Table of Contents
Atchison, Andrew J., and Kathleen M. Heide. “Charles Manson and the Family.” International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, vol. 55, no. 5, 2010, pp. 771-798.
The article provides an in-depth analysis of the events that culminated to the murder of several people by Manson and his group. The authors discuss in details some of the major factors that made Manson to engage in criminal activities. In addition, it elaborates on how he was able to use his influence to drag some of the family members into his ideologies. The journal addresses the sociological literature associated with crime. This is an area that has been ignored over the years. Therefore, it applies the criminology theory to understand the actions and behaviours depicted by the murderers. This is achieved by describing the actions of Manson are followed by the introduction of several criminological theories. Moreover, the life of Manson is chronicled and all theories related to his life are illustrated. Furthermore, the actions of the other three followers are discussed in details. This provides the reader with an in-depth understanding of their motive and various factors that forced them to follow this route.
This source will be useful in the research because it introduces various theories that are related to the criminal activities that were committed. Furthermore, it goes a notch higher to assess the actions and behaviours of Manson’s accomplices. This is significant in understanding their thoughts and how they were able to commit crime for days without being identified. This article will help shape my argument that criminals have a specific way of thinking and their motive is driven by the social-economic factors that surrounds them. Therefore, the source supports my position that criminal activities are mainly instigated by the environment that a person is brought in and the friends that one associates with. As a result, it will be easy to develop a strong conclusion and well-supported recommendations.
Guinn, Jeff. Manson: The life and times of Charles Manson. Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2014.
The author of this book provides a reader with a well-researched work regarding the life of Manson. In addition, he goes deeper to understand his family history and whether there were other criminals among his ancestors. In addition, he analyses his upbringing especially during his young days. Moreover, he addresses the frustrations he went through as a child, some of which might have forced him to engage in criminal activities. It expounds further about a man who was driven by greed, sex, racism, and misuse of power. During those times, racism and lack of accountability among the leaders was the order of the day. Therefore, the minority in the society felt cheated and left out on matters regarding their welfare. Human right activists such as Martin Luther King were so soft in the push for changes. Therefore, young people like Manson felt that they needed a better way of attracting the attention of the people towards the suffering in the community. The book describes the setting of a normal society where poor people were denied entry in entertainment joint and the cost of living was so high for a normal man. The frustrations were very high and young people were feeling that the government was not doing enough to address the gap between the rich and poor.
The book will play a significant role in informing my research on some of the fine details that were not captured in other literatures. The reason is that the author had a first-hand experience of the issues that were affecting people. Therefore, he was able to narrate how people co-existed in the society and some of the challenges that young men underwent in trying to establish themselves in a society that was characterized by inequality. These will form a basis of my argument. In addition, the source will enlighten me on the economic aspects that increase crime rate in the society.
Steve Almasy and Brandon Griggs. “Charles Manson, leader of murderous cult, dead at 83.” 21 Nov. 2017.
This source provides an overview of events that culminated after the arrest of Manson. Having been written few days after his death in prison, the article goes deeper to describe a man who went ahead to control activities even inside the prison. It looks deeper into a man who is described as charismatic owing to his ability to influence others to believe in his thinking. It describes how he was able to even convince his family members to believe in his course to appoint that they would kill for him. The article describes the effort that was being made by use of phrases on the bodies of those killed by his members with the aim of starting a racial war. The work explores his early life and how at the age of twelve he was taken to a rehabilitation centre after being charged of stealing. In addition, it quotes him saying that he spent most of his young life in boy’s school and prisons because no one stood with him or listened to his grievances.
The article will inform my argument that many criminals are driven by lack of support by close friends and relatives. Therefore, they engage in criminal activities as a way of attracting the attention of the society. This will support my stance that parents have a significant role in nurturing the children. Therefore, at this era which is characterized by individualism, its significant for parents to spend much of their time with children in order to listen to them and address some of their concerns. Therefore, the source will be critical in understanding the theme of radicalization at young age.
Wells, Simon. Coming down fast – A chilling biography. Hodder Paperback, 2010.
This book provides a deep assessment of the actions of Manson and his accomplices. The author tries to link Manson’s leadership skills with the actions of his self-recruited members. Furthermore, it digs deeper into a well-established network which is believed to have existed for years even after he was imprisoned. The source expounds on the way that the group was able to commit murder for a person who never participated. It provides a vivid overview of the murder cases that were committed by the group. Furthermore, it tries to identify the vacuum that existed in the society which created room for the group to thrive. The reason is that it had a well-designed system of command which made it possible for information to trickle down to the rest of the members. In addition, many of the members worshiped him and followed his words to the letter. This astonishing story of a murderer will be critical in understanding the minds of a criminal.
This book will be significant in understanding how to avoid the creation of criminal gangs in the society. In addition, the source will go a long way in enabling me to analyze some of the early signs that would inform the government to act in order to avoid bloodshed. Therefore, the book will play a significant part in drafting a solution to some of the criminal activities that continues to affect the society today.
We can do it today.
- Atchison, Andrew J., and Kathleen M. Heide. “Charles Manson and the Family.” International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, vol. 55, no. 5, 2010, pp. 771-798.
- Guinn, Jeff. Manson: The life and times of Charles Manson. Simon & Schuster Paperbacks, 2014.
- Steve Almasy and Brandon Griggs. “Charles Manson, leader of murderous cult, dead at 83.” 21 Nov. 2017.
- Wells, Simon. Coming down fast – A chilling biography. Hodder Paperback, 2010.