Seductive Poison : A Jonestown Survivor's Story of Life and Death in the People's Temple

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Summary: The Magician's Marionette
Review: Ferociously powerful. Layton tells, in rivetting detail, the humbling story of how she succumbed to the manipulations of a brilliant mind magician. She never makes excuses for her part in this disasterous decision, never blames her parents, which makes her book all the more compelling. I read it in one sitting.

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Summary: Dramatically Stunning
Review: Pulling out all the stops, Deborah Layton has written an autobiography of passionate proportions. She has taken a historical subject seemingly well known and brought to it insight, a pulse and tension. I was hooked from the start. The reader is witness to history being made in a vicerally "you are there" book. Seductive Poison is an Experience. And a book all of us should read.

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Summary: POIGNANT
Review: The tale which resides inside the cover of Seductive Poisoning should be required reading for all high schoolers from 9th through 12th grade. It is a story that resounds for days thereafter. It has all the qualities that entice and retain one's interest: PASSION, POWER and ADVENTURE. From beginning to end Layton's account is vivid, absolutely engrossing and courageously honest. I loved reading it and--if one can admit to something so tragic in our history--never wanted it to end.

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Summary: Profound
Review: I found Seductive Poison at a home we were renting in the south of France and could not put it down. Very powerful. Very intense work. Our entire family took turns waiting to read it. Seductive Poison is consuming and a work everyone should have access to. Why hasn't this book been promoted more? It is an exceptional story written with admirable grace and painful honesty.

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Summary: I liked very much
Review: In France we have many groups like these one and it was very nice to read a book about how they work. The title is good because it is very much like that! My brother was seduce into a religion cult which sounds familiar to the Peoples Temple. We almost lost him just like Deborah. I think the book is very brave and I have many respect for the author.

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Summary: Tremendous, chilling and redemptive
Review: This is one book you won't forget, telling it like it was with soul and verve. I was blown away with the honesty and heart with which Deborah Layton wrote this tremendous autobiography of her young life and almost death sentence with Jim Jones. Every chapter took my breath away, kept my heart racing and never let me down. What's next from this author? Hers is a fresh voice in the wasteland of publishing. Seductive Poison, as others have said, should be read by all.

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Summary: A+ Totally Consuming! Should be Required Reading for Y/As
Review: I've never enjoyed any of the books on my Required Reading List until now. Seductive Poison is one of the best books I've ever read. It's the first I called home about and told my folks to buy immediately. I could'nt put it down nor did I want to. The story spoke to me. I have seen a lot of operations on campus that mimic the Jim Jone's classic tactics, luring young people to a meeting, promising community, friendship and spiritual enlightenment. IT IS SEDUCTIVE when you're new on campus. Like Layton shows, it begins so innocently, that's what's so fascinating about her book. You are there and can see how manipulative and clever the Reverend Jones is. I wish we'd had this on our 12th grade readering list. High school is where we should learn more about the dangers facing us once we leave home. "Seductive Posion" is powerful and necessary IF you want to stay safe. This book will interest people of all ages not just Young Adults Y/A and a college student.

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Summary: Where innocence overcomes evil. My book group loved it!
Review: I loved Seductive Poison and recommended it to my book group. After some discussion they agreed to read it. Although there were some who thought it would have no affect upon them--all were surpirsed to find that this story has universal themes: good conquering evil, innocence overcoming deceit and how this could happen to anyone's family: rich, poor, black, white, immigrant or ensconsed blue blood. It is a breathtaking account of a young woman's life, filled with suspense and heartwarming honesty. It has all the elements of a great thriller and yet all of it is true.

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Summary: Deborah Layton has written a masterpiece
Review: In 1978, the world's most unfathomable tragedy took place. Anyone over 30 years old can remember exactly where they were and who they were with when the news of the JONESTOWN MASSACRE came over the news wires. Now, you can read the story from the inside out. Seductive Poison is a dark and beautiful memoir by a courage and talented storyteller and survivor. Great for BookGroup discussions!

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Summary: Brave And Courageous
Review: I was only 12 years old when the Jonestown Tragedy occured and I've always wondered how and why it happened. After seeing Deborah Layton on the Discovery Channel talking about the Danger of Cults and how no one joins a cults--but that they join self help groups and political movements and how these organizations can change slowly- -I bought her book. It is a story that should be read by everyone. It explains in beautiful detail the people who believed and how they were deceived. I have given the book to my son, now 15 to make sure he learns from this book the warning signs. Deborah Layton should be seen on more shows...