The icon which characterizes Jonestown in the public mind is a picture of a galvanized metal vat, surrounded by bloated bodies. This image dehumanizes the victims, however, and disconnects us from the tragedy.

The fact is, those who died in Jonestown were real people, with families, friends, and loved ones. The best way to appreciate this fact is to read personal reflections by those with direct knowledge of Peoples Temple and its members.

The articles below offer a wide range of perspectives on the life of Peoples Temple and the deaths in Jonestown. All were written by former members and relatives of the people who died. While each individual story brings a powerful voice to any consideration of the events of 18 November 1978, their totality contributes to an even more important – if sometimes cacophonous – body of work. For that reason, these stories represent the foundation for an online collection of perspectives which we hope will grow over the years.

We invite other members and families of Peoples Temple – whatever your views on the tragedy of Jonestown and the factors that led to its end – to join in this chorus. Contact us at remoore@mail.sdsu.edu so that we may add your story.

Jonestown Survivor 9 (2007)

The Death of Innocence (2007)

The Trauma of Marriage to a Temple Survivor (2003)
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Jonestown Relative Issues Call to Action by Susan Ashby (2007)

“Were We Special? Are We Still?” by Kathryn (Tropp) Barbour (2006)

"Afterwards" by Don Beck (2005)

"The Healings of Jim Jones" by Don Beck (2005)

"November 18, 9/11, Tsunami, & Katrina: Impressions" by Don Beck (2005)

"A Peoples Temple Life" by Don Beck (2005)

“Re-Connection and Restoring Dignity” by Don Beck (2006)

The Theology of Peoples Temple: A View from Inside by Don Beck (2007)

To Honor and Cherish by Don Beck (2007)

“Larry Layton and Peoples Temple: Twenty-Five Years Later” by Frank Bell (2003)
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“The Anniversary Syndrome” by Jeff Brailey (2003)
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“Drinking the Kool-Aid” by Mike Carter (2003)
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"Surviving Katrina" by Tim Carter (2005)

“The Big Grey” by Tim Carter (2003)
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"Harriet Remembered" by Mike Cartmell (2005)

“Temple Healings: Magical Thinking” by Mike Cartmell (2006)

“A Few Words And Booklist” by Jim Cobb (2006)

“Reflections” by Gene and June Cordell (2003)
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Meeting The Lady I Never Knew by Chris Demirdjian (2007)

“A Jonestown story” by Hue Fortson (2004)

“Notes on Peoples Temple” by Carlton B. Goodlett (1988)
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“The Voice” by Vern Gosney (2003)
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“A Thousand Eyes” by Vernon Gosney (2006)

“Notes from a Dead Socialist” (2004)

"Experiencing the Art of Patti Chastain Haag in the New Millennium" by Michael Haag (2005)

“Patti Chastain Haag – A Remembrance” by Michael Haag (2003)
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“Shade” by Patti Chastain Haag (1992)
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“Portraits of Patti Chastain Haag” (2004)

And The Truth Shall Set You Free? by Neva Sly Hargrave (2007)

“What Good Is Anger?” by Neva Sly Hargrave (2006)

A Blessing and a Responsibility by Lela Howard (2007)

“How I Remember 1978” by Lela Howard (2006)

How it began by Lela Howard (2007)

How to stop the nightmares by Lela Howard (2007)

“Remembrances” By Janet (2003)
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“Angels” by Stephan Jones (2003)
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Going Home by Stephan Jones (2007)

“Like Father, Like Son” by Stephan Jones (2003)
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"Marceline/Mom" by Stephan Jones (2005)

"A Blessing Ceremony, To Restore the Dignity and Integrity of the Souls Who Perished at Jonestown" by Laurie Efrein Kahalas (2005)

“A Different Course” by Laurie Efrein Kahalas (2003)
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“Peoples Temple Was Not a “Cult of Assassins”” by Laurie Efrein Kahalas (2004)

"The Joiners of Peoples Temple" by Laura Kohl (2005)

“A Temple Member’s Odyssey” by Laura Johnston Kohl (2003)
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“Sex in the City? Make That, The Commune” by Laura Johnston Kohl (2004)

The Peoples Temple Planning Commission by Laura Johnston Kohl (2007)

"The Silence That Need Not Be" by Laura Kohl (2005)

Why Study Or Reflect On Peoples Temple? by Laura Johnston Kohl (2007)

“The Longest Twenty Years” by Bryan Kravitz (2003)
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The Board (Of Elders) by Garrett Lambrev (2007)

"The Living Word and Me: The Limits of Anarchism in Peoples Temple" by Garrett Lambrev (2005)

“Questions That Remain” by Garrett Lambrev (2003)
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“Linda Harris: A Remembrance” by Virgil Miller (2003)
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“The Deaths of Two Daughters: Grieving and Remembering” by Barbara Moore (1988)
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“In Search of Truth and Understanding about Jonestown” by John V Moore (2003)
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“Jonestown: Catalyst for Social Change” by Robert B. Moore (1988)
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“Who Guided My Life?” by Hattie Newell (2003)
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“Grieve, Forgive and Let Go” by Hattie Newell (2004)

“Together We Stood, Divided We Fell” by B. Alethia Orsot (1988)
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Thank You by Vicki Perry (2007)

“Remarks at the Nineteenth Anniversary Memorial Service for the Victims of the Jonestown Tragedy” by Mary R. Sawyer (1997)
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“The plain ugly truth” by Dianne E. Scheid (2006)

“David Richard Shular – A Remembrance, One Year Later” by Janet Louden Shular

“Beneath the Surface” by Andy Silver (2004)

“A Cultural Biography” by Andy Silver (2006)

Notes from a Journal by Andy Silver (2007)

"Relishing the Successes of Ordinary Life" by Andy Silver (2005)

“25 Years Later” by Andy Silver (2004)

“Connecting the Dots: Group Goals, Self-Expression, and Suicide to Planetary Survival by Andy Silver (2004)

From Koolaid to Lemonade: Reflections on the Emperor Who Had No Clothes by Andy Silver (2003)
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“The Pain That Never Leaves” by Barbara Sines (2004)

“Four Years of Utopia, Then Prison!” by Neva Sly (2003)
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"Moving On" by Neva Sly Hargrave (2005)

“A Story of Deprogramming” by Neva Sly Hargrave (2004)

"Breathing Normally" by Juanell "Nell" Smart (2005)

“My Life In – and After – Peoples Temple” by Juanell “Nell” Smart (2004)

Moments in Time by Eugene Smith (2007)

“Jonestown Tragedy Touches “Normal” Family” by Roger Stacy (2004)
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The Spirit Rekindled by Roger Stacy (2007)

“To the Survivors of Peoples Temple” by Tim Stoen (2003)
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Insight and Compassion: Vestiges of Peoples Temple by Jordan Vilchez (2007)

“Reflections on Leaving the Temple” by Vera Washington (2003)
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“25 Years After Jonestown” by David Wise (2003)
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"Jonestown, the CIA and the Mystery Tape" by David Wise (2005)

“Mind Control and Torture, Or, Mass Murderers, Megalomaniacs, and Fear Mongers” by David Wise (2006)

“ReUnited after 35 years through the Alternative Considerations Website” by David Wise (2006)

“Sex in Peoples Temple” by David Wise (2004)