Jonestown Massacre: Tragic End of a Cult by Gina De Angelis, Gina Angelis

Product Details

Annotation

Describes the life of Jim Jones and the church he established, supposedly to help people find a better life, and recounts the events that led to the deaths of Jones and his followers at their compound in Guyana in 1978.

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-Written in a clear and concise style, these books examine the personal history of the main individuals involved in the events, the incidents leading up to them, and the actual occurrences on the day the tragedies took place. In the first book, De Angelis examines Jim Jones's rise to his position as head of his church and his increasing paranoia about political and legal matters. The settlement of Jonestown, the ambush of the visiting American legislators and reporters, and the final mass suicide of 912 people are discussed in a manner that does not glamorize or sensationalize the violence. Columbine chronicles the occurrences at the Colorado high school on the day of the shooting rampage. Events of the day are also reported in a factual manner without emphasizing the horrors experienced by the students, teachers, and police. Both books are thoroughly researched and well written. The many full-color photographs do not call attention to gory details or scenes. Additional titles where more information on these events is needed, particularly for reluctant readers.-Elizabeth Stumpf, Clearfield Middle School, PA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.