Name: Raven
Author: Tim Reiterman with John Jacobs

What’s in it for me? Dive into the dark history of one of America’s most notorious religious cults.

Our story begins with its ending already well-known: On November 18, 1978, some 917 people – mostly Americans – died in what many called a mass suicide, or even murder.

These individuals were members of the Peoples Temple, their bodies strewn across the settlement in Guyana, South America. Their leader was a man named Jim Jones.

The Reverend Jim Jones was a cult leader, a charming personality to his followers who nonetheless hid a dark side. These blinks delve into the character of this cult figure, exploring where he came from and how he rose to such power among not just the counterculture but also mainstream politics in the 1970s.

Importantly, you’ll discover how one man’s fanaticism could drive hundreds of adults and children to a horrific death, the largest mass killing in the US before the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

In these blinks, you’ll learn

how Jones’s early character showed he was no regular personality;
which schemes helped Jones grow his congregation; and
why hundreds of people followed Jones to death.

As a child, Jim Jones was both sympathetic and sadistic; he craved above all power and control.

Jim Jones was born in Indiana and raised by mostly absent parents, who left their eccentric child to his own devices.

Since Jones’s father was unemployed and alcoholic, his mother worked long hours to provide for the family and was absent most days from home.

Despite his mother’s best intentions, the Jones household was a place neither warm nor caring; Jones later remarked that he lamented not having a close-knit family and was long plagued by feelings of being different and alone in the world.

To cope, Jones sought community, visiting neighborhood churches. He carried a Bible with him everywhere he went. He was also sympathetic toward others whom he saw as marginalized.

The family’s house sat near the local railroad tracks, and many homeless people lived rough in the area. Jones would often give food to these needy individuals.

As Jones grew up, however, he also developed an overwhelming need to exert power and control over others.

He read obsessively about historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Josef Stalin, Karl Marx and especially, Adolf Hitler. He pondered their strengths and weaknesses, and examined what led each man toward success or failure.

At one point, Jones converted a nearby barn loft into a church in which he would conduct services.

In a disturbing sign of his controlling nature, he also one evening decided to lock up two of his friends in this space overnight. On another occasion, Jones went hunting with his best friend, Don. While deep in the forest, Jones aimed his gun at Don and threatened to shoot him, unless he stopped walking.

Jones also showed his sadistic streak with animals; one time he removed the leg of a chicken and tried to attach it to a duck.

As we’ll see in the next blink, Jones was also learning how to mask his darker nature with a persuasively charming personality.

Jones’s message of racial and social equality in the late 1960s made him popular and influential.

Jim Jones as a preacher was on a path to make sure he stood out from other faith leaders. He certainly was charismatic, but he also drew people to his congregation with a message of equality.

In 1956, Jones left the Methodist church, claiming church leaders threw him out because of his push for more racial integration. He then started his own church, the Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ.

Jones used deception and sneaky schemes to lure more individuals to join his Peoples Temple.

On its surface, getting younger people to become more politically active and promoting social equality seems admirable. Yet in Jones’s case, his motives were murky at best.

Jones couldn’t just let his message of equality work on its own. To grow his congregation and hold on to those he had already brought in, Jones resorted to manipulation and underhanded tricks.

An official visit inspired Jones to call for “revolutionary suicide,” committing his followers to death.

California Congressman Leo Ryan flew to Jonestown on November 14, 1978, after hearing some concerns from constituents who had friends or family members in Jones’s church.

Ryan and his team were received warmly by church members when they arrived. At first glance, nothing seemed to be amiss in Jonestown.

Key ideas in Raven

What is Raven about?

Raven (1982) reveals the untold story of Jim Jones and his Peoples Temple in Jonestown, the site of a mass murder in which 917 people lost their lives on one fateful day in 1979. These blinks give you a closer look at the Jones, shedding light on how he rose to power and why his followers met such a horrific end.

About the Author

Tim Reiterman is an award-winning journalist who spent over a year at Jonestown as a reporter for the San Francisco Examiner. He was present when a US Congressman, three reporters and a defector from the Peoples Temple were killed before the group’s mass suicide. He also worked as a writer and editor for the Los Angeles Times during its prize-winning coverage of the Los Angeles riots. He is a teacher at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism.

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Raven summary

Raven
summarized in 6 key ideas

What’s in it for me? Dive into the dark history of one of America’s most notorious religious cults.

As a child, Jim Jones was both sympathetic and sadistic; he craved above all power and control.

Jones found his true calling in the church pulpit, where he crafted a charismatic public persona.

Jones’s message of racial and social equality in the late 1960s made him popular and influential.

Jones used deception and sneaky schemes to lure more individuals to join his Peoples Temple.

As Jones’s grip on his followers tightened, he convinced his cult to move the church to Guyana.

An official visit inspired Jones to call for “revolutionary suicide,” committing his followers to death.

Key ideas in Raven

Introduction

As a child, Jim Jones was both sympathetic and sadistic; he craved above all power and control.

Jones found his true calling in the church pulpit, where he crafted a charismatic public persona.

Jones’s message of racial and social equality in the late 1960s made him popular and influential.

Jones used deception and sneaky schemes to lure more individuals to join his Peoples Temple.

As Jones’s grip on his followers tightened, he convinced his cult to move the church to Guyana.

An official visit inspired Jones to call for “revolutionary suicide,” committing his followers to death.

What is Raven about?

Who should read Raven?

About the Author

Categories with Raven

Books like Raven

People also liked

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Raven summary

Raven summarized in 6 key ideas

What’s in it for me? Dive into the dark history of one of America’s most notorious religious cults.

As a child, Jim Jones was both sympathetic and sadistic; he craved above all power and control.

Jones found his true calling in the church pulpit, where he crafted a charismatic public persona.

Jones’s message of racial and social equality in the late 1960s made him popular and influential.

Jones used deception and sneaky schemes to lure more individuals to join his Peoples Temple.

As Jones’s grip on his followers tightened, he convinced his cult to move the church to Guyana.

An official visit inspired Jones to call for “revolutionary suicide,” committing his followers to death.

Key ideas in Raven

Introduction

As a child, Jim Jones was both sympathetic and sadistic; he craved above all power and control.

Jones found his true calling in the church pulpit, where he crafted a charismatic public persona.

Jones’s message of racial and social equality in the late 1960s made him popular and influential.

Jones used deception and sneaky schemes to lure more individuals to join his Peoples Temple.

As Jones’s grip on his followers tightened, he convinced his cult to move the church to Guyana.

An official visit inspired Jones to call for “revolutionary suicide,” committing his followers to death.

What is Raven about?

Who should read Raven?

About the Author

Categories with Raven

Books like Raven

People also liked

Discover the Blinkist catalogue

Popular titles

Popular categories

Popular topics

Trending topics

Raven
summarized in 6 key ideas