Tim ReitermanRaven: The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones and His People

This is not a book to read if you are only casually interested in the Jonestown tragedy and the history of the People's Temple. If, on the other hand, you have a more-than-casual interest in this fascinating and disturbing episode in American history, this is the book for you.I pondered buying this book for a long time. I'd become fascinated (morbidly, perhaps) by the story of Jonestown. I'd spent many hours reading, and listening to, the archive of Jonestown material which is hosted on the Jonestown Project website. The whole story raises questions about human nature, idealism, loyalty, and faith which continued to compel me-- and distub me. Did I really want to delve this deeply into the whole thing? Eventually, I decided I would. I found the book a long slog, more interesting in some parts than in others. The accounts of legal wrangles might be somewhat dull, but are certainly highly relevant-- especially since it was the battle over John Stoen, a child who Jim Jones claimed as his own but was in fact seized from his father, which ultimately led to the horrific climax of the whole saga.The account of the final night, and its aftermath, will probably be the most interesting section for most readers. I'd learned a lot about the mass suicide on the internet, but the efforts of the survivors to escape from Port Kaituma was covered in much more detail here than elsewhere.The biographical information about Jim Jones is also surprisingly thorough, right down to poetry his mother wrote.This is highly recommended-- if you can stomach it. The fact that it was written by a survivor of the fateful final night only makes it more gripping.

An excellent book worth reading without a doubt. Such a great shame that so many people were taken in by the nutter.If you are new to the story of The Jonestown ‘event’ I would suggest you check out some of the documentaries on You Tube first and then read this or some the other books on Jim Jones. He was clearly a few sandwiches short of a picnic. Just a great pity he didn’t convince L Ron Hubbard to join him in the Jungle.

This is an encyclopoedic work. Tells you every detail from parents to childhood. A valuable and fascinating study of what made this cult leader tick and helps to account for why so many seemingly intelligent people could follow him.

Just finished breathlessly reading this book in the space of 10 days! This is a very long read, it's almost 600 large information packed pages. I couldn't put it down. I feel like I'll be haunted by this story for a long time and to be honest it took over my thoughts for the 10 days I read it. Beware this is a grim story and the graphic ending is traumatic in the extreme! Not for the faint hearted but with all that said personally I found it an incredible read.

I read this quite soon after another book borrowed from the library. It is highly readable and Reiterman's involvement in the story gives it an added perspective. His first-hand account of the final weekend is gripping.

Saw the documentary on tv and thought it would be good to read the story.

The book arrived with a large fold across the front cover. I'm sure it was an honest mistake, but it was still disappointing because I bought this as a gift for a friend.

Item arrived as described.