Before He Became a Monster: A Story of Charles Manson's Time at Father Flanagan's Boys Town

Charles Manson has long been a synonym for evil. But years before his reputation as one of America’s most sinister killers, Manson was an unwanted boy. In 1949, when 14 year old Charles Manson arrived at Father Flanagan’s legendary Boys Town, he was brimming with hope. He saw a promising future. Then something happened that crushed hope and sent history in a darker direction. Manson’s story is told through the eyes of Jake and Maggie, a father and daughter seeking resolution to life-long divisions. From his hospice bed, Jake Bowden confesses the crystalizing events that occurred long ago when Charlie was his Boys Town roommate. With Manson’s input, McDowell explores the largely uncharted territory of a feared killer’s adolescence, weaving fact with speculation to explain what might have gone so wrong. Manson is still relevant in our society, representing anti-establishment principles that continue to attract today’s youth. Convicted of ordering others to murder for him, he remains a fascinating—if horrifying—subject. Manson receives more letters than any prisoner in U. S. history. Whether interpreted as controversial social commentary or simply a great read, this poignant tale of childhood tragedy will leave readers questioning their perceptions of history.