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.

A Child of Peoples Temple Finds Hope at Memorial (2011)

The Trauma of Marriage to a Temple Survivor (2003)

Sing the song of life . Follow your dreams, by Jack Arnold (2009)

Reflections and Articles by Susan Ashby
       Reflections and Articles by Barbara Sines

Reflections and articles by Kathryn (Tropp) Barbour

Reflections and Articles by Glenda Bates

Remarks at May 29, 2011 Jonestown Memorial Dedication Service by Jessie Beagle (2011)

Reflections and Articles by Don Beck

Remembering the Beikman Family by Thomas Beikman (2011)

Larry Layton and Peoples Temple: Twenty-Five Years Later by Frank Bell (2003) _

My Adolescence in Peoples Temple by James Bernie Blanton (2011)

Reflections and Articles by the Family of Donald Bower

The Anniversary Syndrome by Jeff Brailey (2003)

Poetry of Teri Buford O'Shea

Reflections and Articles by Mike Carter

Reflections and Articles by Tim Carter

Reflections and Articles by Mike Cartmell

The Art of Patti Chastain Haag

Reflections and Articles by Jim Cobb

Theologies of Oppression, by Arlander Ronnie Cole (2008)

Reflections and Articles by June and Gene Cordell

What Did November 18, 1978 Do To Me? by Donna Cordell Lawrence (2008)

Reflections and Articles by Denise Davenport

Meeting The Lady I Never Knew by Chris Demirdjian (2007)

Articles and Reflections by Kim Dutra Arvold

Reflections and Articles by Prophet/Pastor Hue Fortson, Jr.

Reflections and Articles by Dawn Gardfrey

Notes on Peoples Temple by Carlton B. Goodlett (1988)

Reflections and Articles by Dan Harpe

Living Through the Pain, by Silvia Harrill (2008)

Reflections and Articles by the Family of Liane Harris

Reflections and Articles by Vern Gosney

Reflections and Articles by Lela Howard

A Young Girl’s Story, by Bunny Jackson (2008)

State of Mind, by Claire Janaro (2008)

The Death of Innocence by Pinkie Jones

Reflections and Articles by Stephan Jones

Investigation, Reflections and Articles by Laurie Efrein Kahalas

Address at May 29 Memorial Dedication Service by The Hon. Bayney Karran, Guyana Ambassador to United States (2011)
       Introduction of Ambassador Bayney Karran by Charles Krause (2011)

Reflections and Articles by Laura Johnston Kohl

Reflections and Articles by Bryan and Kristine Kravitz

Poetry, Reflections and Articles by Garry Lambrev

Chasing Serenity, by Deborah Layton (2008)

Jonestown: In the Prison of History Not Personally Lived by Chris Lewis, Jr. (2011)
       A Bridge between the Academic and the Personal by Chris Lewis, Jr. (2011)

How Bobby Survived and Returned, by Judy McAbee (2010)

Reflections and Articles by Dea McConnell

Recovering the Simple Pleasures in Life, by Diana Mertle Mills (2008)

Reflections and Articles by Linda Mertle

Linda Harris: A Remembrance by Virgil Miller (2003)

The Deaths of Two Daughters: Grieving and Remembering by Barbara Moore (1988)

Reflections and Articles by John V Moore

Jonestown: Catalyst for Social Change by Robert B. Moore (1988)

Remarks at May 29, 2011 Jonestown Memorial Dedication Service by Vickie Ijames Moore (2011)

My Father, Oliver Morgan, Jr. by Zelma Morgan (2011)

Reflections and Articles by Hattie Newell __

Reflections and Articles by Herbert Newell

Together We Stood, Divided We Fell by B. Alethia Orsot (1988)

Damn you, Jim Jones! by RP (2011)
      My Life Since the Temple by RP (2011)

Poetry and Reflections by Vicki Perry

Living in Rome, by Jim Randolph (2010)

Remarks at May 29, 2011 Jonestown Memorial Dedication Service by Craig Reubens (2011)

The plain ugly truth by Dianne E. Scheid (2006)

Reflections and Articles by Janet Shular

Poetry, Reflections and Articles by Andy Silver

Reflections and Articles by Neva Sly Hargrave

Reflections and Articles by Juanell "Nell" Smart

Articles and Reflections by Eugene Smith

To the Survivors of Peoples Temple by Tim Stoen (2003)

Eradicating an Expression, One Step at a Time by Mickey Touchette (2011)

Reflections and Articles by Mike Touchette

Poetry, Reflections and Articles by Jordan Vilchez

Reflections and Articles by Leslie Wilson

Surprise! I'm Alive and Look What I'm Doing Now, by Tommy Washington (2010)

Reflections and Articles by Vera Washington

Reflections and Articles by David Parker Wise

 

Reflections and Articles by Guy Young