David McGowan (1) (1960–2015)

Absolutely all over the place. Doesn't seem to have a central thesis, or if it does the book changes its mind schizophrenically about what it actually is. Random assertions with a kind of knowing self-confidence: "And then so-and-so died of a crash three days short of Alistair Crowley's birthday, would you believe it." Etc etc. Yes, some of the vignettes are individually interesting. Harry Houdini's intelligence links, for example, which even draw in William Melville in Scotland Yard. The show more extensive intelligence services background of the Copeland family regarding Ian Copeland from The Police (and I mean it is very extensive - suspect that's why he picked that band name). Or Jerry Kay and the Solar Lodge of the Ordo Templi Orientis. And yes it's true that many Laurel Canyoners did have families with military backgrounds. But the book doesn't conclude anything or advance any actual argument. It's mood music. That requires a talented prose writer - the likes of Joan Didion could get away with it - but McGowan is not that. This is a cacophony of coincidences, assertions, and distortions, arrogantly made. When the author feels he needs to, he draws on people and incidents outside Laurel Canyon, and sometimes he is just factually wrong, as with the Rodney Alcala stuff, which has not aged well. Goes nowhere. show less

Unreadable self-published rubbish from an author who appears to have an encyclopedic knowledge of notorious American homicides but tragically no interest in advancing any coherent argument about them; no ability to write; and who is seemingly incapable of sustaining any reasonable interpretation of the facts at his command. The material itself is of high interest to me, and the cover suggests the book will attend to some kind of conclusion. It does not. Nor could it, given its profound show more failings. Barely a book at all. show less

A sort of book-length version of Harper’s Index, this book presents quite a portrait of an America far removed from the official portrayal of peace, justice for all, and a booming economy that will go on forever. It uses quotes from sources like Amnesty International, the New York Times, and the United Nations.
Here are a few examples: the state of California, among others, does exactly the same thing that the US criticizes China for doing, that is, exporting prison-made goods. All show more countries in the world have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which bans juvenile executions, with two exceptions, Somalia, which has had no effective government for the last decade, and the United States. The assets of the three richest people in the world are greater than the combined GNP of the 48 least developed countries, comprising approximately 600 million people. The US has the highest death row population in the world, over 3,500 people. Between 1992 and 1993, major network evening news coverage of homicide rose 300%, while the actual homicide rate went down. During President Clinton’s first year in office, US arms sales more than doubled.
Here is a fascinating, and well documented look at an America that talks a lot about human rights elsewhere, but doesn’t deliver those same human rights here at home. It is very highly recommended. show less

Summary:In the 1960s and early 1970s a dizzying array of musical artists congregated in Laurel Canyon to create much of the music that provided the soundtrack to those turbulent times. But there was a dark side to that scene as well. Many didn't make it out alive, and many of those deaths remain shrouded in mystery to this day. Charles Manson was integrated into the scene more than most would care to admit, as well as various political operatives, up-and-coming politicians, and intelligence show more personnel, happily coexisting alongside a covert military installation. Discover the dark underbelly of a hippie utopia. show less