Seductive Poison

Rating:
Summary: UNFORGETABLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Deborah Layton is lucky to be alive, after spending years in the grips of madman/late 'Reverend' Jim W. Jones and his People's temple. Her memoir of how life really was behind closed doors will leave you breathless and thankful that the madness that was the Temple is gone. Unfortunatley, 913 other followeres of Jones were lured to their own demise in Guyana, and the poignant style that Layton uses to describe her comrades really makes you feel that they were real people, not the lifeless corpses the news barraged the public with. Overall, a great read-- I suggest also Raven by Tim Reiterman, which gives a through history of the temple, Jones, and it's final years in the jungle.

Rating:
Summary: An insight into how and why
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: An insight into how and why
Review: I am the same age as Deborah Layton and I remember exactly where I was when I heard news of the deaths in Jonestown. Being a rather skeptical and questioning sort of person, I have always found it hard to comprehend how so many people could have been so mesmerized by Jim Jones. I've picked up numerous books on this topic though the years, but Deborah Layton's is the first to really address the personal how and why. I'm sure this was a heart wenching book to write and it is apparent there is still much saddness and guilt. She also raised some more questions in my mind about the stamp of approval from many leaders in the Democrat Party, the difficulty in getting protection after going to the American Embassy in Guyana and the failure of any decent investigation by the U.S. government.

Seductive Poison is very well written. Even knowing the facts, I found my heart racing and the tears falling. I think the fact that more than 200 people took the time to review this book reflects the impact it has on most readers.

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!

Rating:
Summary: Seductive Poison: A Jonestown Survivor's Story
Review: I just finished Deborah Layton's book, Seductive Poison, This book made me feel like I was there with her living all those things. The long hours she worked in the fields under the sun. I'm truely without words. I could feel her pain for her Mother Lisa Layton. This is a must read book. Her personal relationship with Jim Jones will leave you in disbelieve.

A great book!

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.