Chapter One Book Group
Chapter One is a community of friends committed to enriching our lives through shared experience of the written word and meaningful discussion. The group was established in January 2008 and is currently celebrating its sixteenth year.
Each month, Chapter One dives into a new book selected directly from group nominations. Selections can vary as much as our members.
The group continues to meet and celebrate literature each month in the Chillicothe area of Ohio.
February 2025
Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry
True Crime
Published in 1974
Helter Skelter is a gripping account of one of the most infamous crimes in American history: the 1969 murders committed by Charles Manson and his “Family.” Bugliosi, the prosecutor who successfully convicted Manson and several of his followers, narrates the chilling story with a meticulous attention to detail. The book delves into Manson’s twisted ideology, which he used to manipulate a group of vulnerable young people into carrying out brutal killings. The title refers to Manson’s delusional belief in an impending apocalyptic race war, which he thought would be ignited by the murders. Bugliosi’s insider perspective, combined with Gentry’s compelling writing, paints a stark picture of a man who turned a commune of idealists into a death cult.
Through a combination of courtroom drama and investigative reporting, Helter Skelter not only explores the psychological profile of Manson but also the legal battles that led to his conviction. The book takes readers inside the investigation, the trial, and the aftermath of the murders, revealing the complexities of the case and the profound impact it had on American society. As a true-crime masterpiece, Helter Skelter remains an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the darkness behind the Manson Family’s crimes, the manipulation of vulnerable minds, and the determination it took to bring justice to the victims of one of the most shocking murder sprees in modern history.
This meeting for discussion of Book #206 is currently scheduled for February 8th at 5PM.
March 2025
Tell Me How Long the Train’s Been Gone by James Baldwin
Fiction
Published in 1968
Tell Me How Long the Train’s Been Gone is a deeply introspective and emotionally charged novel that explores the complexities of identity, love, and race in America. The story centers on Leo Proudhammer, a successful Black actor grappling with his internal struggles and the consequences of his past choices. Through Leo’s reflections on his relationships, particularly with his white lover, his family, and the pressures of his career, Baldwin paints a poignant portrait of the intersection of personal and societal conflict. As Leo confronts his own vulnerabilities, he faces the inescapable weight of racial and sexual identity in a world that demands conformity while rejecting authenticity.
Set against the backdrop of the turbulent 1960s, Baldwin examines themes of alienation, desire, and the quest for self-understanding. The novel is a meditation on the cost of success and the toll of systemic racism, as well as the emotional toll of living in a world where love and acceptance often come with painful limitations. With his signature eloquence, Baldwin explores the struggles of being Black in a white-dominated society, the scars left by past traumas, and the difficulty of reconciling one’s dreams with reality. Tell Me How Long the Train’s Been Gone is a raw and powerful work that challenges the reader to reflect on the complexities of human relationships and the personal sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom and self-acceptance.
This meeting for discussion of Book #207 is currently scheduled for March 22nd at 5PM.