Peace, Love, & Murder: The Charles Manson Story
by Alan R. Warren
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Pub Date 10 Sep 2025 | Archive Date 15 Mar 2026
Alan Warren | House of Mystery
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Description
In the late 1960s, America’s promise of peace, love, and freedom collided with a nightmare that would forever change the nation. At the center of it was Charles Manson—failed musician, self-styled guru, and one of the most infamous figures in criminal history.
Peace, Love, and Murder: The Charles Manson Story goes beyond the familiar headlines to reveal untold details about Manson, his followers, and the culture that allowed him to thrive. Alan R. Warren explores how the chaos and counterculture of San Francisco and Los Angeles in the 1960s created the perfect storm for Manson’s rise.
Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Warren also shines a light on the lives of Manson’s “Family.” Each member’s background is explored, showing how personal struggles, vulnerabilities, and the allure of belonging drew them into Manson’s orbit—and into history’s most shocking crimes.
This is more than a true crime story. It’s the unsettling account of how an era built on dreams of love and freedom gave rise to murder and madness.
Advance Praise
Alan R. Warren’s Peace, Love, & Murder: The Charles Manson Story is a riveting and deeply unsettling look into one of the most chilling chapters of American history. Far from just another retelling of the Manson murders, this book delivers a layered and thoughtful examination of how a cultural movement rooted in peace and liberation became the backdrop for a descent into darkness.
Warren masterfully captures the chaotic energy of the 1960s, tracing how the era’s idealism, drug experimentation, and social upheaval laid fertile ground for a manipulative figure like Charles Manson to thrive. The book goes well beyond surface-level facts, diving deep into the psychological, social, and cultural factors that contributed to the rise of Manson and his so-called “Family.”
What truly sets this book apart is Warren’s meticulous research and vivid storytelling. He humanizes the individuals who were drawn into Manson’s orbit—not to excuse them, but to help readers understand how and why seemingly ordinary young people could be pulled into such an extreme and violent world. These portraits are both fascinating and haunting.
Peace, Love, & Murder is not just true crime—it’s cultural history. Warren connects the dots between the personal and the political, the individual and the collective, showing how the dream of a better world was warped into a nightmare. It’s a gripping read that forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about human vulnerability, groupthink, and the dark side of utopian dreams.
Whether you're a true crime enthusiast or a student of American history, this book is a must-read. It’s compelling, thought-provoking, and unflinching—a standout addition to the Manson canon.
Robert Allan - NBC Newsradio Host Los Angeles
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781998680139 |
| PRICE | US$9.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 341 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 15 members
Featured Reviews
I always have to get my hands on every book written about Charles Manson. So I was thrilled to be approved for this and started it immediately. Great research and background given by the author. I enjoyed this book and I think it was done well. Not many books focus on Manson himself and only on the trial. So this one is much more unique. Highly recommended for anyone who is a fan of true crime or of Manson history.
An excellent true crime account featuring useful references and in depth studies of the key players involved, including perpetrators, victims and investigators. The inclusion of Manson’s own testimony is fascinating and not often seen in its entirety. The details of the crimes themselves are hard to read but certainly explain why the crimes are so notorious and remembered after so many years. The author does not sensationalise anything but also does not use a dry, un-empathetic style in recounting the information.
A deep dive into the life of Charles Manson and his infamous group of followers. They lived in remote desert locations, allowing Manson to dominate his Family through drugs, sex, and persuasive rhetoric. The story covers the murders, trial, and the chaotic aftermath of their actions. It left a lasting impact on society in 1969, spreading fear across the nation.
Account D, Reviewer
This book is so incredibly detailed, I learned a lot.
Admittedly, what I know of Manson, I learned from podcasts, so it was never all that in depth.
This book really highlighted how he was able to manipulate those around him to do his bidding, and we also learn about the people themselves and how their life experiences placed them in Charles’ path.
I enjoyed this book a lot.
A very historic book. Was so informative I really enjoyed reading more about what happened
A really good read if you are interested in true crime
Reviewer 1638222
I found this book informative and engaging. It's a historical account of the Charles Manson case, exploring themes of crime, love, and violence. The author's research is thorough, and the writing style is captivating. I would recommend it to true crime enthusiasts ¹.
I became fascinated with the story of Charles Manson and the Manson Family after reading Helter Skelter many years ago. Since then, I have read several books and seen most of the documentaries. I wasn't sure there was anything left for me to discover, but this book added some new pieces to the puzzle. I loved learning some new details, such as a whole chapter with Charlie's testimony in court. I learned things about society at that time and how it connected to everything that happened. I also liked reading about each of the family members--their background, their involvement, and where they are now. The only reason I didn't rate it higher is that I found some parts repetitive. I would read about an incident in one chapter then read about it again in the next chapter. The book was well-researched. I highly recommend for anyone interested in learning more about this story.
For me the Manson case is something that I am fascinated with - well all true crime really - but the Manson case is one that I always think Iknow everything about but then I always learn more.
This book was very well researched and written, and gave me a lot of information that I didn't previously know. I loved that it gave a lot of information about the man himself and not just the crime and the trial.
I would highly recommend to any true crime lovers
Robert E, Reviewer
This is a really good read on a pretty wild incident. I truly appreciated the authors ability to cover some pretty gruesome murders in detail without being gratuitously gory. The lead up to these murders was also covered in great detail. The story was told in a way that really put you in the events.
Is it a bad thing that I really enjoyed this book, considering the subject matter.
It was engrossing and just when I thought there was nothing left to say about Charles Manson - there was.
Writing is key - and the pace was engaging and pretty much stayed that way the whole book.
Good amount of research is obvious.
This book really gripped me and was absolutely stacked with facts about Charles Manson but written with a ‘storyline’. I loved the layout of the book, in terms of how it went from his early life all the way through to when he was arrested and his trial. It was a really easy ready as well which made a huge difference as some are very wordy. I love a true crime book and this was up there.
Thank you to Net Galley for this advanced readers copy.
I have read many books on this subject - in fact - Helter Skelter was the first "true crime" book that I ever read (I was 15 when it came out) and it hooked me on the genre ever since. Whereas Helter Skelter tells the story from the pov of the prosecutor, Vincent Bugloisi, this book tells the story without bias. I found it well written, researched and informative. I especially enjoyed the synopsis at the end of each of the other family members. I was surprised, however, that there were no pictures included. For those not really familiar with this tragic piece of history it may behoove the author to include. Even if you think you know all there is to know about this case - you will definitely learn more. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
📚Peace,Love & Murder:The Charles Manson Story
✍🏻Alan R. Warren
Blurb:
The Summer of Love promised peace, freedom, and rebellion against the old ways-but hidden beneath the haze of music, drugs, and counterculture was a darkness waiting to explode.
In Peace, Love, and The Charles Manson Story, bestselling true crime author Alan R. Warren pulls back the curtain on one of the most notorious figures in American history. More than just another retelling of the Tate-LaBianca murders, this book reveals never-before-told details about Manson, his twisted ideology, and the people who followed him.
Warren explores how Manson could only have thrived in the unique atmosphere of 1960s San Francisco and Los Angeles-a turbulent backdrop of war protests, psychedelic experimentation, and a generation desperate for change. Alongside this cultural portrait, the book provides rare insight into the backgrounds of each member of the so-called "Family," showing how their vulnerabilities and desires made them susceptible to Manson's influence.
Chilling, thought-provoking, and meticulously researched, Peace, Love, and Murder goes beyond the headlines to ask the deeper how could a movement rooted in peace and love give rise to such horrific violence?
Shorter versions;
Peace and love turned to blood and fear.
Alan R. Warren uncovers never-before-told truths about Charles Manson, his followers, and why only the counterculture chaos of 1960s California could have birthed such horror.
My Thoughts:
The first book I read on the triagic event. Peace, Love & Murder: The Charles Manson Story this book tells the story without bias. I found it well written, researched and informative. I especially enjoyed the synopsis at the end of each of the other family members. They lived in remote desert locations, allowing Manson to dominate his Family through drugs, sex, and persuasive rhetoric. The story covers the murders, trial, and the chaotic aftermath of their actions. It left a lasting impact on society in 1969, spreading fear across the nation. For those really familiar with this tragic piece of history it may behoove the author to include.
Thanks NetGalley, Author and Publisher Alen R. Warren for the advanced copy of "Peace, Love, & Murder:The Charles Manson Story" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#AlenR.Warren
#Peace,Love,&Murder:TheCharlesMansonStory
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am a true crime Junkie 🔪🩸💀☠️
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