Restless souls : the Sharon Tate family's account of stardom, the Manson murders, and a crusade for justice

The gruesome murders of the beautiful and talented actress Sharon Tate, her unborn child and four others that same night at the hands of the notorious Manson family rocked the nation. As one of the most horrific crimes in modern history, these atrocities, the trial and the subsequent conviction of Charles Manson and his followers caused a media sensation, spawning movies, documentaries and bestselling books, including the classic Helter Skelter . A defining moment in an era otherwise associated with radical peace, love and understanding, this incident is one that still resonates with millions today. Yet while this crime left an indelible mark on society's consciousness, it was, first and foremost, a shattering personal tragedy for those closest to Sharon--the loving family left to cope with the emotional devastation of her loss. Now, after nearly forty years, their story is finally revealed. Compiled by close family friend Alisa Statman... Sharon Tate was a promising young actress who received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in Valley of the Dolls ; the beautiful wife of famous film director Roman Polanski; an expectant mother eight and a half months pregnant at the time of her murder; and, a loving daughter and sister. Her brutal slaying and the homicides of her friends that same night by members of the Manson Family are still etched in the public consciousness more than four decades later. What few people know however is: the dramatic role Sharons father, a retired army intelligence officer, played in finding and prosecuting his daughters killers; the rage he had to suppress when he came face to face alone with her killer in a holding room during a parole hearing; the threats and menace that extended beyond prison walls, haunting members of even the next generation of the victims families; the very different choices these three family members made to cope with the realities of this tragedy; the fight Sharons mothers had to endure to insure that victims loved ones could make an impact statement at parole hearings; the brushes with danger she repeatedly faced staring down these murderers as she fought to keep them incarcerated; and, the lengths Sharons sister Patti went through with the entertainment industry to keep artists from glorifying these killers in their music, art and films. Sharons mother Doris, father Paul and sister Patti, each in their turn, attempted to write memoirs about their ordeal before passing, as they thought it was important to share their side of the story with the world. Now twenty-year family friend, Alisa Statman, and Sharons niece Brie Tate, recount the Tate family truths for us here in this rare glimpse at the post-trauma survival of a family. This book proves timely as Manson Family leader, Charles Manson, is scheduled for his next parole hearing in 2012. He is also currently seeking a new trial with the help of Saddam Husseins former attorney The Devils Advocate Giovanni Di Stefano. Additionally, Restless Souls publishes on Sharons birthday and the same date the jury reached a guilty verdict in 1971 The gruesome murders of the actress Sharon Tate, her unborn child, and four others at the hands of the notorious "Manson family" on August 9, 1969 rocked the nation. The atrocities, the trial and the subsequent conviction of Charles Manson and his followers spawned a media frenzy--a defining moment in an era otherwise associated with peace, love and understanding. Yet while this crime left an indelible mark on society's consciousness, it was an even more shattering personal tragedy for Sharon's loving family. Now, after nearly forty years, their story is finally revealed. Compiled by close family friend Alisa Statman and Sharon's niece Brie Tate, Restless Souls draws on unpublished material including interviews with the Tates, personal letters, tape recordings, home movies, public interviews, private journals, and official documents to provide a four-decade, three-generation memoir of crime and punishment, anguish and hope, rage and love.--From publisher description The first day of the rest of our lives Fragile Alone in the crowd Just for the record A million to one Nothing but dead ends A family like no other family Evil has its allure Life goes on. Or does it? Revenge or justice? That old bitch A wolf in sheep's clothing The lost sheep The informant Bastardizing the law Passing the torch The crossroads Changes Manson and a rose The show must go on And then some.