The Guyana Massacre The Eyewitness Account

by Charles A. Krause, Laurence M. Stern (Contributor), Richard Harwood (Contributor)

With 16 pages of the on the scene photographs and commentary by Frank Johnston

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, History, Cults

210 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 1978

Reviews

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

A straightforward account of what the press people saw when they landed at Jonestown after the massacre. Lots of photos. Very terrible stuff. Impossible to put down.

[Tara Brock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very straightforward account of what happened in Jonestown on that November day. Instead of reading from the perspective of a Peoples Temple, this was a reporters account through his eyes of what happened. Charles Krause wasn’t even aware of Jim Jones or his followers until he was assigned to report on a congressional inquiry that was headed for Jonestown. Very interesting to read and hard to put down. 4.5 stars

[Fabricio Fernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Testimonio de primera mano a cargo de uno de los testigos y protagonistas del hecho, el periodista Charles Krause. El libro fue publicado inmediatamente después de la tragedia, con lo que gana en detalles pero adolece de la valoración más objetiva que le otorga la distancia en el tiempo. De cualquier manera, el libro (de muy fácil lectura) es ideal para hacerse una primera idea de las causas de este siniestro suceso, y para conocer el trasfondo de todo lo que sucedió.

[Lee Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quickie paperback, yes, but still an interesting boots-on-the-ground take on the cult of cults. Washington Post reporter Chuck Krause was nearby in Venezuela when he got reassigned to tag along with Leo Ryan and company as they investigated just what was happening in the Guyana jungle. He ended up with a (luckily) minor bullet wound as he lay beside the disabled plane at Port Kaituma.

At the beginning of the book, each chapter alternates between a history of Jones and the Peoples' Temple and the events of November 1978, but as things escalate, it moves strictly to the end narrative.

If you can find a copy of this, it's worth the read for people interested in this story.

[Gail Johnson, Ph.D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the fact that this author had first-hand knowledge about the events that took place at Jonestown on November 18, 1978. But I still have some questions: (1) Is James Cobb and Jim Cobb the same person? (2) Is Richard Dwyer and Dick Dwyer the same person? (3) Where did the guns come from? Why wasn't the serial numbers check?

[Andrew F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems comprehensive enough, but maybe too soon after the event? I could use a perspective now, especially one that looked at the religious charge behind the events. There have been several documentaries about Jonestown too, at least three, and none of them felt right.

[albie_of_nonfic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remarkably good coverage of the Jonestown massacre and its lead up, considering it was written in a matter of weeks by a man who had known nothing about the cult a week before going there and had been wounded by gunfire.

[Super Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charles Krause is an amazing journalist. What’s significant about his eyewitness account is that he was the one journalist allowed to go back in literally the day after the massacre. Despite surviving the shooting and being injured, he went back. He has a kind and new wants intelligence in his journalism. His book is essential reading for Jonestown scholars.

[love · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find this book interesting because the massacre occurred in 1978 and yet the first I heard anything about it, is when I came across the book in my own personal library just days ago. Through all of the history lessons I've studied in school, this was never mentioned. You would think that somewhere someone along the way would mention that a mass suicide of 900 American people occurred not so long ago in a not so far away place. The book is (in my opion) well written, fast paced, and easy to follow. I would however avoid chapter 11 as the author (Krause) goes into depth about various cults and how several professionals give their opinions of how certain cults come up with their particular philosophy's. I found that a bit mind numbing. I think people should read the book just to further their knowledge of basic U.S. history (especially if you weren't born when the massacre occurred).

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published a mere two weeks after the events in Jonestown, Guyana it is unclear whether that feat speaks to corporate greed or journalistic energy. Guyana Massacre gives a history of Jim Jones and Peoples Temple along with opinions on mass suicide, and Krause’s first hand account from Jonestown. Charles Krause was part of the media contingent that accompanied Leo Ryan to Jonestown. His first hand account offers a chilling minute by minute account of the events on the Port Kaituma airstrip and the aftermath of the massacre at Jonestown. This book includes many very important primary sources in the appendix. Some of these include telegrams from Leo Ryan to Jim Jones, letters written between Jones’ attorney Mark Lane and Leo Ryan and Temple defector Deborah Layton Blakey’s affidavit given June 15, 1978 that speaks of the prospect of mass suicide.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

an account of the Press that were massacred by the Militarized portion of the People's Temple. I enjoyed reading it with the same fascination and zeal I get about anything related to Jim Jones. This is endless fascination that exists in the subject is incredible. The book covers the press's arrival in guyana, negotiations to be allowed in jonestown and their visit. Than it goes into the Massacre and the aftermath. His takeaway from the experience is my gripe with the book. He has the takeaway that seems almost disingenuous. If it happened to me I would have published a goddamn epic. Instead of a paperthin 157 page w/photos in the middle book you buy before you go on a goddamn airplane

[LaDawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt this book was very informative. It laid out the chronological order of these events in a way that was easy to follow. What a tragic tragic story.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eye witness account of the 'white night' in Jonestown - I remembered the story but had forgotten much plus this book provided a lot of detail.

[Jamieson · Rating 3 out of 5]

First hand account of the Jonestown Massacre. Great insight. Makes you feel as though you are living Krausse's nightmare experience.