The articles below offer a wide range of perspectives on the life of Peoples Temple, the deaths in Jonestown, and the 26 years that have passed. 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 may also be found on our growing online collection of perspectives here.
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 or fieldingmcgehee@yahoo.com so that we may add your story.
- A Jonestown Story by Hue Fortson
- Notes from a Dead Socialist by Vernon Gosney
- Portraits of Patti Chastain Haag (courtesy of Michael Haag)
- Peoples Temple Was Not a “Cult of Assassins” by Laurie Efrein Kahalas
- Sex in the City? Make That, The Commune by Laura Johnston Kohl
- Grieve, Forgive and Let Go by Hattie Newell
- The Pain That Never Leaves by Barbara Sines
- Writings by Andy Silver
- A Story of Deprogramming by Neva Sly Hargrave
- My Life In – and After – Peoples Temple by Juanell “Nell” Smart
- Sex in Peoples Temple by David Park Wise