The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones and Peoples Temple by Jeff Guinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved Guinn’s book on Charles Manson and found this one just as well researched and interesting. I admit that I had a tough time focusing on the book from about halfway on to the end but I think that was my own issue rather than anything having to do with the book or narrator.
It was fascinating to hear first hand accounts of how what started as an organization focused on helping people ended up a deadly cult. I was also surprised by how similar some of the practices and beliefs presented here mirror those of Scientology – separating children from parents, banishing ex-members and not being allowed to have relationships with anyone outside of the church, etc.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever been interested in Peoples Temple or Jim Jones.