The Manson Women and Me: Monsters, Morality, and Murder

Written by Nikki Meredith

Narrated by Andrea Gallo

In the summer of 1969, Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel carried out horrific acts of butchery on the orders of the charismatic cult leader Charles Manson. At their murder trial the following year, lead prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi described the two so-called Manson Women as "human monsters." But to anyone who knew them growing up, they were bright, promising girls, seemingly incapable of such an unfathomable crime. Award-winning journalist Nikki Meredith began visiting Van Houten and Krenwinkel in prison to discover how they had changed during their incarceration. The more Meredith got to know them, the more she was lured into a deeper dilemma: What compels "normal" people to do unspeakable things? The author's relationship with her subjects provides a chilling lens through which we gain insight into a particular kind of woman capable of a particular kind of brutality. Through their stories, Nikki Meredith takes readers on a dark journey into the very heart of evil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781501982033

Nikki Meredith

Nikki Meredith is an award-winning journalist, a licensed clinical social worker, and a former probation officer. She has been a feature reporter for the San Francisco Examiner, the Marin Independent Journal, and the Pacific Sun. Her work has appeared in Parenting, Psychology Today, Health, USA Today, and Utne Reader. She lives near San Francisco. Visit her at www.nikkimeredith.com.

Reviews for The Manson Women and Me

[irenecole · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

There's not a lot of new information on the Manson family (or Manson Women) contained in this book and for some reason the author has rambled on, jumping from decade to decade without much rhyme or reason. It's the 90s, then it's 2001 and then it's 1940 something and I am left wondering why I need to know that the author was having dreams about Hitler unless that somehow fits in with the ties they want to show that the Tate/ Labianca murders had something to do with being Jewish. I'm also not entirely clear on what the authors brother having been in jail has to do with anything. Maybe I dozed off. Sorry, there's nothing to see here.

I received an advance copy for review

[over.the.edge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The Manson Women and Me: Monster, Morality and Murder.
by Nikki Meredith
2019
Citadel Press
3.0/ 5.0

In 1996, journalist and social worker, Nikki Meredith began writing letters to Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel in prison. It took time to build trust. For over 20 years she continued to communicate with them, eventually meeting them in person and talking to them. She asked about Mansons reprogramming methods and its psychological influence on them. Leslie was more open and seems to have changed who she is and how she lives and has attempted to atone for her deeds.Patricia still believes her actions were justified, and there was nothing to attone.

Meredith ties the Manson womens crimes into her own life story of growing up Jewish, facing anti- semitism and shares the story of her brother, imprisoned from a robbery he committed as a youth.

This good, interesting, but a bit long. A good psychological study of the psychology of mind control and being evil.

[sheriawilkinson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Manson Women and Me: Monsters, Morality, and Murder by Nikki Meredith

Nikki Meredith, a journalist and Author of this book visits Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkle in prison over the course of 20 years. They are two of the women involved in the infamous Charles Manson murders.Her hopes are to learn what would make two (seemingly) normal girls commit such heinous crimes.

The story moves at a fast pace. It is not only an insight on the two women but a brief history of The Authors upbringing (family life) as well. With informative information, including photos, I was engrossed from the beginning. I highly recommend The Manson Women and Me: Monsters, Morality, and Murder to those who love crime/drama.

[loraineo_8 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read a few reviews of this book before reading it so I knew it focused quite a bit on the author's past, her feeling on numerous issues rather than focusing just on Leslie and Pat, 2 of the women who were in the Charles Manson cult. .Both were involved in the Tate/LaBianca murders. Ms. Meredith has been in contact with both women for over 20 years. She tries to understand how two nice girls from 'normal' families can become murderers and had no remorse for years. I enjoyed this book even though the questions remain unanswered.