Road to Jonestown

An Important Accurate Historical Report

It was 39 years ago, November 18, 1978, when 918 people were discovered in Northwestern Guyana. Many of you reading this will not have been born yet but I was a young woman residing in the UK. I went to my local Newsagent and picked up my copy of Life magazine and started to read it on the bus traveling into work. I can remember to this day how I was mesmerized by the magazine's cover. It was an aerial photo of a jungle settlement with what looked like a mass of multicolored garbage. Little did I know at that moment that the ‘garbage’ was actually people. So many people. People, three layers deep.

The work that I was 'off to' was health care. The 'saver' of life. To see this carnage effected me beyond words. Over the years I have read, listened to and watched almost everything on this subject as I just have not been able to 'get my mind around it'. I have heard people say that Jim Jones was merely ‘nuts' or just 'plain crazy'. However I am starting to think that it was never as simple as that. Yes, he was the most base of men of that there is no doubt but when he first started out he appeared to care. His goal was service. service and more service. What confused me even more was when he was hoarding funds from The Temple he still chose to live in the jungle and not in a hotel close by with some relative comfort. What was he planning on doing with all of that incredible wealth?

Jeff Guinn has done some excellent ‘detective work’ sourcing new information plus merging it all together with data already known and of course the immense amount of rumors surrounding this whole Jonestown debacle. He has made sense , if one can, of Jim Jones's life making it a most readable piece.

This is my first time listening to George Newbern. It will not be my last. After reading some of the other reviews I noted that people mentioned that they had a problem with some of his pronunciation. Well, fear not...It would appear (even if Mr. Newbern realizes it or not) that he has a touch of the Anglophile in him! This voice Actor pronounces some words in such a way that it would made HRH Queen Elizabeth II so very proud!

A great American historical piece that is definitely worth investing your time in.

25 of 29 people found this review helpful

Very Interesting to Learn About the Events

What made the experience of listening to Road to Jonestown the most enjoyable?

I remember hearing the news of Jonestown and never really knew what led up to those horrific events so I was curious to really understand why people would have fallen prey to Jim Jones. This book really helped me to understand how he began as a person who truly wanted to help others, and how events in his life led him to view himself as God on earth.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The author seemed to be repetitive in some parts of the story, and at times, I found myself saying, "OK, I get it, let's get on with the story." But, overall, it was still very informative and a compelling read.

Which character – as performed by George Newbern – was your favorite?

No favorites, Jim Jones was a monster.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

A detailed and balanced portrait

What made the experience of listening to Road to Jonestown the most enjoyable?

The comments from the former members of the People's Temple

What did you like best about this story?

The detailed portrait of Jones. We got to see him at his best and his worst. Like many, I was quick to think the worst of Jones. While I am not going to excuse what he did in Guyana, the author does give credit where it is due (such as the social programs to fight racism and addiction).

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Life and Death of the People's Temple.

Any additional comments?

This might be better in print, just so you could keep track of who was involved with the People's Temple and in what capacity. However, it was a well written piece of history and was very even handed in how it handled the central figure of Jim Jones.

14 of 17 people found this review helpful

Nice book, but some stereotypical descriptions

What did you like best about Road to Jonestown? What did you like least?

The book is quite thorough and well-researched. It is a gripping story, well told. The narration was excellent. What I liked least was the constant use of the words "slum" and "ghetto" as literal synonyms for black communities, all black communities. Not true. Even back then.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Road to Jonestown?

The ample, yet compelling background information about the ministry of Father Divine. I'd heard of him, but didn't know a lot about him. I learned quite a bit from this book. The information on Divine really puts a lot of Jim Jones's actions in context.

What does George Newbern bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is good at conveying sarcasm and, just through his voice, pointing out how utterly illogical some people's statements, actions and attitudes were.

Did Road to Jonestown inspire you to do anything?

Keep researching

Any additional comments?

One minor point: I believe that Marceline Jones, the wife of Jim Jones, pronounced her name "Mar-si-lynn" not "Mar-si-lean."

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

How about a little pronunciation research?

While I was totally absorbed in this fascinating, very well researched book, I was dismayed by how often the reader mispronounced the names of prominent characters. Though he may have been directed to pronounce them in a certain way, the fact that they were the names of ACTUAL people who pronounced their names differently should have been researched and respected. Foremost among these errors was the incorrect pronunciation of the name of the late San Francisco mayor, George Moscone. Others were Herb Caen (initially, later corrected), Jackie Spier, and Richard Hongisto. Next time....maybe a little pre-recording research.

43 of 55 people found this review helpful

Good Doers Held Hostage By a Complex Disturbed Man

If you could sum up Road to Jonestown in three words, what would they be?

Ideals poisoned by paranoia. Ok 4 words, not 3!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Road to Jonestown?

The most memorable moment was the horrific final moments in Jonestown when so many died of cyanide poising in that massive murder/suicide. Was made even more horrific when the author quotes from a doctor who reveals what an agonizing way cyanide is to end ones life involving minutes of painful suffocation.

Which character – as performed by George Newbern – was your favorite?

No one particular character. George Newbern rather then acting out characters lends a solid pleasant even keeled voice though out which worked very well for this type of non-fiction work. Gave a very engaging performance which was understated and even handed in just the right way for me.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The deaths in Jonestown, what a sad ending to so many beautiful lives

Any additional comments?

I've been fascinated for years about Jim Jones and The Peoples Temple. Was Jim Jones a good man gone bad, or crazy from very early in life? Why would so many follow him and not heed earlier warning signs? My opinion after reading this book is that he really wanted to do good and believed in and practiced diversity and socialism. However, due to a troubled youth and drug abuse his inner demons involving paranoia and fear of abandonment and need for absolute control destroyed whatever ideals he fought for. At the same time as the author lays out, many of his followers would justify the bad things they experienced as being worth it for the greater good until it was too late and many were hostages in Jonestown. One thing I still don't understand is why Jim Jones hoarded so much money he gained and started stockpiling it away instead of using it for his people and socialistic aims while in Jonestown? Maybe he wanted to prove he could make Jonestown self sufficient and his ego could not admit that he needed to dip into his vast savings to make his dream work? Maybe it was part of his cruelty making his people live and work in such meager conditions? Don't know.As you can see, this book gave me a lot to think about and consider and I would recommend it for those who want a comprehensive look at the life of Jim Jones. After reading this book, I've gained a new found respect for the followers of Jim Jones and think it is easy to say we could never get caught up in something like this. As started before , people will put up/accept much if they feel they are sacrificing for the greater good. The best point the author made for me was that while Jim Jones has been compared to Hitler and Manson, the big difference is the followers of Jim Jones were striving for greatness not evil. Bless them all living and dead!!!!

12 of 15 people found this review helpful

Intriguing and beautifully written

Captivating from beginning to the end. The author carefully traces Jones' slow rise and eventual demise. If you're interested in demagogues and their devoted followers, this book is perfect for you.

15 of 19 people found this review helpful

Religion, politics and death. The story of humans and their need to belong.

Charismatic individuals throughout history have succeeded in destroying the lives of entire generations. Jim Jones is no exception. This book explores the early years of Jones childhood and a glimpse into possible psychological effects of his upbringing. The Road to Jonestown is a must read for anyone fascinated with human behavior.

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

Illuminating

I thought I knew something about Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple, but what I really had was a memory based on the more or less sensationalist news accounts at the time of the mass suicide. Nothing about the good works and undoubtedly good early intentions of Jones. Exactly when he became unhinged is still a mystery to me, but I appreciate the fuller account of the events and the people involved.

Listening to this, I was able to empathize, for perhaps the first time, with cult followers rather than just scornfully dismissing them as lunatics. There was a time when I might well have been very susceptible to Jones’ curious mix of religion, blasphemy, economic theory, and social principles.

As for the writing, certain minor facts are repeated, repeated, and then repeated again. A small annoyance.

I disliked the narration. The reader rather randomly punches at certain words, whether they merit being emphasized or not. Kind of like an inexperienced news anchor at your local station. It comes out sounding like the reader is going for a verbal style rather than letting the performance come from an understanding of what is being read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Familiar Story with some Extras

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone who doesn't know a lot about Jonestown or Jim Jones. Having watched and studied the documentary Jonestown, a lot of this info was familiar. However, the book went into some childhood and marriage background that I didn't know about and was definitely an interesting listen.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Everyone knows how this story ends, so I appreciated the author's detailed account of events. There weren't any elements of suspense, but the author was able to give a detailed account of the days events and keep me engaged through to the end.

What three words best describe George Newbern’s voice?

Soothing, steady, monotone

3 of 4 people found this review helpful