By Their Father's Hand: The True Story of the Wesson Family Massacre Mass Market Paperback – May 29, 2007

The man, Marcus Wesson, was a horror to be sure. But the author tells an incomplete and not always accurate story (though I must admit keeping up with who and what belongs to who and what would be difficult).In the beginning he wonders why this story was not like OJ Simpson or some other high-profile true crime. I know why. First, the main characters, Marcus and his wife Elizabeth are respectively African American and Mexican American. Second, they are not pretty people.But there is also something smugly prurient about the story as it recounts the sexual molestation of the daughters by their own father and asked to do so in detail. That they had to do so from the stand in court does not mean that the author had to follow suit.In later stories that I read after reading the book, his sons recanted their earlier statements of absolute allegiance and fealty and love; they recanted saying that he was the best father in the world that anyone could have.These were the statements made right after the events. Their later comments of his physical abuse and the horror and filth in which they lived probably came after realizing that their lives were unusual. Most of the daughters who also produced children by their father stated that they had not known that anything about what they did was wrong, as the family was home-schooled and isolated from any contact with anyone outside the home.Marcus Wesson is the product of his own childhood. His father had a homosexual affair with one of his cousins, even leaving the home to live with this cousin. He was also a bad and unstable alcoholic. And he had a mother who was in complete denial about her circumstances; hiding behind her religion, hoping it would save her. But she didn't save her first born. She probably didn't know how. She was chosen by a man who would know he could do anything: have same-sex affairs; be financially and emotionally unsupportive of his family - and most of all - come back any time he was ready and needed a safe harbor.It is no wonder the son became his father and married a woman (described even by he own children as a shadowy presence), like his mother.I think my problem with this book as written was its lack of insight; lack of awareness of how and why adults and children behave as they do.

It's so hard to fathom how such a large family can be totally brainwashed into incest, polygamy, and a murder-suicide pact, all to protect a pervert who was:-deluded: believed that he was some sort of divine Master vampire-incredibly selfish (eating all the good food, while kids scrounge for food, and violating his own flesh and blood for his own sexual pleasure-and lazy (couldn't be bothered to scratch his own armpits, defrauded welfare by refusing to work BECAUSE "you can't work when you're in welfare.", And spent welfare money on pitiful boats and houses and a bus, among others. But no, he made his daughters/"wives" also work to support his sorry carcass, and the children he fathered through incest.)But it just demonstrates the psychological power a narcissistic and perverted father can have over children who are raised that way and don't know any different: so much power that it formed their self wills, as they grew up, to willingly cover for his sorry hide before AND after his arrest about all his molestations and incest, and ultimately, murder. I STILL can't believe how some of the surviving family members blamed the 2 daughters who came to rescue their kids from this madman, rather than the man who ordered their murder-suicide. I hope they have since been able to integrate into normal society, and place blame where it belongs. if so, kudos for them, can't imagine how hard it would be to overcome that kind of upbringing and thought processes.Nothing will bring back those beautiful innocent babies that were slaughtered, but at least that scum Wesson got the death penalty. little comfort, but some.I grew up in Fresno and remember this case, but just now read this book with the details. Makes my blood absolutely boil. This book is well written. The details of this criminal case are hard to stomach, unfortunately.Author did very well in his research, would recommend.

I waited to write my review until after reading Deadly Devotion, the family's version of this mass murder. It was previously titled, Where Hope Begins but I guess that title didnt attract the true crime fans. I also waited for the price of that book to go down on the Kindle version.In comparing the two, I found this book to be considerably better written. It stated the facts without being overly graphic. Deadly Devotion also had some false info in it like gunshot residue being found on Sebrenah Wesson's hands. No other published accounts said this...in fact they ALL said there was no gunshot residue found on her or Marcus Wesson. I never understood why Mrs. Wesson was given immunity. She did nothing to assist in the conviction of her husband. In fact, her and her children continued to defend Marcus for many years after the crime. And why wasnt everyone in the house tested for gunshot residue? Kiani, Rosie, Serafino and Mrs. Wesson were all inside the house and had the opportunity to shoot some or all of the children. And there is no proof Sebrenah committed suicide although Deadly Devotion leaves you with this impression. This book was well written and easy to read...finished it in 2 days. It simply stated the facts and allowed you to make up your own mind.Only disappointment was the family tree in the Kindle version was almost impossible to read.Review #15 - Kindle Edition

Great book-Very graphic at times-The father a real sicko-Got what he deserved but should of been shot at the old homestead. Jail is to good for this guy. He got off better than most of his family and they will have to live with the terror for the rest of their lives.

What a horrible event to happen to a family when the police are right there.

Very shocking book. Don’t remember it making news. But was good

The print is so small, makes it very difficult to enjoy.

Good read