To his followers, Charles Manson is the second coming of Christ, that belief reinforced by subliminal messages he receives through the Beatles' White Album. But by the summer of 1969, a mythical race war, delusions of stardom, and bad drug deals leave the cult leader struggling to keep his family together. Helter Skelter reveals how, through intense programming, physical abuse, group sex, and tests of death, Manson finally convinces his followers to "do something witchy," which can only mean one thing.