Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties

Written by:
Tom O'neill
Narrated by:
Kevin Stillwell

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
110
Narrator
31
Release Date
June 2019
Duration
16 hours 17 minutes
Summary
A journalist's twenty-year fascination with the Manson murders leads to shocking new revelations about the FBI's involvement in this riveting reassessment of an infamous case in American history.
Over two grim nights in Los Angeles, the young followers of Charles Manson murdered seven people, including the actress Sharon Tate, then eight months pregnant. With no mercy and seemingly no motive, the Manson Family followed their leader's every order -- their crimes lit a flame of paranoia across the nation, spelling the end of the sixties. Manson became one of history's most infamous criminals, his name forever attached to an era when charlatans mixed with prodigies, free love was as possible as brainwashing, and utopia -- or dystopia -- was just an acid trip away.
Twenty years ago, when journalist Tom O'Neill was reporting a magazine piece about the murders, he worried there was nothing new to say. Then he unearthed shocking evidence of a cover-up behind the 'official' story, including police carelessness, legal misconduct, and potential surveillance by intelligence agents. When a tense interview with Vincent Bugliosi -- prosecutor of the Manson Family and author of Helter Skelter -- turned a friendly source into a nemesis, O'Neill knew he was onto something. But every discovery brought more questions:

- Who were Manson's real friends in Hollywood, and how far would they go to hide their ties?
- Why didn't law enforcement, including Manson's own parole officer, act on their many chances to stop him?
- And how did Manson -- an illiterate ex-con -- turn a group of peaceful hippies into remorseless killers?


O'Neill's quest for the truth led him from reclusive celebrities to seasoned spies, from San Francisco's summer of love to the shadowy sites of the CIA's mind-control experiments, on a trail rife with shady cover-ups and suspicious coincidences. The product of two decades of reporting, hundreds of new interviews, and dozens of never-before-seen documents from the LAPD, the FBI, and the CIA, Chaos mounts an argument that could be, according to Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Steven Kay, strong enough to overturn the verdicts on the Manson murders. This is a book that overturns our understanding of a pivotal time in American history.
Reviews
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Marshall E.

CIA, lsd brain washing facilities, covert cia operations being held in the USA all based on factual evidence. So many more questions to be answered

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Stacie B.

The book was interesting and informative. It is a book about facts and details. If you're looking for a true crime thriller or a plot that keeps you listening late into the night, this may not be the book for you. If you'd like to educate yourself about the murders and the 60's climate, then this is a fascinating read.

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Brent L.

Lots to love about this book. Be forewarned that the author raises lots of well researched questions, but without supported research (to his credit) he doesn't come to conclusion. One thing becomes clear - Helter Skelter is a myth

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Lisa K.

Awesome, eye opening book, and fascinating to follow the author’s long journey to learn the truth

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Keith W.

I kept waiting to learn something new, but no such luck. I would not recommend this book to anyone I like.

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Dale C.

It very shocking to learn the truth, the lies and the cover ups. Chaos was very well written. You can also listen to Tom O'neill describe what he went through on the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast.

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Anonymous

A must read for anyone that holds great suspicion but also requires evidence to consider a claim.

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Zoran D.

Absolutely fascinating layout of an astounding mystery. The unbelievable persistence and willpower of Tom O'Neil to unravel a new part of the truth is truly inspiring.

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Jan M.

Surely listen to this a second time

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Jacob E.

is go in be hot!

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Jenna S.

Easy listen, finished in 3 days!!

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Anonymous

I found it rather tedious and too long. I just couldn’t understand why he couldn’t finish writing his book.

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Zachary R.

One of the best books I’ve ever got into would recommend to all and will definitely go through a second time

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