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.
The importance of these stories is enhanced by the fact that a number of contributors have died. They are indicated below by the † symbol next to their name.
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@sdsu.edu so that we may add your story.
Interviews with American Embassy officers
A Child of Peoples Temple Finds Hope at Memorial (2011)
The Trauma of Marriage to a Temple Survivor (2003)
Laughing with Liane, by Kristine Alles (2011)
Reflections and Articles by Susan Ashby
† Reflections and Articles by Barbara SinesReflections and articles by Kathryn (Tropp) Barbour
† Reflections and Articles by Glenda Randolph Bates
Remarks at May 29, 2011 Jonestown Memorial Dedication Service, by Jessie Beagle (2011)
Reflections and Articles by Jack Arnold Beam
† 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)
Life Would Never Be the Same, by Nina Berry (2019)
Snapshots from a Jonestown Life, by Phil Blakey (2018)
My Adolescence in Peoples Temple, by James Bernie Blanton (2011)
Reflections and Articles by Thom Bogue
Reflections and Articles by the Family of Donald Bower
Reflections and Articles by Dorothy Brooks
† Poetry of Teri Buford O’Shea
My Peoples Temple Christian Church Experience, by Jesselle Carter (2018)
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 Jean Brown Clancey
† Reflections and Articles by Jim Cobb
† Wayne Pietila: A Life of Quiet Passion, by Teresa Cobb (2012)
Rock This Way, by Jackie Colbert (2013)
Theologies of Oppression, by Arlander Ronnie Cole (2008)
† Reflections and Articles by June and Gene Cordell
Edith Cordell and the Cordell Family Legacy, by Don Cordell (2013)
What Did November 18, 1978 Do To Me? by Donna Cordell Lawrence (2008)
Honoring My Duty to My Family, by Steve Daniel (2013)
Reflections and Articles by Denise Davenport
Questioning the Cults Around Us, by Laura Davis (2012)
My Journey to and from Peoples Temple, by Dominique Z. Delphine (2018)
Dominique Delphine Interview with Tim Reiterman (1980)
Articles and Reflections by Kim Dutra Arvold
Investigation, Reflections and Articles by Laurie Efrein Kahalas
Reflections and Articles by Prophet/Pastor Hue Fortson, Jr.
A Visit to Peoples Temple, by June Gerlach (2005)
† Notes on Peoples Temple, by Carlton B. Goodlett (1988)
† Reflections and Articles by Vernon Gosney
Reflections and Articles by Dan Harpe
The Last to Remember Stanley Gieg, by Deb Harper (2020)
Living Through the Pain, by Silvia Harrill (2008)
Reflections and Articles by the Family of Liane Harris
MaryLou, Our Secret Sister, by Mike Higgins (2017)
Reflections and Articles by Lela Howard
Meeting The Lady I Never Knew, by Chris Demirdjian (2007)A Young Girl’s Story, by Bunny Jackson (2008)
The Great Protector, by Janet Jackson (2014)
† State of Mind, by Claire Janaro (2008)
Reflections and Articles by Charles Johnson
The Death of Innocence, by Pinkie Jones (2007)
Reflections and Articles by Stephan Jones
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
The Longest Twenty Years, by Bryan Kravitz (2003)
Poetry, Reflections and Articles by Garrett Lambrev
Listening to the skeptical side, by Doug Lashley (2021)
Reflections and Articles by Deborah Layton
† 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
Remembrances and Articles by Kenneth A. Odell
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)Gerald Parks: My Father, My Hero, by Tracy Parks Diaz (2023)
A Visit to Peoples Temple, by Jacinta Hector Powers (2012)
Memories of My Sister: Melanie Hector Simon, by Jacinta Hector Powers (2012)Living in Rome, by Jim Randolph (2010)
Laura Johnston Kohl: Fierce in Her Defense of Those She Loved, by Jim Randolph (2020)Remarks at May 29, 2011 Jonestown Memorial Dedication Service, by Craig Reubens (2011)
An Early Departure from Peoples Temple, by Susan Saylor (2018)
Reflections and Articles by Dianne Scheid
In Loving Memory of Claire Ol’ Bean, by Liz Schwartz (2020)
Reflections and Articles by Janet Shular
Poetry, Reflections and Articles by Andy Silver
The Aunt I Never Knew, by August Silverstein (2017)
† Reflections and Articles by Neva Sly Hargrave
† Reflections and Articles by Juanell “Nell” Smart
Articles and Reflections by Eugene Smith
Interview with Ivo Spalatin
Ivo Spalatin was a member of the Staff Investigative Group of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs, which investigated the assassination of Rep. Leo Ryan. He was interviewed in December 2019 by Preston Jones of the Military Response to Jonestown website.My Mother, Agnes Jones, by Robert Spencer (2014)
Reflections and Articles by Timothy Oliver Stoen
The Military Assignment That Turned Historic, by Paul Storm (2023)
Reflections and Articles by Mickey Touchette
Reflections and Articles by Mike Touchette
Poetry, Reflections and Articles by Jordan Vilchez
Reflections and Articles by Leslie Wagner-Wilson
Surprise! I’m Alive and Look What I’m Doing Now, by Tommy Washington (2010)
Reflections and Articles by Vera Washington
My Mother, My Superhero, by Jakari L. Wilson (2017)
