Book Recommendations

[c.d.]

I just read "When Pride Still Mattered" by David Maraniss. A biography of the legendary football coach Vince Lombardi. I enjoyed it a lot. Lombardi was a very complex man and had human failings like the rest of us, but at turning losers into winners, he was unequaled. If you are a football fan, I highly recommend it. The description of the famous "ice bowl" game when the Green Bay Packers played the Dallas Cowboys was unbelievable. A game time temperature of 13 degrees below zero with a wind chill temperature of 46 degrees below zero.

c.d.

[Tom_Wescott]

Just finished "Manson in his own words as told to Nuel Emmons".
Absolutely fascinating.
Feel like reading it again right now!

I read this 20 years ago. It is a great book, but Manson says it's crap and that much of what he says was edited down for sensationalism or completely left out. You should read the book by Jeffrey Dahmer's father, Lionel. That one is very fascinating.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[DVV]

Hi Tom,

it just happens that I've read Lionel Dahmer a few weeks ago (and truly enjoyed it).
I'm aware of what Manson said, still, a good part of it can only come from him. (In fact, as usual, he has offered various judgements.)
The way the various Family members are portrayed, for example. Manson's contempt for Atkins is genuine and obvious.
His omissions are also most telling (just compare how he comes into details when he is raped, and how he escapes the topic when he rapes...).
More importantly, I take it as an antidote against Bugliosi and his Helter Skelter theory as the motive. It's certainly part of it, but should seriously be balanced. The motive given by Manson/Emmons (an attempt to have Beausoleil released by committing copy-cat murders) is no more outlandish than the Beatles.

But whatever its veracity, as you said, it's a great book.

I've also ordered the book of Susan Atkins and that of Tex Watson. And also that of Sanders.
Mansonology?!

Amitiés,
David

[Tom_Wescott]

Hi DVV. Have you read Zodiac/Manson Connection or the controversial 'The Family' by Ed Saunders? I have a VHS that shows the actual unedited crime scene photos. It's a mess.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[DVV]

Not yet, Tom.
San(u)nders book is already ordered, I'll get it within days, with Atkins and Watson.

I've read that Family member Bruce Davis (one involved in the Shorty Shea murder) had been suspected in the Zodiac case.

Amitiés,
David

[Tom_Wescott]

I believe it's Saunders and not Sanunders. Let us know what you think of these books.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[DVV]

Same difficulty with the Sanders and Saunders we encounter in the JtR case.

In fact, it's Sanders, like the medical student, and not Saunders, like the doc.
Sanunders was an ugly typo.

What interests me is the different levels of responsability and guilt. And the individual fate of each member.
The period is good too.
Indeed, I was born in August 69.

Must say I can't wait reading Atkins and Tex Watson.
I've seen a TV program showing Tex and the LaBianca daughter talking together. In fact, they became friends.
Poor Tex has become a born-again.
Not sure it's better than Charlie, for what I've seen in Africa.

Amitiés,
David

[doris]

The last non ripper book I really enjoyed was one that I found in a box of Ripper books that I bought.

It was called fabian of the yard, by a bloke called something fabian.

It was fascinating reading, a slice of early 20th century history with some criminal history from the same era,

doris

[DVV]

Susan Atkins, Child of Satan, Child of God

Just read it.
What a crap.
She denied stabbing Sharon Tate.
But surely met Jesus.

[Celesta]

Hi David,

I saw your rec on Mo Hayder. How do you rank Pig Island with the other books? I liked Pig Island but didn't find it all that difficult to solve the mystery, for lack of a better word.

I'm also reading The Postcard Killer by Vance McLaughlin. It's difficult to tell when McLaughlin is being dramatic and when he's got an actual source to back up his statements. Has anyone read this one?

[DVV]

Hi Cel,

I perfectly understand what you mean re Pig Island, I even feel the same...and perhaps more.
For not only I like Pig Island, but in fact it's my favourite.
It's also the first I read, and I remember being immediatly caught by her tone and subject.
I agree with you that the "mystery" isn't too much mysterious, except for the fact that its solution is partly fantastic - which, although not fully unexpected or completely new, is quite unusual in such novels.

But is it a "detective", "mystery" or "whodunnit" novel...
It somehow looks so, but is perhaps not.
In Mo Hayder's world, it seems that fantasies do inspire and conduct the story, whereas in detective novels, thrillers, etc, a primary logical sequence of events comes to be filled with obsessions, psychology, gore sections, etc.

I believe "Tokyo", for example, to be Mo's fantasized Japanese memories, rather than a gory/historical thriller.
I like all her books, but imo she should write novels like Pig Island and Tokyo rather than the adventures of Inspector Caffery and Flea Marley.

And if she wants to marry me, I'm free.

Amitiés ma chère,
David

[Celesta]

Hi David,

I knew "mystery" wasn't quite the word I wanted but couldn't think of a more descriptive one at the time. It's a fantasy-mystery. The atmosphere reminded me of Apocalypse Now. It had a "now entering Hell" quality to it. I definitely want to read more of her books, so "Tokyo" it is, I guess. I've picked up The Devil of Nanking a number of times but wasn't sure and put it back. Thank you, David.

Are you familiar with Elizabeth Hand, by any chance?

[DVV]

Hi again Cel,

no, I don't know Elizabeth Hand...I'll have to google a bit...

Another wicked pretty girl, like Mo ?

Amitiés,
David

[Celesta]

Hi David,

Yeah, you could say that. Actually, I have no idea if she's still alive or still writing.

[DVV]

One book I highly recommend is "Free Leslie Van Houten" by one DVV.
It makes you feel better, some say.