A Thousand Lives
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Julia Scheeres (author) |
| Products | Nonfiction book |
A Thousand Lives: The Untold Story of Jonestown (2011) presents a nonfiction narrative centered on the tragic 1978 Jonestown massacre. Authored by journalist Julia Scheeres, this work traces the experiences of five Jonestown inhabitants leading up to the mass murder-suicides that resulted in 918 fatalities.
Background
During research for a separate endeavor, Scheeres encountered a substantial collection of 50,000 pages of FBI documents related to Jonestown, which included shipping records and correspondence addressed to leader Jim Jones. She dedicated a year to sorting through these materials, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, followed by an additional two years devoted to composing the book.
Synopsis
A Thousand Lives examines the lives of five individuals—Edith Roller, Stanley Clayton, Hyacinth Thrash, along with Jim and Tommy Bogue—who collectively embody the varied racial and socioeconomic makeup of Peoples Temple, Jones' congregation. The profiles encompass both African American and white members from different economic strata. Utilizing diaries, firsthand documents, and comprehensive interviews, Scheeres crafts a vivid depiction of faith, endurance, and tragedy within the group.
Reception
Critics widely praised the book. The San Francisco Chronicle described it as "Riveting... unforgettable... heart-breaking... bone-chilling." Meanwhile, The Los Angeles Times Book Review commended Scheeres for her empathetic portrayal of members as victims rather than naïve adherents, rendering the devastating narrative both credible and deeply human.
Awards
- Northern California Independent Booksellers' Association: Best Nonfiction Book of 2012
- Included in San Francisco Chronicle’s 100 best books of 2011
- Featured among The Boston Globe’s top non-fiction books of 2011
References
- Reviews