2018 Edgar Award Finalist—Best Fact Crime“A thoroughly readable, thoroughly chilling account of a brilliant con man and his all-too vulnerable prey” (The Boston Globe)—the definitive story of preacher Jim Jones, who was responsible for the Jonestown Massacre, the largest murder-suicide in American history, by the New York Times bestselling author of Manson.In the 1950s, a young Indianapolis minister named Jim Jones preached a curious blend of the gospel and Marxism. His congregation was racially mixed, and he was a leader in the early civil rights movement. Eventually, Jones moved his church, Peoples Temple, to northern California, where he got involved in electoral politics and became a prominent Bay Area leader. But underneath the surface lurked a terrible darkness. In this riveting narrative, Jeff Guinn examines Jones’s life, from his early days as an idealistic minister to a secret life of extramarital affairs, drug use, and fraudulent faith healing, before the fateful decision to move almost a thousand of his followers to a settlement in the jungles of Guyana in South America. Guinn provides stunning new details of the events leading to the fatal day in November, 1978 when more than nine hundred people died—including almost three hundred infants and children—after being ordered to swallow a cyanide-laced drink. Guinn examined thousands of pages of FBI files on the case, including material released during the course of his research. He traveled to Jones’s Indiana hometown, where he spoke to people never previously interviewed, and uncovered fresh information from Jonestown survivors. He even visited the Jonestown site with the same pilot who flew there the day that Congressman Leo Ryan was murdered on Jones’s orders. The Road to Jonestown is “the most complete picture to date of this tragic saga, and of the man who engineered it…The result is a disturbing portrait of evil—and a compassionate memorial to those taken in by Jones’s malign charisma” (San Francisco Chronicle). Read more

The winner of the 2021 Cundill History Prize and the 2021 Frederick Douglass Book PrizeNamed one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR“An epic history. . . . A sweeping, thoughtful narrative, joining a new wave of books that make visible previously dismissed Black voices.” —Los Angeles TimesNamed one of the best books of the year by NPR, Blood on the River also won two of the highest honors for works of history, capturing both the Frederick Douglass Prize and the Cundill History Prize in 2021. A book with profound relevance for our own time, Blood on the River “fundamentally alters what we know about revolutionary change” according to Cundill Prize juror and NYU history professor Jennifer Morgan.On Sunday, February 27, 1763, thousands of slaves in the Dutch colony of Berbice—in present-day Guyana—launched a rebellion that came amazingly close to succeeding. Blood on the River is the explosive story of this little-known revolution, one that almost changed the face of the Americas. Michael Ignatieff, chair of the Cundill Prize jury, declared that Blood on the River “tells a story so dramatic, so compelling that no reader will be able to put the book down.”Drawing on nine hundred interrogation transcripts collected by the Dutch when the rebellion collapsed, and which were subsequently buried in Dutch archives, historian Marjoleine Kars has constructed what Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Eric Foner calls “a gripping narrative that brings to life a forgotten world.” Read more

It is virtually impossible to understand the history of modern Guyana without understanding the role played by Forbes Burnham. As premier of British Guiana, he led the country to independence in 1966 and spent two decades as its head of state until his death in 1985. An intensely charismatic politician, Burnham helped steer a new course for the former colony, but he was also a quintessential strongman leader, venerated by some of his citizens yet feared and despised by others.  Forbes Burnham: The Life and Times of the Comrade Leader is the first political biography of this complex and influential figure. It charts how the political party he founded, the People’s National Congress, combined nationalist rhetoric, socialist policies, and Pan-Africanist philosophies. It also explores how, in a country already deeply divided between the descendants of African slaves and Indian indentured servants, Burnham consolidated political power by intensifying ethnic polarizations. Drawing from historical archives as well as new interviews with the people who knew Burnham best, sociologist Linden F. Lewis examines how his dictatorial tendencies coexisted with his progressive convictions. Forbes Burnham is a compelling study of the nature of postcolonial leadership and its pitfalls.   Read more

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE In 1903, a young woman sailed from India to Guiana as a "coolie"―the British name for indentured laborers who replaced the newly emancipated slaves on sugar plantations all around the world. Pregnant and traveling alone, this woman, like so many coolies, disappeared into history. In Coolie Woman, her great-granddaughter Gaiutra Bahadur embarks on a journey into the past to find her. Traversing three continents and trawling through countless colonial archives, Bahadur excavates not only her great-grandmother's story but also the repressed history of some quarter of a million other coolie women, shining a light on their complex lives. Shunned by society, and sometimes in mortal danger, many coolie women were either runaways, widows, or outcasts. Many of them left husbands and families behind to migrate alone in epic sea voyages―traumatic "middle passages"―only to face a life of hard labor, dismal living conditions and sexual exploitation. Coolie Woman is a meditation on survival, a gripping story of a double diaspora―from India to the West Indies in one century, Guyana to the United States in the next―that is at once a search for one's roots and an exploration of gender and power, peril and opportunity.  Read more

Biography of a Guyanese Creative: Claire Ann Goring, M.S.Special EditionCelebrate the vibrant life and enduring legacy of Claire Ann Goring, M.S., a trailblazing cultural icon, designer, and guardian of Guyanese heritage. This richly detailed biography weaves together heartfelt tributes, vivid reflections, and artistic accolades from family, friends, and colleagues around the world.Born in Victoria Village, the first community purchased by freed African slaves in Guyana, Claire’s life was deeply rooted in culture, community, and creativity. From her pioneering work with Mashramani costume bands to her leadership with the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, she championed the preservation and celebration of Guyanese folk traditions.Spanning decades of cultural advocacy in Guyana and the diaspora, this commemorative edition includes personal stories, rare photographs, original writings by Claire, and tributes from national leaders and artists alike. It chronicles her evolution from a gifted artist and costume designer to a revered figure recognized with the Guyana Medal of Service and GCA Lifetime Achievement Award.Whether you are a student of Caribbean culture or discovering Claire's story for the first time, this biography is an inspiring testament to one woman’s indelible impact on a nation’s cultural identity. Read more

A groundbreaking study of slavery and power in the British Caribbean that foregrounds the struggle for survivalAtlantic slave societies were notorious deathtraps. In Surviving Slavery in the British Caribbean, Randy M. Browne looks past the familiar numbers of life and death and into a human drama in which enslaved Africans and their descendants struggled to survive against their enslavers, their environment, and sometimes one another. Grounded in the nineteenth-century British colony of Berbice, one of the Atlantic world's best-documented slave societies and the last frontier of slavery in the British Caribbean, Browne argues that the central problem for most enslaved people was not how to resist or escape slavery but simply how to stay alive.Guided by the voices of hundreds of enslaved people preserved in an extraordinary set of legal records, Browne reveals a world of Caribbean slavery that is both brutal and breathtakingly intimate. Field laborers invoked abolitionist-inspired legal reforms to protest brutal floggings, spiritual healers conducted secretive nighttime rituals, anxious drivers weighed the competing pressures of managers and the condition of their fellow slaves in the fields, and women fought back against abusive masters and husbands. Browne shows that at the core of enslaved people's complicated relationships with their enslavers and one another was the struggle to live in a world of death.Provocative and unflinching, Surviving Slavery in the British Caribbean reorients the study of Atlantic slavery by revealing how differently enslaved people's social relationships, cultural practices, and political strategies appear when seen in the light of their unrelenting struggle to survive. Read more

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The untold story of the intersecting lives of the Reverend Jim Jones and Harvey Milk—marking the 40th anniversary of the Jonestown massacre and Milk's assassinationNovember 1978. The Reverend Jim Jones, the darling of the San Francisco political establishment, orchestrates the murders and suicides of 918 people at a remote jungle outpost in South America. Days later, Harvey Milk, one of America's first openly gay elected officials—and one of Jim Jones's most vocal supporters—is assassinated in San Francisco's City Hall.This horrifying sequence of events shocked the world. Almost immediately, the lives and deaths of Jim Jones and Harvey Milk became shrouded in myth. The distortions and omissions have piled up since.Now, forty years later, this book corrects the record. The product of a decade of research, including extensive archival work and ­dozens of exclusive interviews, Cult City reveals just how confused our understanding has become. In life, Jim Jones enjoyed the support of prominent politicians and Hollywood stars even as he preached atheism and communism from the pulpit; in death, he transforms into a fringe figure, a "fundamentalist Christian," and a "fascist." In life, Harvey Milk outed friends, faked hate crimes, and falsely claimed that the U.S. Navy dishonorably discharged him over his homosexuality; in death, he is honored in an Oscar-winning movie, with a California state holiday, and with a U.S. Navy ship named for him. His assassin, a blue-collar Democrat who often voted with Milk in support of gay issues, is remembered as a right-winger and a homophobe.But the story extends far beyond Jones and Milk. Author Daniel J. Flynn vividly portrays the strange intersection of mainstream politics and murderous extremism in 1970s San Francisco—the hangover after the high of the Summer of Love. In recounting the fascinating, intersecting lives of Jim Jones and ­Harvey Milk, Cult City tells the story of a great city gone horribly wrong. Read more

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Burdened with a heritage of both Spanish and British colonization and imperialism, Guyana is today caught between its colonial past, its efforts to achieve the consciousness of nationhood, and the need of its diverse subgroups to maintain their own identity. Stains on My Name, War in My Veins chronicles the complex struggles of the citizens of Guyana to form a unified national culture against the pulls of ethnic, religious, and class identities.Drawing on oral histories and a close study of daily life in rural Guyana, Brackette E. Williams examines how and why individuals and groups in their quest for recognition as a “nation” reproduce ethnic chauvinism, racial stereotyping, and religious bigotry. By placing her ethnographic study in a broader historical context, the author develops a theoretical understanding of the relations among various dimensions of personal identity in the process of nation building. Read more

If you like nonfiction - that reads like a suspense novel, enlightens, and inspires - then multiple award-winning PATH to FREEDOM: My Story of Perseverance is for you. Its author, upon graduating from West Point, unwittingly returned to a government which had become a dictatorship - overnight. Its leaders obsessed about him being a spy for the United States - because of West Point. The Smithsonian displays the historically-accurate, coming-of-age memoir in its Anacostia Museum Library. Little about Conrad Taylor's upbringing in a vibrant remote mining town - deep in impenetrable tropical rain forests of Guyana, South America - prepared him for West Point. An extraordinary opportunity for most, attending the highly-regimented United States Military Academy was a life-changer for him. Enduring culture shock, navigating rude awakenings, and surviving the rigorous West Point Experience hardened Taylor for dealing with an anti-American totalitarian government fearful of the young graduate being in cahoots with the United States to effect regime change. His was the impossible task of proving that he was not - or else! PATH to FREEDOM: My Story of Perseverance offers a ringside seat to the cultural trauma of emigration, the unique experience that is West Point, the personal side of superpower geopolitics, and the toxicity of ethnic politics. The narrative charts a sometimes-humorous journey of resilience, hope, survival, and love. Its revelations will be nostalgic for some, shocking to many, and enlightening for others. Its subtly-threaded love story will enchant - at the very least. PATH to FREEDOM has a simple proposition. Fly-or-die! Read more

This comparative study of two republics examines the conditions that determine regime survival in less developed countries. The author looks at the functioning of political élites and the strategies employed, such as ethnic mobilization, patronage and coercion, to gain and maintain control of the state. He argues that political and economic development can only be adequately advanced by the resolution of the conflict between regime survival and the satisfaction of collective needs. If these collective needs are met, equitable mass participation in the domestic political process must be guaranteed. Read more

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Journey through the vibrant and enthralling history, culture, and natural wonders of Suriname in this amazing book. Immerse yourself in a captivating narrative that takes you from the enigmatic origins of this South American gem to its contemporary challenges and aspirations.Unveil the secrets of Suriname's ancient rainforests, where biodiversity thrives amidst the whispers of untold mysteries. Explore the hidden trails of the Maroon people, descendants of enslaved Africans who forged their own societies in the heart of the jungle. Wander through historic cities, lounge on pristine beaches, and savor the fusion cuisine that defines Suriname's coastal charm.This text-only book offers a deep dive into the rich tapestry of Suriname's past and present, from the indigenous cultures of the Guiana Shield to the struggles of colonialism, slavery, and the quest for independence. Delve into the stories of resilience, resistance, and transformation that have shaped this nation's identity.This book unveils Suriname's complexities, its diverse ethnic groups, and its commitment to democracy and diversity. It navigates the challenges of resource management, social inclusion, and sustainable development that define contemporary Suriname.If you're a lover of history, culture, and the wonders of the natural world, this book is a must-read. It invites you to embark on a literary journey that will transport you to the heart of Suriname, leaving you with a profound appreciation for this captivating nation.Buy this book today and embark on an unforgettable adventure through Suriname's past and present. Let the words on these pages paint vivid images in your mind and transport you to a land where history, culture, and nature converge in an enchanting tapestry. Read more

Georgetown, capital of Guyana, on the northeast coast of South America, has been described as 'the Venice of the West Indies', and its elegant canals and bridges, lush tropical vegetation and handsome buildings make it a place of great beauty. The city's architecture is essentially colonial, having been molded by the French, Dutch, British and Spanish during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Built in a classical style reinterpreted by local craftsmen and realized largely in the region's plentiful wood rather than more durable brick and stone, these buildings are now suffering from neglect and the ravages of the hot, humid climate. Some are being carefully preserved and maintained, but many more are disintegrating or being demolished to make way for development, much of it in glass and concrete. This book documents those colonial buildings, some of which have disappeared even since they were photographed. Compton Davis begins by giving a brief history of Georgetown itself, describing the influences that resulted in its charming and characteristic architecture, and explaining the various house types that are to be found in the city. The main part of the book is organized geographically, dividing the city into its various districts and describing the notable houses to be found in each. Photographs of the buildings and their particular features are accompanied by short descriptive and historical texts. During the thirty years since the project began, a number of the buildings have disappeared - some destroyed by fire and others by decay, and some more recently demolished and replaced by concrete structures. The photographs have become a historical document and visual archive that charts the transformation of the building culture of Georgetown during the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, from its original colonial wooden structures to an international style based on glass and concrete. The photographs also commemorate the elegant colonial garden city that Georgetown once was, as well as celebrating the Guyanese craftsmen and builders who helped to shape it. This beautiful book, lovingly photographed and researched over several decades, will appeal to architecture lovers everywhere, as well as to those interested in colonial history, the visual history of South America and the history of building in wood. It will also appeal to conservationists and preservationists and anyone interested in the protection of vulnerable buildings. Read more

The World Today Series: Latin America offers the latest available economic, demographic, political, and cultural information. Including solid statistical data expressing freedom, violence, and governmental orientation. Consideration is given to the evolving relationships with the United States and other Latin American nations. Revisions have also addressed new historical interpretations, for example, of the history of Mexico and latest political changes, for example, in Venezuela and Cuba. Maps, charts, and photographs provide extensive visual expressions of the region, its geography, peoples, and cultures, in particular public architecture, agricultural technology, specular geology, and striking diversity. The images offer a narrative of the multiplicity of peoples as demonstrated in their clothing, economic and everyday activities, their physical surroundings. Consequently, the narrative combines global economics, national politics, and daily social life throughout the region. The chapters can be read as individual histories for each of the countries, within the context created by contrasts and similarities with the other nations of Latin America. Read more

This book is about Anglo-American involvement in the reopening of the border controversy between Guyana, formerly British Guiana, and Venezuela. The dispute over the border commenced in the mid-nineteenth century when Venezuela asserted a claim to some two-thirds of the territory of the British colony. Great Britain’s refusal to refer the delimitation of the border to arbitration developed into a major crisis in Anglo-American affairs in 1895. The United States had assessed the issue as a major challenge to the Monroe Doctrine and it would provoke the two English-speaking powers close to military conflict. In 1899, an arbitral tribunal met in Paris and agreed unanimously on the boundary line between British Guiana and Venezuela. That boundary line has been universally accepted. In 1962 at the height of the Cold War, Venezuela repudiated the award claiming that it was a “political deal”. Fidel Castro had assumed power in Cuba and there were anxieties about the spread of Communism in the Americas, particularly in British Guiana during the pre-independence premiership of Marxist oriented Cheddi Jagan. Cedric Joseph examines the primary documents relating to the diplomacy of the administrations of John F Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. He explores their special relationships, sympathies and acute predisposition towards Venezuela that permitted the reopening of the boundary issue and ultimately sacrificed the territorial integrity of Guyana. He also establishes the collusion between Suriname’s claim to territory in Guyana and the Venezuelan claim. Read more

From Charismatic Preacher to Cult Leader - Unraveling the Tragic Tale of Blind Obedience and Mass SuicideJim Jones and the People's Temple represent one of the most notorious cases of mass suicide and cults in history. The People's Temple began as a progressive religious community preaching equality, social justice, and racial integration under the leadership of the charismatic and manipulative minister Jim Jones. Eventually, however, it evolved into a tightly controlled and dangerous cult.The story is incredibly outlandish, to the point where its strangeness almost eclipses the tragedy for many people. Almost a thousand people were so enthralled by a cult leader's conspiracy theories that they relocated to Guyana and secluded themselves in a compound.How did so many people become disconnected from reality? And why did they fall so easily?This true story not only provides answers to these questions, but also brings the tragedy of the Jonestown Massacre to the forefront by removing the mystery surrounding it. This heartbreaking account examines the rise and collapse of the People's Temple, focusing on Jim Jones' methods for maintaining absolute control over his followers. From the relocation of the temple to Guyana and the founding of the infamous Jonestown settlement to the harrowing events leading up to the mass suicide and murder of over 900 people, the story of Jim Jones and the People's Temple is a haunting cautionary tale about the dangers of blind obedience and the terrifying potential of charismatic leaders. Read more

Did you know that Guyana is home to the world's largest single-drop waterfall by volume of water? Kaieteur Falls, located in the heart of the country's rainforest, plunges over a cliff edge from a height of 226 meters (741 feet), making it a breathtaking natural wonder.If this topic interests you and your little one then get ready for some fun and giggles.It is hard to find the time to teach your child about the world around them. Luckily, in 50 Facts About Guyana, we've made it easy. Our book contains a diverse selection of the most interesting facts about Guyana that will provide your child with hours of bonding and exploring.What you will find in our book:High-quality illustrationsInteresting Facts about GuyanaThis book also provides travel tips and places that are useful for your trip, and you will learn all about GuyanaPerfect for homeschooling, language development and for school holidaysSo what are you waiting for? Get your little kid a copy today! Read more

The night of August 17, 1823 saw the start of one of the most massive slave rebellions in the history of the Western Hemisphere, the uprising in the British colony of Demerara (now Guyana), in which nearly twelve thousand slaves took up arms against their masters. In Crowns of Glory, Emilia Viotti da Costa tells the riveting story of this pivotal moment in the history of slavery. Studying the complaints brought by slaves to the office of the Protector of Slaves, she reconstructs the experience of slavery through the eyes of the Demerara slaves themselves. Da Costa also draws on eyewitness accounts, official records, and private journals (most notably the diary of John Smith, one of four ministers sent by the London Missionary Society to convert Demerara's "heathen"), to paint a vivid portrait of a society in transition, shaken to its foundations by the recent revolutions in America, France, and Haiti. Casting new light on the nuances of racial relations in the colonies, the inevitable clash between the missionaries' message of Christian brotherhood and a social order based on masters and slaves, and the larger historical forces that were profoundly eroding the institution of slavery itself, Crowns of Glory is an original and unforgettable book. Read more