Restless Souls audiobook

Restless Souls was a well-written, compelling and interesting biography from start to finish. I've always enjoyed stories of people overcoming incredible suffering and standing up to those who've tried to oppress them. The Tate family's legacy goes far beyond the murder of Sharon. Their activism changed laws. They gave comfort and justice to so many families. Definitely a story worth telling.

Restless Souls: The Sharon Tate Family’s Account of Stardom, the Manson Murders, and a Crusade for Justice is the latest entry into the substantial collection of books written about the Manson murders and at first glance, it may seem an unwanted and unneeded addition into an oversaturated, even weary, market. Don’t let the number of books preceding it affect your decision to pass this one by. It’s well worth your time and effort. This case has long been one that I have had a particular interest in. Helter Skelter, Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry’s classic about the crimes, was the first book in the true crime genre that I read. Since then, I have reread it many times and the senseless horror never fails to create an uneasy pit in my stomach. Of all the Manson victims, Sharon Tate was the most pathetic and the most notorious; perhaps for this reason I felt a particular sadness over her death. Finding Restless Souls was hitting the literary lottery for me. After more than forty years, this was an account of how the Tate family dealt with the aftermath of the most well known murders of the 20th century and how the brutal killing of her daughter led Sharon’s mother Doris to forcefully advocate for victims’ families. A good quarter or so of the book deals with Sharon and the time before the murders. I appreciated reading about the true Sharon, as her family saw her and knew her. Authors Alisa Statman and Brie Tate (nee Ford, Sharon’s niece) pull no punches in using journals written by P.J. and Doris Tate, as well as Sharon’s sister Patti (and Brie’s late mother). They admit to Sharon’s drug usage, as well as usage by her former fiancé and fellow victim, Jay Sebring, and the debt he was in following the crimes. Reading Sebring’s despondency over Sharon’s pregnancy, still pining for her and hoping that she would return to him once her marriage ended, and knowing they would die together was particularly heartbreaking. Sharon is presented as particularly human, no saint but certainly not the questionable “live freaky, die freaky” character that’s been oft-repeated since her death. Rather, she is shown as a loving and devoted daughter and sister, a fierce animal lover, a woman who cried reading Tess of the D’Urbervilles and encouraged her husband that it would make a wonderful film (a film he made in 1979, dedicating it to her). For Sharon Tate fans who like her with only the gauzy light of reality on her, they may not be pleased; for those who want to know the real Sharon, good and bad, this is a slice of heaven. The bulk of Restless Souls deals with the after effects of murder on the living victims, not just the Tate family but the Parent family and various families that Doris Tate would go on to help. These were the difficult parts of the book to read. The raw anguish of the Tates’ suffering comes off every page, making it at times necessary to put the book down, even just for a moment. And a moment was about as long as I could stand to put it down, so anxious I was to continue on this uneasy journey with Sharon’s family. Doris Tate, despite her resistance to be categorized as such, was a true heroine - - a strong fighter who took the greatest tragedy of her life and dedicated herself to trying to prevent the same horror happening to others. PJ Tate, following the death of his daughter, took to the streets himself in search of his child’s killers and his investigation is included, to fascinating effect. Particularly interesting to me was Tate’s confrontation with killer Charles “Tex” Watson, an encounter that left the cold and heartless killer shaken. Patti Tate’s story, while less well known than her mother’s, is no less sad; only ten years old in 1969, she idolized her older sister and felt she never had the chance to give Sharon a proper goodbye and spent many years not acknowledging or speaking of her. The only weak part of Restless Souls, in this reader’s opinion, was the replay of the murders in which the thoughts and feelings of the victims are discussed. As this is pure conjecture taken from Patti’s unpublished memoir and written as fact, it’s a bit disconcerting. However, it’s a small flaw compared to the overall strength of the book, which includes showing not only Sharon but Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger and Woyteck Frykowski as actual people and not just victims. (There is no information on Steven Parent because the Tates and their friends did not know him). Restless Souls is a worthy companion to Helter Skelter, the latter discussing the crimes, detection of the killers and their trials, a memoir of pain and heartache as well as a nod to Doris, PJ and Patti Tate’s dedication and a reminder that Sharon Tate was more than a beautiful murder victim. I would not hesitate to highly recommend it. © Psychotic State Book Reviews 2013

If you know anything about me, you know that I have very extensively researched this case. I've probably read, listened, watched everything and anything on Sharon Tate, her life, Manson and his family, and all the history on both sides. This is the third time I've read the book. It's just one of those cases that I keep coming back to. It's just so intriguing. There are so many different views.It really shows the murders of Sharon through the eyes of her family. It helps to bring to light the memories and real essence of who she was as a person, and the aftermath of murder to a person's family. I have absolutely nothing against Brie Tate or Alisa Statman, but I think that the family drama is a bit ridiculous. For whatever reason Debra was disowned I guess, but it's frustrating how she is hardly mentioned in the book. Brie wasn't even born when this all happened. I would have loved for Debra, Brie and Alisa all to have come together and written a book. From what i've heard, Debra doesn't even like the book. Next on my list is definitely her book, Recollection. Regardless, a great read. Especially if your particularly interested in the Manson murders.

What an eye opener. It shows how society puts all the focus on criminals and we forget about the victims. I will never look at this case the same again. Rest in peace those whose lives were taken by these madmen. I hope your killers never see life outside of prison walls again.

A heartbreaking but ultimately wonderful read, because of all the good the Tates made come out of their personal disaster. Highly recommended.

I loved this book. It has gone on to my all time favourites pile. I loved the way it was written as if the author was talking to me. Loved it and highly recommend.

Good book. The part that resonated the most with me (in chapter 11), is when Doris Tate discusses the Amy Sue Seitz case. I grew up in Camarillo, and was 8 years old when she was kidnapped. It was so sad and so scary...The neighbor boy told me in graphic detail what the kidnapper did to her and I ran home crying. The kidnapper was tried and convicted, and when the judge read the verdict of the sentencing phase (death), he also said "I wouldn't sweat it. You will probably die of old age, out on the streets and still molesting children". Then I was appalled when Rose Bird commuted Theodore Frank's death sentence. When people say that criminals should not be dehumanized, I say Theodore Frank was very inhuman to begin with, and how could society suffer a person like that to live anymore? In the 80s they reheld his penalty phase of trial, and he again received the death penalty. However he died in 2001 on death row of a heart attack. The State of California paid for the housing and feeding of a convicted child torturer for all those years. The atmosphere of crime and fear in 1970s California made it a scary time to be a kid. All that said, I'm very glad that Doris Tate did all that work for victim's rights and truth in sentencing. I think I liked the viewpoint of Patti Tate the most in this book. I am so glad Alisa and Brie have published this book, whatever little personal interpretations were put there by Statman to make it cohesive are unimportant to me (she tells you she did this at times, in the preface), because the important thing is that this book made it into print and we can all read their stories.

(Spoilers) As a life long Sharon Tate fan I really had doubts about this book. First off because it was written by the niece and "ex lover" to Patti Tate, Sharon's sister. And there are certainly things I do not agree on or believe in this book such as Paul Tate following bikers from Sharon's front gate to the desert where Manson and his followers were. And I dislike how they did a chapter on Sharon herself from inside her mind. You couldn't possibly know what she was thinking when she was on a boat or filming over seas. Other than that I enjoyed the family photos, the more in debt facts on Sharon. And even on Jay & Roman whom the family loved. I have read "Helter Skelter" multiple times & I realize small facts that only I would care about along with other obsessed readers missed. Like the fact that Sharon and Gibby both has dogs in the house the night of the murders. New fact I didn't know about. And I never knew the landlord of the Cielo property sued The Tate's because the blood ruined his carpet and Paul Tate had to go in and rip up the bloody murder scene. I felt that was a true sense of how Hollywood works. Greed. In the end I loved this book not for recounting the murder but for giving more insight into Sharon herself. Not the actress or Manson victim, just the Sharon they knew and loved. And also I loved the victims rights and fighting to keep killers behind bars. The struggle that family went trough it unbelievable. I recommend this book for anyone who loves Sharon Tate. Not just the murder but her on a deeper level. Great read. Finished it in 2 days.

One of the first true-crime books I ever read was Helter Skelter. I had heard of Charlie Manson but knew nothing of his crimes or the other killers involved. After reading Helter Skelter, I made it a point to learn as much as I could about the Tate-LaBianca murders. It was not long before my research led me to the inspiring crusade of Doris Tate. I have always admired her strength and devotion to victims rights and her determination that none of the killers be paroled. Aside from her public presence the Tate family has been very private. This book was an incredible look inside a family's generational grief. I was already an admirer of Doris Tate's, and this book only increased my respect for her and her family. Thank you to the authors for opening your lives to us.

Knowing very little about the Manson family and Susan Tate, the book was really informative. Told by the Tate family (journals, interviews, etc) it is interesting to see how each family member dealt with the tragedy and how it prompted some of them to become victim advocates. I did find it to be slightly sensational though. There are things in here that no one could know, like Susan being able to smell Sadie Atkins sour breath in her dying moment, or exact words in conversations that were spoken 50+ years ago. It definitely seemed like some of it was added in for extra shock value, which I find questionable.

Książka o Sharon Tate to nie tylko historia morderstwa żony Romana Polańskiego ale także wspomnienia o samej zamordowanej. Książka jest zestawieniem krótkiej biografii Sharon, procesu Charlesa Mansona i jego świty oraz starania rodziny Tate, aby oskarżeni pozostali w więzieniu mimo licznych apelacji o skrócenie wyroku.

The horrific and gruesome murder spree in August 1969, beginning with five people, including Sharon Tate, will forever taint a time--the sixties--and cast a legacy of loss and pain upon the generations that followed for the families affected: first the Tates, and then the LaBiancas, who were murdered the following day.But "Restless Souls: The Sharon Tate Family's Account of Stardom, the Manson Murders, and a Crusade for Justice" is primarily the story of one family, the Tates, and is told in the voices of Patti Tate, Sharon Tate's sister; her mother Doris; and Patti's daughter Brie. From their perspectives, we learn a bit about what life was like for them...after.The manuscript, intended to be Patti's autobiography, was finished after her death by Alisa Statman, her friend, along with Brie Tate. Statman also drew upon material from interviews, journals, and filled in the gaps with her personal interpretations.I began this book believing that I would learn more about the Tate family and how they suffered afterwards. And I did learn that. But I was surprised by how much I also learned about the various aspects of the prison system in California during the time period following the murders, and how changes in the law forced the Tates--beginning with Doris, who was the strongest advocate--to actively petition and speak out against the potential release of these gruesome murderers to parole, after their death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.The toll taken on Doris and Patti in the aftermath must have greatly contributed to their untimely deaths. Definitely their experiences affected the family members for all time. But, as Brie has stated in the final chapter:"Sorrow may seem a pitiful emotion, yet I am blessed by it. For it has left me a legacy of love, determination, and courage handed down by my mother and my grandparents before her. They taught me that we learn our greatest lessons through hardship. And through that hardship, they taught me not about fear and retribution, but about giving."To turn the pain and sorrow into "positive stones" to pay forward, Brie Tate's legacy is thus not only about pain and loss but about the blessings that accrue from positive action.The book was long and detailed, and at times, wore me down with all the information, some of it quite grisly, but in the end, I felt renewed and as if I could take away something worthwhile from the task. Four stars.

Another book pubished in 2012 I read on my Kindle Fire, this one was written by one of Sharon Tate's nieces and a screenwriter friend of hers in Hollywood. Sharon Tate's mother, Doris, and sister, Patti, were extremely active in preventing the Manson Family killers from getting parole, save for one rather minor character, who made a deal with the D.A.'s office to help them locate one of the missing victims' bodies. All in all, who really knows how many murder victims were there in total? I read Vincent Bugliosi's book, "Helter Skelter" in 1975, and some of the facts differ just a bit between these two books. I would assume that the knowledge of the cases has been clarified, or further lies by the people involved in these horrific crimes were told. According to Susan Atkins, who died of a brain tumor in 2006, "Sadie", Sharon Tate was not even supposed to be in that house on Cielo Drive. Considering the fact that Manson was extremely angry with Terry Melcher who had previously lived there with Candice Bergen, Melcher blew off Manson's attempt at a music career. This may have been the true motive. (When Tate was murdered on 8/9/69, she was married to film director Roman Polanski and eight and one half months pregnant). Ironically, Patti Tate died of breast cancer in 2000, her mother Doris died of an aggressive brain tumor in 1992. So far, two of the Tate victim's succumbed to cancer, and one of the perpetrators. I find this more than a little odd. Atkins was denied compassionate leave so she could die at home, although after over 23 years had passed, what kind of home would she have had? From what I could ascertain from the personality profile of Susan Atkins, she had started a life of crime even BEFORE she met up with the Manson family. That was news to me since in Bugliosi's (prosecutor) book; his thoughts on motive went to starting a race war based on the Beatles' song "Helter Skelter". But then again, this was another probably lie told by one of the defendents. Very interesting book and one that makes a person wonder how people can prevent kids growing up to be heinous criminals.

Sharon Tate's niece collected the transcripts that her mother Patti Tate and her grandmother Doris Tate wrote and published them in this book after they passed away. The story takes you inside the horror that the family lived through and the fight to keep the murderers in prison. They take you inside the murder scene and what they had to deal with, with the owner of the house Sharon Tate lived and died in, the blood and damages that the family had to clean up and pay for in a law suit by the house owner.They also take you into their experience and the craziness they witnessed from Manson and his followers in the court room. How Tex Watson and another Manson "family' member started their own religious cult in the prison and were allowed to preach and counsel other prisoners and the "snitch" that was sending private letters to Doris Tate about the goings on in the prison.We've all seen and heard what Manson and his followers all had to say, it was interesting to read about the Tate family's experience with the murders and murderers as well as the media attention their family had to deal with through the years.

I had read "Helter Skelter" years ago and that book had given me nightmares for weeks after. This book tells the story of the murder of Sharon Tate and her friends through the eyes of the Tate family, gleaned from papers written by her parents and her sister, Patti, many years before. It is a very good read and fills in a lot of holes in that case. It also tells how the family got through the years immediately following her death and how they were threatened off and on through the years by various Manson family members. It reads like a timeline, from the moment her mother got the call stating that Sharon had been murdered to the Tate family today and also describes where the Manson murderers are today in their years long appeals to be released on parole. A Very Good Read!!!!

I remember very well the summer of 1969... Chappaquiddick, astronauts first steps on the moon, and the Tate/La Bianca murders! Interesting view in this book concerns the relentless cause of the Tate family, especially Sharon's mother Doris, for victims of violence and efforts to stop any paroles for these individuals who murdered her daughter and all the other victims!!! This book has been controversial because of the author...but I have seem many of the tapes of Doris and Patti Tate's testimonies at parole hearings that confirm what is written. Interesting but hard to read of such evil, even after so many years have passed!