Member of the Family: My Story of Charles Manson, Life Inside His Cult, and the Darkness that Ended the Sixties
by
Dianne Lake
In this poignant and
disturbing memoir of lost innocence, coercion, survival, and healing,
Dianne Lake chronicles her years with Charles Manson, revealing for the
first time how she became the youngest member of his Family and offering
new insights into one of the twentieth century’s most notorious
criminals and life as one of his “girls”
At age fourteen Dianne Lake—with little more than a note in her pocket from her hippie parents granting her permission to leave them—became one of “Charlie’s girls,” a devoted acolyte of cult leader Charles Manson. Over the course of two years, the impressionable teenager endured manipulation, psychological control, and physical abuse as the harsh realities and looming darkness of Charles Manson’s true nature revealed itself. From Spahn ranch and the group acid trips, to the Beatles’ White Album and Manson’s dangerous messiah-complex, Dianne tells the riveting story of the group’s descent into madness as she lived it.
Though she never participated in any of the group’s gruesome crimes and was purposely insulated from them, Dianne was arrested with the rest of the Manson Family, and eventually learned enough to join the prosecution’s case against them. With the help of good Samaritans, including the cop who first arrested her and later adopted her, the courageous young woman eventually found redemption and grew up to lead an ordinary life.
While much has been written about Charles Manson, this riveting account from an actual Family member is a chilling portrait that recreates in vivid detail one of the most horrifying and fascinating chapters in modern American history.
Member of the Family includes 16 pages of photographs.
At age fourteen Dianne Lake—with little more than a note in her pocket from her hippie parents granting her permission to leave them—became one of “Charlie’s girls,” a devoted acolyte of cult leader Charles Manson. Over the course of two years, the impressionable teenager endured manipulation, psychological control, and physical abuse as the harsh realities and looming darkness of Charles Manson’s true nature revealed itself. From Spahn ranch and the group acid trips, to the Beatles’ White Album and Manson’s dangerous messiah-complex, Dianne tells the riveting story of the group’s descent into madness as she lived it.
Though she never participated in any of the group’s gruesome crimes and was purposely insulated from them, Dianne was arrested with the rest of the Manson Family, and eventually learned enough to join the prosecution’s case against them. With the help of good Samaritans, including the cop who first arrested her and later adopted her, the courageous young woman eventually found redemption and grew up to lead an ordinary life.
While much has been written about Charles Manson, this riveting account from an actual Family member is a chilling portrait that recreates in vivid detail one of the most horrifying and fascinating chapters in modern American history.
Member of the Family includes 16 pages of photographs.
Hardcover, 336 pages
Expected publication:
October 24th 2017
by William Morrow
22 comments:
That should probably be a pretty good book.
Yeah I agree Sunset. I think I'll buy it when it comes out.
Thanks Beauders.
I always found Lake to be one of the more attractive girls.
Katie and others who are interested I now have an agent for my book. If a publisher does not pick up my book after Manson dies I am going to self publish it. I worked for years on this book and want it read. Also Katie Jeff Guinn has a book coming out on Jim Jones, the Peoples Temple, and Jonestown. I was not impressed with his book on Manson and do not expect much in the Jones book but I will read it.
Thanks Beauders! Please keep us in the loop on your book because I'm sure there are many TLB enthusiasts who would like to read it!
I wasn't impressed with Jeff's book on Manson either, but I'd like to read his take on the Jonestown tragedy. Is there a publish date on that one?
p.s. Beauders somebody made a comment to you a couple of threads back about the OJ Simpson case in case you missed it.
beauders said...
If a publisher does not pick up my book after Manson dies....
I'm curious as to why Charles Manson would have to die before your book would come out. What if he lives until 2028 ?
When Manson dies like most celebrities it will be in the news and that will increase interest. All Manson collectibles are going to become a lot more valuable after he dies. New books will be published hopefully including mine.
Ah, gotcha.
Great news Beauders been hoping & waiting a long time for your book also agree Guins book wasn't much it seems the mass media now considers him the new Manson expert since the Bug's passing
beauders said...
When Manson dies like most celebrities it will be in the news and that will increase interest. All Manson collectibles are going to become a lot more valuable after he dies
Do you find yourself kind of hoping he goes soon ? Would you have mixed feelings if he lived another 15 years ?
Lynyrd, please check your e-mail!
Well in a just world Manson would have been dead long ago. I think he's on his way out and really haven't considered him living another fifteen years. I started getting interested in Manson, etc. on the twenty-fifth anniversary, and I guess if he lived another fifteen years I'd deal with it ok. I really just want my book read.
Wouldn't be just like Charlie to outlive all his children in prison, that is Tex, Lulu, Katie, Cupid, and Bruce.
beauders said...
I really just want my book read
Would you consider putting it out now, regardless of whether he's alive or dead ?
I need a publisher but will self publish after Manson dies. I have a lot of collectibles dealing with Manson etc. and need to sell them for the self publishing if it comes to that. I just don't have the money. I have a doll Manson made, he named her Fire starter, if anyone is interested. Of course she is supposed to burst into flames when Manson dies.
Beauders email me about your Manson collectables with Price's thanx ajerseydevil@gmail.com
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