Riding On Your Fears Book Praise

"Rowlett’s book is a[n] essay and more extensive look into the Manson Family and the murders they committed. Rowlett discusses in great detail the effect Manson might have had on the hippie movement. Through research and interviews, Rowlett points out several mysteries behind Manson, his “family,” and the infamous murders he’s still known for today. Rowlett also discusses several rumors and urban legends that have followed Manson over the years."

"Riding On Your Fears is written with a concentration on areas which were omitted from the many biographies and mainstream publications on Charles Manson and the Manson family. Rowlett draws connections and focuses on evidence which has eluded [previous authors]. The dark changes that Manson underwent shortly before the Tate/LaBianca murders are covered in this essay, considering factors that contributed to the Helter Skelter apocalyptic mindset. Comparisons are drawn between Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now and Manson's philosophy. This book will serve as a valuable companion to those other works and is a unique approach quite comprehensive in its analysis."

"Definitely a commendable work! I purchased Riding On Your Fears because I have truly enjoyed reading the selected essays from Rowlett's other book, Labyrinth13.

As a researcher myself, I respect that instead of just presenting hearsay as fact as so many writers are apt to do, Rowlett obviously studies the available evidence relating to a given topic. Consequently, he is able to accomplish something admirable, namely, explore offbeat/obscure topics without coming off like someone who has passed beyond the fringes of society.

As for Riding On Your Fears, I have always found the hippie era interesting, and consider the Manson case intriguing in that it seemingly represents the dark side of that era. Therefore, when I saw that Riding On Your Fears had been published, I purchased it immediately, and was not disappointed.

If nothing else, what I appreciate about Riding On Your Fears is that Rowlett is obviously not one of these "Charlie was framed!" and/or "Charlie shouldn't even be in jail!" types. Moreover, his book is not a sympathy piece for Manson. Instead, it is an informed work that skillfully explores the Manson case as a unique anomaly of American history.

Of particular interest is the way in which, after presenting a "Tate/LaBianca 101" overview of the case, Rowlett explores alternative motives behind the murders (e.g., drug burns might have been at the heart of them), again, without coming off like a crackpot.

"I finally got a copy of Curt Rowlett's book Riding On Your Fears. This text is an essay published as a chapbook. It does not cover the whole case, rather, it looks at some of the more interesting aspects of it. For example, it discusses the LSD used at the time, which was way more potent than that used post-1970; strange connections with Conrad's Heart of Darkness novel and the movie Apocalypse Now. This essay contains the best explanation of what Manson meant by "fear" [and] a thought provoking comparison between the real Jesus and Manson. I highly recommend this text."

"A brief look at an interesting case. This text is not a comprehensive case study, rather it examines several interesting aspects of the case. It is neither anti-Manson or pro-Manson, thought he is very fair with Manson and explains some of his ideas better than anyone else."

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