Jim Jones was born in 1931 in Indiana. He became an ordained minister in the Christian faith and displayed a penchant for religious fanaticism even as a child. He formed the People's Temple, which he led from 1955 to 1978. He scammed his followers in a variety of ways. He had followers turn over their money, possessions, and property. He had them believing in fake miracles that he orchestrated. Eventually, he conned them into moving to a commune in South America, where Jones subjected them to various tortures and manipulations. Ultimately, 909 people died in the mass murder-suicides that Jones instructed that they carry out. Most members drank cyanide laced Flavor Aid after poisoning the children. A few died in various other ways, with Jones himself dying from a gunshot wound to the head. 276 of the dead were minors under the age of 18. Only 85 survived, due to being away from the commune or hiding through the events.

I have listened to podcasts, read and watched several things about Jim Jones and the People's Temple. I was surprised to learn new things from this book. I was unaware that Jones was cremated and scattered in the Atlantic Ocean, which is probably for the best. Some weirdos would definitely make his gravesite a bizarre shrine. I also never knew, forgot, or it never occurred to me that the people living in the commune were infested with intestinal parasites. People warn you about the transmission of parasites and other diseases from water in jungles and other countries...yet this never entered my mind. It also discussed the spread of ringworm and athlete's foot among followers and I just thing that adds an entire other level to the misery they must have been facing. This book was around 9 hours long. I started it yesterday at work and finished it today. If you are interested in cults, this is a solid book.