Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Keese's avatar

I've now read most of these, if I had to pick only one it would be Helter Skelter, the story is simply so much more insane than I'd ever realized, and the book has some contemporary relevance in the author's descriptions of his own legal tactics (the author being the prosecutor in the case), as well as the incredible incompetence of law enforcement, a subject I would have expected a prosecutor to gloss over rather than hammer on. I highly suggest pairing this with a viewing of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, it's a great palate cleanser as well as an amazingly detailed portrait of what the area looked like at the time.

Expand full comment
Keese's avatar

I didn't find The Adversary frightening, more sad, with a large helping of "there but for the grace of god go I" due to an unpleasant recognition of some of the killer's traits in myself, particularly the putting more effort into avoiding a responsibility than it would have taken to just do it, though fortunately not to that extent. I did find the man's self justifications and purple prose difficult to read at some points, I think I hated him more for the narcissistic self pity than for the actual killings.

Expand full comment
6 more comments...

No posts