Author: Sharon Maas
Publisher: Bookouture
ISBN: 1803142383
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 446
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Book Description
The woman looked at me, anguish brimming in her eyes. I picked up the note she’d left and read the scrawl: HELP!!! Then: Mom. Followed by a number. A gripping and heartbreaking read, based on the true story of the Jonestown cult, one of the darkest chapters in American history. When journalist Zoe Quint loses her husband and child in a tragic accident, she returns home to Guyana to heal. But when she hears cries and music floating through the trees, her curiosity compels her to learn more about the Americans who have set up camp in a run-down village nearby. Their leader, Jim Jones, dark eyed and charismatic, claims to be a peaceful man who has promised his followers paradise. But everything changes when Zoe meets one of his followers, a young woman called Lucy, in a ramshackle grocery store. Lucy grabs Zoe’s arm, raw terror in her eyes, and passes her a note with a phone number, begging her to call her mother in America. Zoe is determined to help Lucy, but locals warn her to stay away from the camp, and as sirens and gunshots echo through the jungle at nightfall, she knows they are right. But she can’t shake the frightened woman’s face from her mind, and when she discovers that there are young children kept in the camp, she has to act fast. Zoe’s only route to the lost people is to get close to their leader, Jim Jones. But if she is accepted, will she be able to persuade the frightened followers to risk their lives and embark on a perilous escape under the cover of darkness? And when Jim Jones hears of her plans, could she pay the highest price of all? A powerful and unputdownable novel inspired by the true story of Jonestown, about a woman’s brave attempt to save people who were promised paradise but found only lies. Fans of Where the Crawdads Sing, Before We Were Yours and The Girls will be captivated by The Girl from Jonestown. What everyone is saying about The Girl from Jonestown: ‘Woah! The Girl from Jonestown, is an absolute monster of a story. Very engaging from beginning right up until the ending. With powerful characters who suck you into their world. Phenomenal writing that makes held me captivated. I couldn't put it down. Sharon is a fabulous writer and this book hooked me.’ Rubie Reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A powerful and unputdownable novel inspired by the true story of Jonestown. Brilliant… gripping and addictive, it will pull you in from the first page… A must-read. Kept me up well past my bedtime, I could not put it down.’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This was such a gripping read… This book was so well written with a compelling storyline and well-developed characters. I couldn't put it down, I loved it.’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What an eye opening, truly chilling book… I simply could not put this one down. ‘ Netgalley reviewer ‘What an amazing and engrossing story!... Based on the infamous Jonestown massacre, this novel is riveting! Twists, turns, and true and complex characters will keep you engrossed as you root for both women to make it out of Jonestown alive. If you love books about cults, want to know more about Jonestown, or just enjoy a true thriller, The Girl from Jonestown is for you!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'It will keep you on the edge of your seat in anxiety. I have loved all of this author’s books.’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Author: Julia Scheeres
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 145162896X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 322
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Book Description
In 1954, a pastor named Jim Jones opened a church in Indianapolis called Peoples Temple Full Gospel Church. He was a charismatic preacher with idealistic beliefs, and he quickly filled his pews with an audience eager to hear his sermons on social justice. As Jones’s behavior became erratic and his message more ominous, his followers leaned on each other to recapture the sense of equality that had drawn them to his church. But even as the congregation thrived, Jones made it increasingly difficult for members to leave. By the time Jones moved his congregation to a remote jungle in Guyana and the US government began to investigate allegations of abuse and false imprisonment in Jonestown, it was too late. A Thousand Lives is the story of Jonestown as it has never been told. New York Times bestselling author Julia Scheeres drew from tens of thousands of recently declassified FBI documents and audiotapes, as well as rare videos and interviews, to piece together an unprecedented and compelling history of the doomed camp, focusing on the people who lived there. The people who built Jonestown wanted to forge a better life for themselves and their children. In South America, however, they found themselves trapped in Jonestown and cut off from the outside world as their leader goaded them toward committing “revolutionary suicide” and deprived them of food, sleep, and hope. Vividly written and impossible to forget, A Thousand Lives is a story of blind loyalty and daring escapes, of corrupted ideals and senseless, haunting loss.
Author: Sharon Maas
Publisher: Bookouture
ISBN: 1800192371
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 484
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Book Description
She dreamed of finding a new life… Georgetown, Guyana 1970. Seven-year-old Rita has always known she was responsible for the death of her beautiful mother Cassie. Her absent-minded father allows her to run wild in her ramshackle white wooden house by the sea, and surrounded by her army of stray pets, most of the time she can banish her mother’s death to the back of her mind. But then her new stepmother Chandra arrives and the house empties of love and laughter. Rita’s pets are removed, her freedom curtailed, and before long, there’s a new baby sister on the way. There’s no room for Rita anymore. Desperate to fill up the emptiness inside her, Rita begins to talk to the only photo she has of her dead mother, a poor farmer’s daughter from the remote Guyanese rainforest. Determined to find the truth about her mother, Rita travels to find her mother’s family in an unfamiliar land of shimmering creeks and towering vines. She finds comfort in the loving arms of her grandmother among the flowering shrubs and trees groaning with fruit. But when she discovers the terrible bruising secret that her father kept hidden from her, will she ever be able to feel happiness again? A beautiful and inspiring story that will steal your heart and open your eyes. Fans of The Secret Life of Bees, The Vanishing Half and The Other Half of Augusta Hope will be captivated by The Far Away Girl. A beautiful and inspiring story that will steal your heart and open your eyes. Fans of The Secret Life of Bees, The Vanishing Half and The Other Half of Augusta Hope will be captivated by The Far Away Girl. What everyone is saying about The Far Away Girl: ‘Astoundingly beautiful, incredibly powerful, a powerhouse of a book. This author never ceases to amaze – book after book she stuns and beguiles with her beautiful prose and her wonderful stories… one of the most versatile writers I've read… This book is sheer perfection. Please read it. If you don't you're missing out.’ Renita D’Silva, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘An emotional, heart-warming, inspiring and absorbing story… totally unputdownable.’ My Reading Narnia, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I devoured this book in just a couple of days… brilliant storytelling, this book is sure to be a hit and has certainly become a firm favourite of mine.’ Jenny W Reads ‘I have really enjoyed reading this book by Sharon Maas it is a lovely story and draws you in and I can highly recommend it. 5 stars!’ Netgalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Maas’s books are always a delight, a chance to travel to some of the most beautiful parts of the world without ever leaving your home.’ Cayo Costa 72
Author: Sharon Maas
Publisher: Bookouture
ISBN: 183790510X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 416
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Book Description
‘I will never forgive you! You had a choice. You could have listened to your mother, your brother, your father, but you chose to listen to those monsters. And that choice remains with you. Forever.’ Leah and Magda are like sisters. In their block of flats in Berlin, they have only ever had each other to rely on. Each other, and Magda’s brother Markus. Nothing could have torn them apart. Until Hitler gains power… Leah could never imagine either of her best friends supporting the Nazis. Because Leah is Jewish. And she has heard the whispers of what’s been happening to her people. The threats. The disappearances. Rumours of deportation to dark places no one returns from… But then Magda does the unthinkable. She joins the Hitler Youth. Leah’s blood runs cold – how could someone she loves so much do this to her? Leah tries desperately to make her best friend see sense, but Magda is blinded by the promises of a great and powerful Germany. Leah realises that her once sister, is now her deadliest enemy. With people vanishing around her, Leah is terrified she’s next. How far will Magda go to prove her loyalty to her Führer? But Magda always underestimated her brother, and Markus has sworn he’ll do anything to save Leah and her family. Even risk his own life. And he knows infiltrating the party is the only way… But will Magda see through his lie? Is he already far too late to stop her? A powerful and heartbreaking novel about love, family, betrayal and sacrifice perfect for fans of The Alice Network, The White Rose Network, The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Nightingale. Readers love The Children of Berlin: ‘Phenomenal… I almost don’t know where to begin… left me speechless. I loved everything about this heartbreaking and powerfully intense book… unputdownable… had me reaching for the tissue box over and over… heart wrenching… needs to be at the very top of your 'to be read pile’. I highly recommend this ten star read.’ Page Turners, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day… What an absolute cracker of a book!!!… Sucked me straight in… absolutely addictive page turner… absolutely absorbed me… compelling, page-turning… will keep you up late at night.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A masterpiece told so beautifully it had me enthralled reading late into the night… The story was gripping and terrifying… I went on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and I feel that the ending though heartbreaking was the perfect conclusion.’ @leannebookstagram, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Had me glued to my kindle from the moment I started it and I devoured every chapter… this book had everything I love about this genre… brought tears to my eyes… A heartbreaking read… I 100% recommend this book for fans of historical fiction.’ @leonaomahony, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Powerful and heartbreaking… sure to leave readers with a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit… a must-read for anyone who loves WWII historical fiction… I’ve read many novels in this genre, and this one is right at the top!’ Rachel Bustin, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I couldn't put this book aside. I read it holding my breath, I cried, I hated, I loved, I understood… I think I have gone through every emotion there is… swept me away and even writing this review I'm overwhelmed with emotions. If I could I would give it 10 stars.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Completely gripped by this remarkable and addictive page-turner… so beautiful and wonderful. I was totally immersed… masterfully done. Crafting of the characters was so deftly done that I will always carry them with me… powerful and heartbreaking.’ @rubie_reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Oh, my, where to begin?… I have never read a book quite like this one… a very powerful, tense, and heart-rending novel. A must for readers of historical fiction.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Touched my heart… wonderful… one that will stay with me!... Held my attention right to the end. The book took me through quite few emotions… heart-wrenching at times but so well done.’ Donna’s Book Blog, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Powerful and gut-wrenching.’ @stamperlady50, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Author: Sharon Maas
Publisher: Thread
ISBN: 1800197233
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 304
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Book Description
‘I was utterly mesmerized… powerful, moving, and heartwarming… I devoured this book, and it is no doubt a five-star read.’ Goodreads reviewer Perhaps it’s true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Perhaps it’s true that you only know what you truly love when you no longer have it. But I wouldn’t have known any of this if I hadn’t left it all behind to discover where my home truly was… Growing up in British Guiana in the 1950s, Sharon Maas has everything a shy child with a vivid imagination could wish for. She spends her days studying bugs in the backyard, eating fresh mangos straight from the tree and tucked up on her granny’s lap losing herself in books. But with her father campaigning for the country’s independence and her mother away for work, there’s a void in Sharon’s heart, and she craves rules and structure. The books she devours give her a glimpse of life in a faraway country: England. And although none of the characters in these books look like her, her insatiable curiosity leads Sharon to beg to be sent to boarding school. Life at a conservative, Christian school is quite different from Sharon’s liberal, atheist upbringing. Girls march silently and single file along corridors and earn badges for deportment. There are twice-daily hymns, grace before and after meals and mandatory bedside prayers. And, all the girls are posh and white, while Sharon is the only one with dark skin. Will she ever fulfil her dream of horseback riding over green hills and going on adventures like her literary heroes? And has she truly found what she was looking for in this chilly corner of the world, thousands of miles away from home? You will be swept off your feet by the unputdownable story of Sharon Maas’s extraordinary childhood in British Guiana and England, a beautiful and inspiring coming-of-age tale of self-discovery, determination and chasing your dreams. Praise for The Girl from Lamaha Street: ‘To say this story was inspirational would be an understatement. I was utterly mesmerized… As a woman of color, I recognized myself and my experiences in the pages of this memoir… powerful, moving, and heartwarming… I devoured this book, and it is no doubt a five-star read.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘Beautiful. Poignant. Phenomenal. This was a beautiful read and I learnt so much. I cried and I smiled and there was nothing more that I wanted from this book. Truly a gem.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘Enlightening… powerful… Beautifully written… I found myself turning and turning, immersed in the story. A wonderful, evocative read.’ Nicki’s Book Blog ‘Engaging and intriguing… so good that I was completely enthralled from beginning to end.’ NetGalley reviewer ‘An incredibly moving, truly inspiring story of the power of determination. An absolutely stunning read.’ Katharine Birbalsingh ‘Fascinating and poignant… an astoundingly honest and intimate memoir.’ Angela Petch
Author: Jeff Guinn
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1476763828
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 544
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Book Description
A portrait of the cult leader behind the Jonestown Massacre examines his personal life, from his extramarital affairs and drug use to his fraudulent faith healing practices and his decision to move his followers to Guyana, sharing new details about the events leading to the 1978 tragedy.
Author: Deborah Layton
Publisher: Anchor
ISBN: 0307575136
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 385
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Book Description
In this haunting and riveting firsthand account, a survivor of Jim Jones's Peoples Temple opens up the shadowy world of cults and shows how anyone can fall under their spell. "A suspenseful tale of escape that reads like a satisfying thriller.... The most important personal testimony to emerge from the Jonestown tragedy." —Chicago Tribune A high-level member of Jim Jones's Peoples Temple for seven years, Deborah Layton escaped his infamous commune in the Guyanese jungle, leaving behind her mother, her older brother, and many friends. She returned to the United States with warnings of impending disaster, but her pleas for help fell on skeptical ears, and shortly thereafter, in November 1978, the Jonestown massacre shocked the world. Seductive Poison is both an unflinching historical document and a suspenseful story of intrigue, power, and murder.
Author: Leigh Fondakowski
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780816681730
Category : HISTORY
Languages : en
Pages : 377
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Book Description
The saga of Jonestown didnOCOt end on the day in November 1978 when more than nine hundred Americans died in a mass murder-suicide in the Guyanese jungle. While only a handful of people present at the agricultural project survived that day in Jonestown, more than eighty members of Peoples Temple, led by Jim Jones, were elsewhere in Guyana on that day, and thousands more members of the movement still lived in California. Emmy-nominated writer Leigh Fondakowski, who is best known for her work on the play and HBO film "The Laramie Project," spent three years traveling the United States to interview these survivors, many of whom have never talked publicly about the tragedy. Using more than two hundred hours of interview material, Fondakowski creates intimate portraits of these survivors as they tell their unforgettable stories. Collectively this is a record of ordinary people, stigmatized as cultists, who after the Jonestown massacre were left to deal with their grief, reassemble their lives, and try to make sense of how a movement born in a gospel of racial and social justice could have gone so horrifically wrongOCotaking with it the lives of their sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, and brothers and sisters. As these survivors look back, we learn what led them to join the Peoples Temple movement, what life in the church was like, and how the trauma of JonestownOCOs end still affects their lives decades later. What emerges are portrayals both haunting and hopefulOCoof unimaginable sadness, guilt, and shame but also resilience and redemption. Weaving her own artistic journey of discovery throughout the book in a compelling historical context, Fondakowski delivers, with both empathy and clarity, one of the most gripping, moving, and humanizing accounts of Jonestown ever written.
Author: Jackie Speier
Publisher: Little a
ISBN: 9781503903609
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 0
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Book Description
November, 1978. Speier joined Congressman Leo Ryan's delegation to rescue defectors from cult leader Jim Jones's Peoples Temple in Jonestown, Guyana. Ryan was killed on the airstrip tarmac. Jackie was shot five times at point-blank range. While recovering, Jackie had to choose: Would she become a victim or a fighter? She chose to become a vocal proponent for human rights. Here she reveals her story of resilience as a widow, a mother, a congresswoman, and a fighter, to inspire other women to draw strength from adversity in order to do what is right. -- adapted from jacket
Author: Judy Bebelaar
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780998709680
Category : Jonestown Mass Suicide, Jonestown, Guyana, 1978
Languages : en
Pages : 300
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Book Description
"Of the 918 Americans who died in the shocking murder-suicides of November 18, 1978, in the tiny South American country of Guyana, a third were under eighteen. More than half were in their twenties or younger. And Then They Were Gone: Teenagers of Peoples Temple from High School to Jonestown begins in San Francisco at the small school where Reverend Jim Jones enrolled the teens of his Peoples Temple church in 1976. Within a year, most had been sent to join Jones and his other congregants in what Jones promised was a tropical paradise based on egalitarian values, but which turned out to be a deadly prison camp. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the late 1970s, And Then They Were Gone draws from interviews, books, and articles. Many of these powerful stories are told here for the first time."--Back cover
