Language: PG-13 (12 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: R (drug use mentioned several times); Violence: R (Rape mentioned, mistresses mentioned, walking around inside in underthings, murders, including of babies and children, some dead body descriptions, gun violence, Beatings mentioned, public urination mentioned, sex mentioned several times)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
In 1978, people around the world were stunned when 900+ dead were found in a remote jungle area of Guyana - what remained of the Peoples Temple, aka Jonestown. Who was Jim Jones, why did he found this place in such a remote area, and why did more than 900 people, including 300 children, follow him to their deaths?
Fleming uses her deft research skills to dive behind the scenes into Jim Jones and the Jonestown massacre - from his childhood and to the day of the murders. It is a heavy read - it may be more appreciated by those like me who heard about the murders firsthand in the 70’s. Don’t discount Fleming’s work, however - it is also an excellent primer on the mind of a Svengali-like person who is in search of personal power no matter what the cost. And a peek into why people follow a cult-like personality and remain trapped within.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
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