Book Review: Charles Manson Coming Down Fast By Simon Wells

Blurb from The Back Cover

LA, 1969, seven people senselessly butchered over the course of a summer; thin strands of evidence point to a hippyish cult and its delusional, Messianic leader, Charles Manson.

Little was known about this would be rock star and his peculiar “family” of young acolytes. But following a sensational court case, the full, horrifying story emerged, culminating in six of the cult members being sentenced to death.

Meticulously researched and bringing brand new information to light, Coming Down Fast charts Manson’s terrifying rise from small-time drifter to one of the most notorious figures in criminal history.

My Thoughts on The Book

I actually found this really hard to get into. I thought with so much going on in Manson’s life, the book would be fast paced and interesting.

At first, it delivered, telling how Manson was such a charming figure that people believed him and followed him blindly. The problem I had was that it told this story over and over again every time a new person joined the group.

For well over half of the book, Manson is depicted as an enigmatic, slightly delusional leader that wants nothing but peace and free love for all.

By the time it got to the part where the group takes a dark turn, I was bored of reading it.

Conclusion and Rating

I felt this book either needed to be cut by at least a third, possibly more or find something new to say. It was very repetitive. It’s a shame, because it was quite interesting in parts. 2/5

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