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.
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.
I started and finished Under the Banner of Heaven yesterday, it was fascinating and engaging, but I kept stumbling over the author's clear distaste for religion generally and Mormonism specifically, it was like a nagging sensation that caused me to repeatedly pull up wikipedia to cross check his claims as I didn't fully trust him.
Just what I need, more books to add to the massive "unread" pile.
Does "I'll Be Gone In The Dark" hold up now that the killer has been identified and jailed? It's sadly ironic that McNamara passed away just before all her hard work got results.
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.
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.
I started and finished Under the Banner of Heaven yesterday, it was fascinating and engaging, but I kept stumbling over the author's clear distaste for religion generally and Mormonism specifically, it was like a nagging sensation that caused me to repeatedly pull up wikipedia to cross check his claims as I didn't fully trust him.
Just what I need, more books to add to the massive "unread" pile.
Does "I'll Be Gone In The Dark" hold up now that the killer has been identified and jailed? It's sadly ironic that McNamara passed away just before all her hard work got results.
I imagine it does hold up, though have not revisited. As for the massive pile: our lot in life, and not a terrible one
I just read it for the first time, and found that it was still a great read.
Oops, it’s Jon Krakauer
Gak - fixed! xx