Rating: 
Summary: Hair raising Journey
Review: This book which started off slowly builds into one of the most exciting, suspenseful books I ever read. It had me at the edge of my seat dying of anxiety as Deborah described her hair raising escape. I mean, I knew she got out because she wrote the book but I was still sick with fear for her as she experienced each unexpected obstacle to her successful exodus from the hell Jim Jones called paradise. Her account is also interesting in what it tells about The People's Temple as seen by a very young and innocent girl. The other book I have read, Jeannie Mills' "Six Years With God," shows the same organization but through the eyes of a middle-aged housewife and mother. The same basic facts emerge from both books but the difference in age, maturity, experience and ability to see through the lies both had accepted at one time make for interesting comparative reading. Jeannie Mills' book is out of print not (unfortunately) but Debbie Layton's book is hear to remind us that those who don't remember history are doomed to repeat it.
Rating:
Summary: Profound insight into the madness of totalitarian regimes
Review: Seductive Poison, a powerful memoir, leads the reader into the glorious world of Great Expectations and then lets go of our hand. From then on, the reader lives the life the author experienced, as we detour from the lighted path into the darkened cavern where Hope is crushed and fear and madness reign. We believe that it "just can't happen again," but it has and does again and again, in Europe with Hitler, China with Mao, Russia with Stalin and continues now in smaller ways, infringe groups, like the Freeman in Montana, Ruby Ridge, Oklahoma, Waco and San Diego. Unfortunately, there will be more tragedies as the millennium comes to a close unless we stop and listen to someone who knows. Layton's book-- by allowing us access into the world of devotion, loyalty to one master, the darkness of self righteous deceit-- gives the reader insight into the world of Absolute Power and how it corrupts. Few people have the strenghth and courage to escape which makes this book that much more imperitive to read, so that you and I will listen to their warnings when they do.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely insightful
Review: I loved this book. It explained what the attraction was for all who joined, it showed how these same folks were slowly forced into staying against their wills, but mostly it gave me an insight into the reasons why this happened and how it could happen again. This is a very important book that no one should miss.
Rating:
Summary: A refreshing and powerful wake up call
Review: Sedutive Poison is haunting, beautiful, tragic and, as base as this may sound, Thrilling. I was riveted from the beginning Introduction by the Washington Post journalist and occasional corresponedent of the NPR NewsHour, Charles Krause, who WAS THERE at the END of the massacre. He sets the tone and historical importance of this autobiography by Layton who joined Jim Jones' group as a young girl.Deborah Layton's memory and ability to tell this story in such a AS IT IS HAPPENEING intensity is both transcending, thrilling and breath-taking. Our children, who are the targets of groups like the Jonestown Cult, should be required to read this. Seducitve Poison gave me insights I never thought possible into one of the strangest and frightening groups of the 20th Century. Much like the theme of the academic work, "Hitler's Willing Executioners", Layton shows how ultimate power and peer pressure can consume even the best of us and turn us into blind, god-fearing savages. It took great courage for Layton to tell her horrendous story without ever asking for pity or forgiveness. Unlike so many Tell All books, this memoir is not self serving nor does she point the finger at everyone else, and try to excuse herself. Layton's life story is an educational, heartrendering and refreshing breath of frigid air.
Rating:
Summary: Mesmerizing and Powerful!
Review: I went out and purchased this book after listeneing to Ms. Layton on NPR's ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. It was an immensley powerful interview. It gave me chills, choked me up and made me realize there was more to this story than I had ever understood. This is a book that should be required reading for all 12th graders and parents of young adults. It is also an exciting read for everyone else. Not only is it informative it reads like a polished thriller. I also just read a great review of Seductive Poison in The NATION's February 1st edition on line. Ms. Layton's theme fits every one of Ms. Winphrey's topics: Survivor, Victim - Victorious, Innocence Lost and Regained, How to Protect Your Loved Ones from the Clutches of a Dangerous Organization. Even the millenium scare ought to help this book take off. IF you want to understand how it could happen, under what circumstances and how nearly impossible it was for Layton to escape, then get this memoir. I, for one, am very impressed with this womans writing skills and painful honesty. I, at last, do understand and I thank the author for allowing me into her world.
Rating:
Summary: More like a suspense thriller than required reading
Review: This book is incredible. It was actually fun to read. I had no idea how easily Jim Jones gained power in San Francisco Politics. Seductive Poison is testament to the adage--you can get anyone elected if you pay enough. The reverend Jim Jones did just that by showing politicians that he could get them elected if they supported his 'church." I am glad my professor assigned this for our social psych class and that I didn't blow it off. It can see how easily people were lured in. I know enough from college and Frat life that ALL OF US are susceptible.
Rating:
Summary: CAPTIVATING-- A Perfect 10
Review: I thank the author for her honesty and amazing courage to write about this too-often dismissed and poorly diagnosed historical event. Being allowed access to the thoughts of Jim Jones was frightening and oddly satisfying. Layton deserves much acclaim for bravery under extreme and dangerous conditions. Without her escape we would never have known the truth. DEEPLY MOVING
Rating: 
Summary: fascinating but lacking insight
Review: Contrary to most reviews here I did not find this book particularly insightful as to what was really going on with the Peoples Temple or how the author became so entranced with this highly dysfunctional group. Soon after joining up, the author begins to accept at face value such absurd teachings as "all men are homosexuals except Jim Jones" and "socialism is God", she enthusiastically signs affidavids admitting to wanting to kill the president, and vehemently denounces friends for tempting Jim Jones when he is actively molesting her. The explanation for this behavior is apparently that the author was very innocent and felt unloved by her family. The author also describes amazing scenes of people vomiting up cancers and other dramatic healings by Jones but never explains what she thinks is really going on here. References are made to several influential politicians of that time but no explanation for their involvement with such a bizarre group. I could give many other examples of fascinating tidbits of info that are not really discussed in depth. Perhaps the author was just an extremely naive victim at the time but I bought the book on the assumption that at this point in her life she would now be able to provide more insight.
Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading for any student
Review: Granted, I was not a student when I read this several months ago and still am not, I'm of the opinion that it should be required reading. I was two years old when the Jonestown Massacre occurred and it has long been some sort of enigma because of my youth at the time. Ms. Layton's work helped open it all up for me and see how so many, like herself, were sucked in by Jones' charismatic ways at such a time of great upheaval and uncertainity, on a variety of levels. I am reminded of that phrase that says something like, "those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it." That's why I think this should be required reading. Of course, all the study in the world couldn't guarantee it wouldn't happen again: I mean, look at Waco, Heaven's Gate, the Supreme Truth (or whatever those Sarin-happy Japanese cultists were named).
Rating:
Summary: UNFORGETABLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I concur with the review entitled A QUIET STORM: from Charleston, SC USA I couldn't say it better: I cannot begin to explain how powerful and breath taking this book is. It reads like a "Best Seller" I read the book in one day, into the wee hours of the morning, because it captured my soul. I could not believe how everything just seemed to flow. Deborah had such a difficult adolescence period, then reading on you could see how easy it was for her to become so involved with Peoples Temple. She wrote the book so that each thread unraveled in sequence. I know in the end it seemed as though this would all end for Deborah, but here I am writing a review; however, I have never been so emotionally swept up by a book (a true story at that). I cried for her, the victims, Mama, her brother...what an experience. She must have healed some since then, but she can only imagine how many people she has healed. Her book, her life, her experience is so amazing, I am so thankful she lived to share it with society. I commend her on her bravery, her strength, and her honesty to share her past with her daughter. Deborah has made a wise decision by being honest with her daughter in sharing her tragedy, she will only be honored to have that connection they will possess. "We never know who we are till we are called to rise; And, then if we are true to plan Our statues touch the skies." --Emily Dickinson
Yes, Deborah's statue has definately reached the skies!
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