Book: The White Album - by Joan Didion

The White Album is an autobiographical literary essay detailing loosely related events in the author's life in the 1960s, primarily in Los Angeles. In the course of describing her ongoing psychological difficulties, Didion discusses Black Panther Party meetings, drug-related experiences, a Doors recording session, various other interactions with LA musicians and cultural figures.

Didion also discisses several prison meetings with Linda Kasabian, who at the time was testifying against Manson, Krenwinkel, Atkins and Van Houten for the TLB murders. Apparently, Sharon had been an acquaintance of Didion's. The murder trial cast a cloud of fear over Hollywood that seemed to propel many of Didion's insights. The impression conveyed is one of a city and nation pervaded by paranoia and detachment.

The book is available at Amazon.com

Thanks to Suze for the tip.