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Summary: Rarely have I been so exhilerated...
Review: I can't remember when I've enjoyed a non-fiction so much. Sad indeed, yet funny in many places, Layton has given life and language to the silenced voices of those who were lost in Jonestown. After ten years of success in California with Jim Jones becoming Director of the Human Rights Commission and garnering himself a political position as Head of San Francisco's powerful Housing Authority, a young journalist began to take a closer look and trouble began to brew for the minister. This is when he moved his flock of hunderds to a failing fortress in South America which he so egotistically named after himself, JonesTown. This is a rich and vibrant book which brings history alive in an entirely readable and inclusive way. Its time we all took a closer look at how these organizations work.
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Summary: Powerful account of the mercurial world of a madman
Review: Honesty and integrity went into the writing of this powerful memoir. It gripped me from the first page and never let go. This is one book that you'll think about for weeks afterwards.
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Summary: Chilling and Seductive from beginning to end
Review: There are memoirs that defend ones' position and others that use the vehicle as a chance to swipe at another. I've read expose's that were completely self serving and autobiographies that were mostly fiction. Seducitve Poison, however is different. It is told with absolute honesty. Deborah's story enblazens itself into ones memory. She made awful mistakes! Her teenage rebellious cries for help fell on partially deaf ears then landed her in English boarding school. There she was unwittingly prepped for the arms of satan. This is a chilling story. Thank the Lord that GOD stepped in and gave her the wisdom to escape and tell all. Her website is quite informative. (it's her name . com)
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Summary: Incredible and amazing story
Review: I read this book for my History Assignments, The Influence of Cults Over the Centuries. I imagined the project would be boring until I read Seductive Poison. What happened to Deborah made all the sense in the world to me. I could understand how and why she would belive in and follow Jim Jones. I realized that her expereince in Jonestown is not all that remote. It does happen. I thought I would find that those people who join cults as very different from me, but this book has made me realize it can happen to anyone. It all depends upon where you are in your emotional developement, young or old. I was deeply moved by what the author went through and wish everyone had the chance to read this incredible book.
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Summary: What could happen to my Mommy
Review: I have read this book and other books about cults. My mommy belongs to a cult and I am afraid that she will one day run off to be with her Master, the Guru Maharaji. He is currently organizing a town in Australia, very much like Jonestown, and one day he will invite all f his Premies to join him there. I would like to have my mother read this book so that she will realize that the cult to which she belongs is a dangerous and possibly life threatening thing. I am currently working on a book about her involvment with the Maharaji/Elan Vital Cult. This book is a must for anyone who has a parent involved with such twisted leaders as Jim Jones, and Guru Maharaji, they have both declared themselves to be God.
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Summary: Desperately profound
Review: I was struck by the photographs in the book which I perused first. The Layton family is obviously well bred, of good handsome stock, all well educated e.g. the photo of the young author on her way to boarding school in England. The visuals alone tell the story of a highly cultured life in Germany, in England, in America, and the gradual descent away from the norm and into the tragic unknown. What I found fascinating is the repetition of history when it is not observed. That Lisa Layton, the author's mother kept secret that she was a jewish escapee from Nazi Germany was, in the end, what affected each of her children's decisions especially the authors and her own. I was deeply affected by the story and how two innocent decisions (the mother's secret about her heritage and the author's youthful exuberance about joining the People's Temple) can alter so dramatically so many other people's future and almost destroy an entire family. Beautifully written and deeply affecting.
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Summary: WOW!
Review: Such a gripping tale. What an honor to have someone like Deborah Layton tell her story for all of us to learn from. I read it in one nail biting evening. What an incredible tale. Such a great writer.
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Summary: Wonderful, sad and worth the intense feelings
Review: Seductive Poison is a book I assumed would have no affect on me. The whole Jonestown thing was a historical event that, to me, showed how some people will swallow any big fish story. HOWEVER, I have found Deborah's memoir to be enlightening and, even more than that, a story so intense and honest I was ashamed of my initial reaction. I was able to identify with many of her youthful feelings of loss, lonliness and sorrow. Through her wonderful story telling voice I was taken into the 1970's with all the unrest. When college-aged boys and parents alike were terrified of the ravages of the Vietnam war. When everyone was searching for meaning in a seemingly unbuoyed time. And suddenly, Jim Jones was cleverly present with answers. It is what garnered him so many youthful followers. If anyone wants to understand the era of the 60's and 70's Seductive Poison will do that and much, much more. One of the most impressive non-fiction books I've enjoyed in a long time.
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Summary: Scary
Review: My class had to read this book. It is good, but scary to think how easy it would be to be manipulated by someone you trust. I have a friend whose boy friend is alot like that. He's very handsome, but bossy and sometimes rough with her. She's afraid of him too, but defends him anyway. I think that's what happened to all those members of Jim Jones cult. I am thankful the author could finally see through all the lies and run away. I'm glad she wrote the book.
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Summary: There but for the Grace of God...
Review: I heard of this book while listening to the radio. While Deborah Layton's lyrical voice wafted into the living room I realized how wrong I've been. Her message strong and clear is IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE. Layton had to escape from many things in her life--lies within a family, secrets within a marriage, misery in adolescense, only to find that the person she ran to, the Reverend Jim Jones, was as mad as a hattter. Seductive Poison is a story of teenage rebellion, idealism, promises from "on high", misplaced trust and finally, thankfully, Redemption. Layton has written a very powerful book from the opening Dedication page to the end with her incredibly interesting Acknowlegments. There, but for the Grace of GOD, have gone too many of us. Deborah tells a universal tale.
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