Customer Reviews

People's Temple, People's Tomb

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
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Kerns' book gives the reader insight into what it was like to be a part of the Jim Jones cult. His personal experience is moving, and the documents contained in the book make it even more interesting. What a tragedy these deaths were, but by reading this book, one gets a profile of the type of person who is susceptible to this kind of sick cult.

Phil Kerns was a former member of the People's Temple. He was brought in by his mother who would later die in Jonestown along with his sister, Carol. His two sisters, Ruth and Jeanette, were fortunate to escape the same fate. Phil's opening chapters reveal his desperation and need for somebody important to listen to him. You can tell he was anxious to stop the massacre but it was too late. He made the calls but nobody was listening to pleas along with other concerned relatives. Phil had pretty much lost his mother and sister a long time ago to Jim Jones and the People's Temple. Phil may not have saved his mother and sister but his concern was at least taken seriously to keep an obervant eye on the San Francisco headquarters of the People's Temple. Maybe he didn't save his sister or mother but he probably did help those at San Francisco headquarters. When Phil left the People's Temple, he couldn't go back but he never stopped trying to get his mother and sister out of the cult. As soon as he realized what Jones was all about, he left as fast as he could with little money and nowhere to run too really. He tried to get people particularly the media and politicians to understand Jones and the People's Temple but nobody wanted to listen to him. To them, he was a crazed, delusional man rather than a concerned human being. I feel for Phil and his family like all the other families. Kerns has done his homework as an author and researcher and private investigator without taking any classes. He uncovers 8 mysterious deaths maybe 9 if you include Christopher Lewis. Kerns knew long before anybody else did about the dangers of Jones but who took him seriously then. There were only a handful of supporters particularly concerned relatives. Kerns knew the outcome on November 18, 1978 along with some. If only they had listened to Phil earlier, but nobody did and that's the tragedy of it all. They didn't have to die in vain, lying on top of each other, and rapidly decomposing in the South American sun. Kerns also provides an extended appendix of useful information.

Author's mother was in the Temple. I don't think the author spent much time in the movement. If I'm not mistaken his mother's name was Penny Dupont and she was considered an annoyance in the Temple by Jones and other members. It is an ok read, but again the author's memory is sketchy at best.

The author's mother perished in Jonestown. He talks of his brief time in People's Temple where he joined with his mother and siblings. In the beginning it gets a little weary as you read countlessly how the author whines his way into governmental officials offices, hounding them about getting his relatives out who made the choice to actually be there and had no desire of leaving Jonestown. There is the traditional talk of Jones abberations, sadism and downright corruption. Remember this book was written shortly after the massacre and many details have since come forth.

I really enjoyed this book.I like the way the book brings you into focus about what was going on and holds you there till the end.There are some good photos in this book and copies of letters that are interesting to read in the back of the book.