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) 

What a very thoroughly written book!

Obviously this was very well-researched. The reader leaves with a much better understanding of what happened, the people affected, and what went wrong. Many passages were jaw-dropping. It's one of those books you just can't set down.

Provides authoritative insight into an enduring American tragedy

There is no getting around it, the story of the People's Temple and Jonestown is haunting, perplexing, tragic and so disturbing. We want to distance ourselves from this event. We want to believe that we would never be taken in by an ego maniacal narcissist but there are many Americans who are part of cult groups. Having read extensively about Jim Jones and the people he murdered, I am humbled. This is the most authoritative work on the topic. The authors care in sourcing and researching of every detail is evident throughout and the amazing insight into the final chapter that one of the authors can bring to bear because of his first hand knowledge is powerful.

bookgirl

AWESOME!!!! Amazingly researched and written. Narration is excellent. Truly mind boggling that Jim Jones was able to control so many for so long. He was a foul mouth meglomanic , an abuser, a sexual miscreant, but had the ability to control others.

Chilling

The book seems well-researched and well written.
It is interesting to hear about the tragedy from the perspective of a journalist and someone who experienced firsthand the events on the airstrip.
Reiterman does a good job taking us on Jim Jones's journey into madness and control. However, I would have preferred if the African-American rank-and-file characters had been fully developed rather than being treated as side players.
The narration was generally very good, and engaging, but at times it seemed the narrator sounded sleepy. I even detected a yawn at one point.

Lessons and History of a mad man!

If you could sum up Raven in three words, what would they be?

Unbelievable Education Gained! Being only 10 yrs old when this tragedy happened, it didn't really "soak in" what this meant in the realm of history. Almost 40 years later, it has become more interesting to me & I was hoping to learn more about the cult & everything involve. Did I ever!! The research and writing of this book is phenomenal! Impressive research by Mr. Reiterman and all involved brings this entire story to life. I cannot fathom the number of hours, months, YEARS he has put into this project, but he deserves kudos for every minute of it. He & the narrator kept the story moving very well & the education gained was invaluable. I knew the man was insane, but I had no idea the level of deceipt, brainwashing, abuse (both sexual and mental) that went on. DRUNK on power, this man was out of his mind & it's so sad to think of the lost souls that put their entire lives into his hands and believing that he was the God and their answer.

What does Mitch Horowitz bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He kept it moving very well for me. I can't stay that involved for that long, but as he read it to me, I found myself not being able to "put it down".

Oh My God!

And I'm not cussing when I say that. Raven is one of ,if not the most unbelievable horror stories I've read.I found it terribly upsetting. What makes it so shocking for me is these people are Americans of all ages and backgrounds. Jones controlled everything about their lives, abused them mentally and physically .They stood by while he abused other Temple members,even the children. Raven does a fantastic job of showing how Jones gained this power over his followers. The book is long but perhaps necessarily so.Tim Reiterman keeps the story flowing,as does the narrator.

Mind numbingly slow.

after 3 hours I gave up. this book is insanely slow moving and brings up constantly, small trivial facts that even a jonestown historian would find unnecessary and tedious. the idea of listening to 26 more hours of this book made me want to drive my truck off an over pass.

eye opener very thorough

one of the most informative books on the topic, i am about to listen to another so I will be able to compare, also a very good narrator which makes all the difference

Jim Jones and Jonestown

A recitation of the risks of BEING G-D. Will our egos EVER learn? Well written.

The most comprehensive accounting of the horror

Riveting, well documented, chock full of detail. Amazing history told clearly without bias. The narrator makes the error of mispronouncing Jackie Speier's name in annoying ways but otherwise, great.