The Long Prison Journey of Leslie Van Houten: Life Beyond the Cult

by Karlene Faith

Book Overview

At The Age Of Twenty-One, Leslie Van Houten was sentenced to death, along with Charles Manson and his other disciples, for the infamous murder rampage spanning two nights in August 1969. Leslie, who... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1555534813
• ISBN13: 9781555534813
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Northeastern University Press
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.2" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Book review; not social commentary

Well researched and informative, and definitely worth reading. A brief reading of all the reviews quickly reveals that those who think that L.V.H. should never be released simply hate the book, and those that are willing to consider K. Faith's perspective typically liked it. I don't think that K. Faith's perspective is completely objective, but it does raise some very interesting points: Should we be open to the notion that people can change and that prisons should serve not just to punish criminals (at a tremendous cost to society) but also to rehabilitate? Perhaps one of the most interesting questions is "should taxpayers continue to keep someone behind bars when they clearly are no longer a threat to society? Regardless of my opinions, Faith did a good job of getting me to think about these basic questions.

Mikie / Tallapoosa

Fascinating and informative account of the misjustice against Leslie Van Houten ... She needs to be released yesterday ... Her major 'crime' was being linked to Charles Manson, and she has been paying for this association over and over and over ... I recommend people e-mail or snail-mail the Governator and petition for her release ... To still carry herself in the manner she does is a testament to the human spirit ... 40 years is 33 too many for her part in the LaBianca killings ... Thank you Karlene ...

We reap what we sow

I was a young woman of 25 when these murders occured. My newly married husband and I attended a seminar on the Manson murders a few years after that . I enjoyed the book , but have to say, NONE of the players in these brutal murders should EVER ,EVER, EVER be released under ANY circumstances. They should all die in prison. At least they are still alive, unlike their victims. I don't care if they live to be 100 years old, they should never taste freedom again. It is befitting that they be incarcerated until death claims them all. Watch what you do in your youth and be careful the decisions you make , because you may just pay for them with your entire life.

excellent reading.

Good reading. Written well and gives Leslie VanHoutens story the depth it never had before. Great insight to the times, the crimes and the person she is now.

What constitutes "rehabilitation"?

When Leslie Van Houten was 19 years old, she got mixed up with drugs and Charles Manson and took part in something that was awful. Now Ms. Van Houten is in her 50s. She has spent almost twice as much time in prison than out of prison. While she has been in prison, she has been the ideal prisoner. She has received both a BA and Masters degree. She has helped younger inmates try to get their lives together. If there ever was a person that has attempted to redeem themselves behind bars, it is her. However, all of this seems meaningless to most. Because Van Houten will always be grouped with Manson and the horrific murders of 1969. What people fail to realize, is that under California law, prisoners that do what Van Houten has done in prison, are due parole. It is state law. However, she continues to be ignored along with the law. This book might be bias, but I also have some other knowledge about this case and I feel it is a shame. Leslie Van Houten made a mistake a long time ago and she has gone about making up for that. Forgiveness and contrition are due here. I am not saying release the whole family, but this particular member is different and better than the others.