Raven

The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones and His People

By: Tim Reiterman

Narrated by: Mitch Horowitz

Length: 29 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The basis for the upcoming HBO miniseries and the "definitive account of the Jonestown massacre" (Rolling Stone).

Tim Reiterman's Raven provides the seminal history of the Rev. Jim Jones, the Peoples Temple, and the murderous ordeal at Jonestown in 1978.

This PEN Award-winning work explores the ideals gone wrong, the intrigue, and the grim realities behind the Peoples Temple and its implosion in the jungle of South America. Reiterman's reportage clarifies enduring misperceptions of the character and motives of Jim Jones, the reasons why people followed him, and the important truth that many of those who perished at Jonestown were victims of mass murder rather than suicide.

This widely sought work is restored to print after many years with a new preface by the author.

©2008 Tim Reiterman (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“The definitive account of the Jonestown massacre; Reiterman was among a group of journalists, concerned relatives and congressional aides to accompany Congressman Leo Ryan on the ill-fated journey to Guyana to survey Jonestown.” (Rolling Stone)

“The seminal book on the story of Jonestown.” (Associated Press)

“Unquestionably emerges as the most valuable book on Jonestown to date.... Every piece of the puzzle is here.” (David Evanier, National Review)

Incredible

An incredible story that goes way back into Jones' past and takes us through the history of People's Temple and it's unfortunate end. It's a tough story emotionally to get through at times, but at 29 hours unabridged this is about as complete a story as you can find.

Wow

This book is so informative and so fascinating. It goes back to his childhood and really sets up the end so well.
Audible 20 review sweepstakes entry

I thought that I would get used to the lisp.

I'm not saying this to be rude but 29 hours is a long time to listen to someone with a minor lisp.

if it were the author reading the book then I would give them a pass but as a professional narrator I'm just kind of surprised.

As painful a book as I have ever read.

This is a great story I doubt that any fiction could ever match this story It is so painful to read that so many people could be led and manipulated to a path of total destruction. I am only half way through this book and I know what is coming . I would highly recommend this book to most people simply for them to understand what can happen to anyone who falls into the wrong crowd or is misled by a wolf in sheep s clothing. I am not sure if I can make it through this book but it is important to anyone to read this if nothing else but to worn people about the traps that can befall anyone in this world.This book is very detailed and graphic at times but the story needs told and for that reason alone I give it four stars. As for performance It is a five star all the way. To me it is like going to the dentist to read this book but it has to be done. A great story about a terrible person .

Shocking and captivating

Growing up I had heard of Jim Jones, and I knew a little about what had happened, but this was just so horrifyingly eye opening. it dives deep into Jones's life and the lives of those around him.

I highly recommend.

A fascinating account into manipulation and deceit

The 1970’s were a terrible time , much like the current world we live in. Just Google what was going on in the news then and you’ll see the eerily similarities. This book try’s to find the who the what and the why that eventually lead 900 plus to meet a tragic end at Jones town. Can’t recommend it enough. You will not find a more comprehensive book on the subject.

Great Details!

This was very disturbing but so entertaining. I know the story of Jonestown but this book included so much more depth and detail and information about Jim Jones that I hadn’t heard before. It also personalized some of the victims, which I really enjoyed. Hearing the story from someone who was part of Senator Ryan’s trip was very touching.

Loved it!!!!!

I am a Jonestown fanatic so yes I had to read this one too
GLAD I DID!!!!!

Well worth your time.

This work is through, well read and holds your interest if you want to know how Jim Jones could do control people that they held the largest mass suicide event in modern history. It also takes you through the history and psychology of Jim Jones since childhood. Truly Fascinating.

I hope the CIA Dissected The Brain of Jones

Outstanding book, throughly researched - yet the outstanding writing style coupled with the great narration made the this audio book hard to stop listening to. I found myself sitting in my parked car at work, home, Walmart, etc., just a little longer each day. To say Jones was simply a madman discounts his uncanny ability to manipulate and control such a large group of people to do the unthinkable. Since this time we have seen variants of Cult Leaders like Jones since the Guyana Tragedy and while the cause of his death was a gunshot to the head, I hope that when the US Government flew his body to Dover AFB, somebody from the CIA, FBI, etc., tried to preserve what was left of his brain before his body was cremated, so it can be studied and see if there are any links to the makeup of his brain, DNA, genome map, etc., to those of other cult leaders have already or will become available (a comparison with Jim Jones to Charles Manson (when the time comes) would be fascinating. One last thing - the 1980 movie "Guyana Tragedy: The story of Jim Jones" was an outstanding made for TV movie, especially the performance of Powers Booth