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Undaunted: Surviving Jonestown, Summoning Courage, and Fighting Back
An inspiring and powerful memoir of surviving the Jonestown massacre and becoming a fearless voice against injustice and inequality by California congresswoman Jackie Speier.
Jackie Speier was twenty-eight when she 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 from what would become one of the most harrowing tragedies in recent history, Jackie had to Would she become a victim or a fighter? The choice to survive against unfathomable odds empowered her with a resolve to become a vocal proponent for human rights.
From the formative nightmare that radically molded her perspective and instincts to the devastating personal and professional challenges that would follow, Undaunted reveals the perseverance of a determined force in American politics. Deeply rooted in Jackie’s experiences as a widow, a mother, a congresswoman, and a fighter, hers is a story of true resilience, one that will inspire other women to draw strength from adversity in order to do what is right—no matter the challenges ahead.
Jackie Speier was twenty-eight when she 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 from what would become one of the most harrowing tragedies in recent history, Jackie had to Would she become a victim or a fighter? The choice to survive against unfathomable odds empowered her with a resolve to become a vocal proponent for human rights.
From the formative nightmare that radically molded her perspective and instincts to the devastating personal and professional challenges that would follow, Undaunted reveals the perseverance of a determined force in American politics. Deeply rooted in Jackie’s experiences as a widow, a mother, a congresswoman, and a fighter, hers is a story of true resilience, one that will inspire other women to draw strength from adversity in order to do what is right—no matter the challenges ahead.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2018
1073 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 227 reviews
March 3, 2020
This book really drew me in. Some parts are rather slow compared to other more exciting parts, but that’s how her life went. She became a lawyer and went to work for Leo Ryan as his legal counsel. She made up her mind on something and then she followed through. A very determined lady, which likely is what saved her life at Jonestown. There is much about her early life and her life post-Jonestown, it’s the majority of the book really. There is quite a bit about her long career in public service, she's really quite inspiring. I give it a good 4 of 5 stars.
February 19, 2019
I'm so glad Jackie Speier is in Congress. She's an incredible woman with a passion for improving the lives of others, spurred in part by a strong sense of morality and also by her own difficult experiences, which she's channeled into positive change.
This was an interesting look into politics as well as into Jackie's own turbulent history. I sobbed through some chapters and cheered during others. However, the writing wasn't as engaging as it could have been. Despite the emotional experiences she chose to highlight, there were a few sections that I had to motivate myself to push through — especially in the beginning.
Would recommend to those looking for a political read, and to those interested in learning more about the Jonestown Massacre, which she survived and recounts in chilling detail.
This was an interesting look into politics as well as into Jackie's own turbulent history. I sobbed through some chapters and cheered during others. However, the writing wasn't as engaging as it could have been. Despite the emotional experiences she chose to highlight, there were a few sections that I had to motivate myself to push through — especially in the beginning.
Would recommend to those looking for a political read, and to those interested in learning more about the Jonestown Massacre, which she survived and recounts in chilling detail.
August 21, 2019
Interesting autobiography of Jackie Speier who as a staffer/counsel for Rep Leo Ryan went with him to investigate Jim Jones and his cult in Jonestown, Guyana.
Jackie Speir grew up in the San Francisco area. She always had the calling to serve and help others. While in college, she met her congressman, Leo Ryan, and worked as a volunteer for him. He became her mentor. After college and law school, she worked for him again as his counsel. His office had been receiving questions and complaints from family members who joined Jim Jones in Guyana. She had a bad premonition but she traveled with him to investigate. Although the State Dept and the local embassy staff said all is well at the compound, they made their visit anyway. The first day was a dog and pony show and everything looked fine but slowly they were receiving secret notes from members that they wanted to leave the compound but were afraid. On the second day, she was escorting some of those who wanted to leave to the airfield. Then chaos broke out and there was gunfire. The massacre had begun. She was shot but survived. There were many reports that there was a mass suicide at the compound but in reality it was a massacre. Yes, members of the cult drank poisonous koolaid but if they refused, they were shot.
How did this affect her? I must have missed her answer to this. She still remained an activist for women rights, abortion rights, gun control,among other causes. She served as a County Supervisor, state legislator, and state senator before deciding to run for US Congress in Leo Ryan's former seat which she won and currently holds. I suppose Jonestown taught her to live in the present and run for offices even though there is a chance of losing which she has had her share of losses.
Interesting story but I wanted to read more of the Jonestown episode.
Jackie Speir grew up in the San Francisco area. She always had the calling to serve and help others. While in college, she met her congressman, Leo Ryan, and worked as a volunteer for him. He became her mentor. After college and law school, she worked for him again as his counsel. His office had been receiving questions and complaints from family members who joined Jim Jones in Guyana. She had a bad premonition but she traveled with him to investigate. Although the State Dept and the local embassy staff said all is well at the compound, they made their visit anyway. The first day was a dog and pony show and everything looked fine but slowly they were receiving secret notes from members that they wanted to leave the compound but were afraid. On the second day, she was escorting some of those who wanted to leave to the airfield. Then chaos broke out and there was gunfire. The massacre had begun. She was shot but survived. There were many reports that there was a mass suicide at the compound but in reality it was a massacre. Yes, members of the cult drank poisonous koolaid but if they refused, they were shot.
How did this affect her? I must have missed her answer to this. She still remained an activist for women rights, abortion rights, gun control,among other causes. She served as a County Supervisor, state legislator, and state senator before deciding to run for US Congress in Leo Ryan's former seat which she won and currently holds. I suppose Jonestown taught her to live in the present and run for offices even though there is a chance of losing which she has had her share of losses.
Interesting story but I wanted to read more of the Jonestown episode.
November 1, 2018
Jackie Speier is a remarkable woman, and had an impressive life story. She overcame many challenges, and the biggest one was the fight for her life after being shot multiple times when visiting Jim Jone's cult temple.
However, and after reading 56% I just could not go any longer. If you are keen to know about the ins and outs of campaigning and american elections, then you might enjoy this book. But after some time it just got boring and descriptive. Even though the life is inspiring, and the events were interesting, there was no spark in the writing, nothing to keep me going on.
But don't let my review deter you from reading, as she is indeed an amazing woman.
However, and after reading 56% I just could not go any longer. If you are keen to know about the ins and outs of campaigning and american elections, then you might enjoy this book. But after some time it just got boring and descriptive. Even though the life is inspiring, and the events were interesting, there was no spark in the writing, nothing to keep me going on.
But don't let my review deter you from reading, as she is indeed an amazing woman.
February 16, 2019
GNab Jackie Speier (pronounced SPEAR) began working as a volunteer in the re-election campaign of California politician Leo Ryan, as well as volunteering with the Red Cross, while she was still in high school. She continued working as an aide for and with Ryan through college and law school taking on a paycheck and more and more complex projects. After law school, she took a position as Ryan's legislative council and moved to DC.
On November 14th, 1978 Jackie accompanied Ryan along with several of his aides, newsmedia and concerned family members of Jones' followers, as they flew to Guyana to assess the situation in Jonestown and if needed to rescue those trying to escape the influence of cult leader Jim Jones and his People's Temple in Jonestown, Guyana. Things did not go as planned. On November 18th as they began gearing up to leave Guyana with a growing crowd of cultists wanting to return to the US, Ryan was shot and killed on the airport runway with over forty bullets in his body. Jackie took five. Jonestown became one of the most tragic genocides in modern times, with over 900 dead. And Jackie, who lay on the tarmac at the airport for over 20 hours before rescue, had an unthinkable battle to face, with nerve damage to her right arm and hand, a chunk missing from her right leg, and gangrene in all five of her wounds. After skin grafts and several surgeries, she spent weeks in the hospital and had lots of time to decide where her future lay. And it lay in serving the public, and never again becoming a victim.
She first served in the California State Assembly before following in the footsteps of Congressman Ryan. She is still working in Congress, representing California Congressional District 14 and women everywhere.
Jackie Speier has a loud voice in Washington DC. She fights, undaunted, for women's rights, consumer safety, and personal privacy. She brings to DC her varied life experiences. Jackie is a wife, a mother, a widow, a woman who has had to face personal adversity. She comes from a long line of strong women. On her mother's side she is the great granddaughter of victim's of the Armenian genocide, her mother was born in California the third of six children of immigrant Armenians. Her father flew in World War II for Germany, trekked across Russia and worked as a medic in China before landing in San Francisco and then bringing his mother over from Shanghai, where his parents - Catholic mother, Jewish father - had fled at the outbreak of WWII, to California. Grandmother Speier was Jackie's lodestone. As the daughter of California residents who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps into the middle class, she is an American. And she speaks forcefully and with great heart for all women in America.
I received a free electronic copy of this memoir from Netgalley, Jackie Speier, and Little A Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
Pub date Nov 6, 2018
published 12/1/18
On November 14th, 1978 Jackie accompanied Ryan along with several of his aides, newsmedia and concerned family members of Jones' followers, as they flew to Guyana to assess the situation in Jonestown and if needed to rescue those trying to escape the influence of cult leader Jim Jones and his People's Temple in Jonestown, Guyana. Things did not go as planned. On November 18th as they began gearing up to leave Guyana with a growing crowd of cultists wanting to return to the US, Ryan was shot and killed on the airport runway with over forty bullets in his body. Jackie took five. Jonestown became one of the most tragic genocides in modern times, with over 900 dead. And Jackie, who lay on the tarmac at the airport for over 20 hours before rescue, had an unthinkable battle to face, with nerve damage to her right arm and hand, a chunk missing from her right leg, and gangrene in all five of her wounds. After skin grafts and several surgeries, she spent weeks in the hospital and had lots of time to decide where her future lay. And it lay in serving the public, and never again becoming a victim.
She first served in the California State Assembly before following in the footsteps of Congressman Ryan. She is still working in Congress, representing California Congressional District 14 and women everywhere.
Jackie Speier has a loud voice in Washington DC. She fights, undaunted, for women's rights, consumer safety, and personal privacy. She brings to DC her varied life experiences. Jackie is a wife, a mother, a widow, a woman who has had to face personal adversity. She comes from a long line of strong women. On her mother's side she is the great granddaughter of victim's of the Armenian genocide, her mother was born in California the third of six children of immigrant Armenians. Her father flew in World War II for Germany, trekked across Russia and worked as a medic in China before landing in San Francisco and then bringing his mother over from Shanghai, where his parents - Catholic mother, Jewish father - had fled at the outbreak of WWII, to California. Grandmother Speier was Jackie's lodestone. As the daughter of California residents who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps into the middle class, she is an American. And she speaks forcefully and with great heart for all women in America.
I received a free electronic copy of this memoir from Netgalley, Jackie Speier, and Little A Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
Pub date Nov 6, 2018
published 12/1/18
August 6, 2021
Undaunted self righteousness
I was hoping for more focus on Guyana, but was disappointed to find that this is just an autobiography using Jonestown as a teaser. While that experience was life changing for the author and the power of the trauma undeniable, Jonestown plays a disappointingly small part in the book. For all her talk of public service and compassion one can't help but wonder how Speier just moves on with no more thought or action towards the survivors or victims of Jonestown and their families. At least none disclosed herein.
Faith plays a part in Jackie Speier's life, at least by her account, but alas it is the wrong kind. While paying lip service to God, she proceeds apace with Marxist-humanist solutions for all mankind, completely missing the irony that Jones was a Communist himself. For one presumably disavowing Jones, she does a poor job of it.
Not two days ago, as of this writing, Speier compares Trump to Jim Jones, saying that the only difference between the two is Trump has social media. Only he's been banned from mainstream platforms since leftists can't bear dissonance. Sound familiar? Trump is "just like" the gaslighting Communist Jones, though. Honest.
Likewise, Speier writes the following: "Listening to one after the other after the other say the same thing, however, made me feel like I was in a surreal echo chamber. They were unnervingly similar, almost scripted. It was all too choreographed. I was particularly distracted by the robotic succession of college-age girls using precisely the same phrases..."
Again, irony lost. "I follow the science. Take the shot. America is racist. White privilege. Down with the patriarchy. Wear your mask. Stay home, stay safe." You get the picture. Pitiful Pod People claiming to be human.
I was hoping for more focus on Guyana, but was disappointed to find that this is just an autobiography using Jonestown as a teaser. While that experience was life changing for the author and the power of the trauma undeniable, Jonestown plays a disappointingly small part in the book. For all her talk of public service and compassion one can't help but wonder how Speier just moves on with no more thought or action towards the survivors or victims of Jonestown and their families. At least none disclosed herein.
Faith plays a part in Jackie Speier's life, at least by her account, but alas it is the wrong kind. While paying lip service to God, she proceeds apace with Marxist-humanist solutions for all mankind, completely missing the irony that Jones was a Communist himself. For one presumably disavowing Jones, she does a poor job of it.
Not two days ago, as of this writing, Speier compares Trump to Jim Jones, saying that the only difference between the two is Trump has social media. Only he's been banned from mainstream platforms since leftists can't bear dissonance. Sound familiar? Trump is "just like" the gaslighting Communist Jones, though. Honest.
Likewise, Speier writes the following: "Listening to one after the other after the other say the same thing, however, made me feel like I was in a surreal echo chamber. They were unnervingly similar, almost scripted. It was all too choreographed. I was particularly distracted by the robotic succession of college-age girls using precisely the same phrases..."
Again, irony lost. "I follow the science. Take the shot. America is racist. White privilege. Down with the patriarchy. Wear your mask. Stay home, stay safe." You get the picture. Pitiful Pod People claiming to be human.
January 24, 2019
In 1978 Jackie Speir, a 28 year old congressional staff member was shot 5 times pointblank while in Jonestown, Guyana with her boss Congressman Leo Ryan, who along with 900 plus others, perished in the "koolaid" poisoning/slaughter of followers and investigators of the People's Temple cult. Jackie barely survived and went on to eventually become a congresswoman in her own right, a fearless champion of the people. She faced many other challenges in her life, at least one of which she considered more daunting than Guyana. I heard her on TV this morning, calling out the president and his lawyer for intimidating a witness; she and Rep. Elijah Cummings were the only ones with the guts to speak this truth to power. Her story was and is extraordinary!
June 22, 2023
This is an great book! I actually didn’t choose to read it, it was given to me, so I read it. I got hooked right away. It is very well written, and so interesting. This woman is amazing! so amazing. In fact that I’m thinking of writing her a letter.
I wish her publishing company had chosen a more intriguing and colorful cover for her book, I think more people would choose to read it. And yes, I do judge books by the cover.
I wish her publishing company had chosen a more intriguing and colorful cover for her book, I think more people would choose to read it. And yes, I do judge books by the cover.
May 15, 2019
Jackie Speier is a Congresswoman from the Bay Area in California who I have seen interviewed on TV multiple times and she struck me as a thoughtful and dedicated public servant. I had no idea that her background included barely surviving the Jonestown massacre ( where her boss at the time, Congressman Leo Ryan, was assassinated) followed by multiple other issues I won’t detail here so you can learn for yourselves if you choose to read her memoir. She is truly a woman of great courage despite adversity and I came to admire her all the more. You do need to be a bit of a political junkie to enjoy the chapters about her campaigns for office. And to be honest, she’s not an author by trade so don’t look for fabulously crafted prose. The story is what is so compelling and is why I enjoyed this autobiography.
December 13, 2018
You may ask how a memoir by Jackie Speier can be uninspiring when she was an active female participant in the 1960s male-dominated political scene, survived Jonestown, helped enact other significant legislature over the last half century, and experienced several episodes of daunting personal tragedy. Well, first of all, this is a tediously detailed autobiography tracing back to her grandparents, her early BFFs, and her Catholic school experience, always carefully scripted to include her rah-rah totally committed patriotic rhetoric.
Always politically correct, her voice remains objectively stiff even when describing the horrors perpetuated by Jim Jones and his guards in a brief chapter, which is supposed to be a major publicized draw of this book. It's a shame that an individual who has led such a fascinating life managed to make it sound so emotionally flat, and instead concentrated on crafting a treatise clearly intended to push her political manifesto.
Always politically correct, her voice remains objectively stiff even when describing the horrors perpetuated by Jim Jones and his guards in a brief chapter, which is supposed to be a major publicized draw of this book. It's a shame that an individual who has led such a fascinating life managed to make it sound so emotionally flat, and instead concentrated on crafting a treatise clearly intended to push her political manifesto.
November 12, 2018
The author wrote of struggles that I cannot imagine surviving, let alone thriving after. I was inspired reading about how she was able to pick up the pieces of her life after such a tragedy. This was an emotional and interesting read.
June 9, 2019
This review is going to be a bit tough. Even though I enjoyed, if enjoyed is the proper word, how she survived Jonestown, this book is way more than that. Yes, she did survive Jonestown and Jim Jones. What happened to her was awful. However, I feel that the title leads you to believe she was part of the cult. She wasn’t. In the beginning she talks about what led her to be there with Jim Jones. It pretty much starts when she is in high school. After the intense story telling of Jonestown. Hearing the story that we never hear about was very interesting. After it is all said and done and she has fully recuperated she goes into her political agenda. I feel like half the book was her trying to promote herself. She has endured a lot in her life and experienced a lot of awful things. But, she could have saved a lot of things for a second book. I’m torn on how I feel so I will give this 3 stars.
November 11, 2018
Wow! A remarkable woman’s story of resilience and courage against long odds
Take the time to read about this extraordinary woman and her career, her setbacks and obstacles she has had to overcome in her life.
The story begins with her state of near death after she was shot 5 times when her boss, Congressman Leo Ryan was assassinated while investigating a doomsday cult in Guyana. She quickly gets back to her beginnings and starts off a with a typical happy childhood as she describes her parents, and grandparents and their backgrounds. The story gets more interesting in high school with nuns who encourage her to make a difference in the world. This leads to meeting future congressman Ryan when he is a member of the California State Assembly. She volunteered for his campaign and this began a 12 year association culminating in her position as an attorney in his congressional office when she went along on his fateful investigation of Jim Jones’ cult in Guyana.
After she survived horrific wounds and nearly died, she started her own political career and a family. She had some significant setbacks losing some political races, and her first husband to tragedy. Without giving away details, the reader learns of her experiences which have led her to support women and their place in our society, reduce gun violence, support reform of sexual harassment in the Congress and in the military and other issues significant to women in our age. Our country is lucky to have her in Congress and if you want to learn about what makes a powerful woman tick, read this book. This book is straightforward, easy to read and well organized.
Take the time to read about this extraordinary woman and her career, her setbacks and obstacles she has had to overcome in her life.
The story begins with her state of near death after she was shot 5 times when her boss, Congressman Leo Ryan was assassinated while investigating a doomsday cult in Guyana. She quickly gets back to her beginnings and starts off a with a typical happy childhood as she describes her parents, and grandparents and their backgrounds. The story gets more interesting in high school with nuns who encourage her to make a difference in the world. This leads to meeting future congressman Ryan when he is a member of the California State Assembly. She volunteered for his campaign and this began a 12 year association culminating in her position as an attorney in his congressional office when she went along on his fateful investigation of Jim Jones’ cult in Guyana.
After she survived horrific wounds and nearly died, she started her own political career and a family. She had some significant setbacks losing some political races, and her first husband to tragedy. Without giving away details, the reader learns of her experiences which have led her to support women and their place in our society, reduce gun violence, support reform of sexual harassment in the Congress and in the military and other issues significant to women in our age. Our country is lucky to have her in Congress and if you want to learn about what makes a powerful woman tick, read this book. This book is straightforward, easy to read and well organized.
November 21, 2018
This is a GOODREADS win!
This was a slow read due to the fact that we were in the middle of a big move but it should not reflect on the book or author.
An interesting account of the Jonestown massacre from someone who suffered the horrors and the aftermath first hand and the resilience and commitment of the human spirit. I'm not sure how many would be able to endure the physical and emotional pain of being shot and losing those close to her and come out the other side "intact". She not only did that but became a Congresswoman and fighter of human and women's rights.
This was a slow read due to the fact that we were in the middle of a big move but it should not reflect on the book or author.
An interesting account of the Jonestown massacre from someone who suffered the horrors and the aftermath first hand and the resilience and commitment of the human spirit. I'm not sure how many would be able to endure the physical and emotional pain of being shot and losing those close to her and come out the other side "intact". She not only did that but became a Congresswoman and fighter of human and women's rights.
February 25, 2020
Really interesting book, had no idea about this story of survival and wow, its a very powerful story, not what I expected when I started it but ended up being so much better than expected!
November 19, 2018
What a tough lady!
November 22, 2018
Inspiring
I read this book within eight hours, it was difficult to put down, from the devastating experience in Jonestown, continuing
with life’s ups and downs as a Congresswoman.
This novel will keep you, “ Mesmerized”.
I read this book within eight hours, it was difficult to put down, from the devastating experience in Jonestown, continuing
with life’s ups and downs as a Congresswoman.
This novel will keep you, “ Mesmerized”.
December 15, 2018
This probably in my top three books of my reading year.
This woman has weathered controlling parents, assault weapon fire, cheating lovers, sudden death of loved ones, and still keeps kicking!
It's written like a novel too, so it's a pretty quick read!
This woman has weathered controlling parents, assault weapon fire, cheating lovers, sudden death of loved ones, and still keeps kicking!
It's written like a novel too, so it's a pretty quick read!
June 1, 2019
I didn't know the story of Congresswoman Jackie Speier before I read this book. She tells the story of being shot and Jonestown and her lengthy recovery. She shares her life story. She has endured a lot of tragedy in her life.
July 16, 2019
This bad-ass lady waited 22 hours for help after being shot 5 times during the Jonestown massacre. AND THAT'S NOT EVEN THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENS IN THE BOOK. What champ this lady is and what an amazing story of resilience. This may very well be the best nonfiction book I've read this year.
June 12, 2019
Excellent book and really inspiring! Totally recommend it! Another strong, hard working, amazing person!
January 10, 2020
A total hero. What a strong and amazing woman. Shot at Jonestown, widowed, and kept going. Supporting women so very much.
November 11, 2019
Congresswoman Speier has been my representative for my entire adult life, so it seemed fitting to read her book the week of the last election I'll live in her district. I've previously read Season of the Witch and A Thousand Lives. I thought they would give me good background on Rep. Speier's story, but nothing compares to a firsthand account. What's more, I should have known better than to imagine her story as just this one event.
I'm sure any elected official's memoir is going to pretty solidly tout their legislative record. What made this book so engaging for me was how easily Rep. Speier connects her life experiences to the causes she's fought for. And it's not just lip service; she gets results, and has the legislative receipts to prove it. This book really underscores why it's so important to have diverse representation in government. So many times, Rep. Speier was the first over a threshold and had to be the one to turn on the lights for everyone else.
Congresswoman Speier has a remarkable life story and she tells it well. In this book she gets to present herself as herself, and not be defined by what people did to her. I'm proud to be represented by her, and even after I leave her district I'll be glad to know she's still serving other people.
Oh and I'm completely biased because I got to talk to her directly on the phone during one of the 2017 ACA Repeal circuses.
I'm sure any elected official's memoir is going to pretty solidly tout their legislative record. What made this book so engaging for me was how easily Rep. Speier connects her life experiences to the causes she's fought for. And it's not just lip service; she gets results, and has the legislative receipts to prove it. This book really underscores why it's so important to have diverse representation in government. So many times, Rep. Speier was the first over a threshold and had to be the one to turn on the lights for everyone else.
Congresswoman Speier has a remarkable life story and she tells it well. In this book she gets to present herself as herself, and not be defined by what people did to her. I'm proud to be represented by her, and even after I leave her district I'll be glad to know she's still serving other people.
Oh and I'm completely biased because I got to talk to her directly on the phone during one of the 2017 ACA Repeal circuses.
July 24, 2021
Like a lot of people, I didn't know all that much about Speier other than what most people know about her, if anything: she attended the fateful trip with Congressman Leo Ryan in Jonestown and survived despite being shot multiple times at close range. But she went on to have a career and is currently serving in Congress.
The book is perhaps not exactly about her Jonestown experience as many might expect from the title, but an account of her life and times, from her experiences there and her life and career since. This includes the personal, political and more.
Overall, I agree with a lot of people: it's not particularly compelling read. While I'm glad that it wasn't a book that ultimately framed around Jonestown (meaning, it's not the experience that has defined her) all the same it wasn't very interesting either. Unless you're a constituent (or future opponent) I'm not sure there's a lot that will interest people beyond Jonestown.
There's definitely an audience and I'm glad to see more about women in Congress but overall this is probably for a completist, a student of women in Congress/political science or one of the other already named audiences.
Overall, I'd say this one is skippable but I got it via Amazon's Kindle Unlimited program. Library borrow is best if you don't have access to that program.
The book is perhaps not exactly about her Jonestown experience as many might expect from the title, but an account of her life and times, from her experiences there and her life and career since. This includes the personal, political and more.
Overall, I agree with a lot of people: it's not particularly compelling read. While I'm glad that it wasn't a book that ultimately framed around Jonestown (meaning, it's not the experience that has defined her) all the same it wasn't very interesting either. Unless you're a constituent (or future opponent) I'm not sure there's a lot that will interest people beyond Jonestown.
There's definitely an audience and I'm glad to see more about women in Congress but overall this is probably for a completist, a student of women in Congress/political science or one of the other already named audiences.
Overall, I'd say this one is skippable but I got it via Amazon's Kindle Unlimited program. Library borrow is best if you don't have access to that program.
March 22, 2022
Anyone who truly knows me, knows that I enjoy a cult documentary. If there is ever anything out about the Jonestown massacre, I am all in. Jackie Speier was one of the survivors of the massacre. I went into this memoir thinking that I would get more insight into those fateful events in Guyana. It was so much more! The Jonestown murdered were a fraction of Congresswoman Speier’s life. She lived through other life-altering events as well, and had some beautiful life lessons to share. After the events of Jonestown, she was determined to use her life to uplift others – particularly women. It was a good, quick read.
April 11, 2021
An excellent read...
I have long admired Jackie Speier knowing only fractions of her history. To read her book has been enlightening and a great resource of understanding her experiences in life and politics. There are so many reasons to learn more about this inspirational woman of substance. Her rich history has given us a outstanding member of Congress. I read this book and listened to the audiobook through Kindle Unlimited. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Jackie Spider!
I have long admired Jackie Speier knowing only fractions of her history. To read her book has been enlightening and a great resource of understanding her experiences in life and politics. There are so many reasons to learn more about this inspirational woman of substance. Her rich history has given us a outstanding member of Congress. I read this book and listened to the audiobook through Kindle Unlimited. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Jackie Spider!
November 25, 2018
I had known about Jackie Speier's horrific experience in Jonestown--losing her mentor, barely escaping with her life--but I had not heard much about the rest of her life. This is a powerful memoir of a woman dedicated to changing the world, one vote at a time, as she campaigned for a seat on the San Mateo Board of Supervisors, then the state assembly, and finally the US Congress, where she now occupies the seat once held by Leo Ryan. Along the way, she shares her personal ups and downs, and gives testament to the power of family and friendship.
July 9, 2022
I have been honored to have Jackie Speier as my congressperson and have been inspired every time I learned more about her in the past 10 years. I purchased this book a while ago, but only felt compelled to read it when I went to vote in the primary and realized she would be retiring. While I knew plenty about her biography, this book had more information still, and I found it very powerful.
December 29, 2018
Being female, a feminist, a former San Francisco resident, a liberal, and someone interested in cults and the Guyana tragedy this book was a natural for me to read.
I'm an admirer of Jackie Speier. Even though I was familiar with her story, this book surprised me. Jackie had a lot of adversity. I'm even more of a fan after reading this book. Jackie Speier is a brave resilient legislator.
I'm an admirer of Jackie Speier. Even though I was familiar with her story, this book surprised me. Jackie had a lot of adversity. I'm even more of a fan after reading this book. Jackie Speier is a brave resilient legislator.
January 18, 2019
The author is the congressional representative for the 14th district of California. 40 years ago she was legal counsel to Congressman Leo J. Ryan and accompanied him to Guyana to investigate Jim Jones' cult in Jonestown. I'm not likely to ever use the term "drank the Koolaid" again after reading this book.
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