They gave it to mental and psychiatric patients without any sort of consent, they gave it to children, the list goes on. And in reality Sidney Gottlieb, the head of MK-ULTRA, answered to no one because the project was so secret that most of the government knew nothing about it.

Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control