That's why I think it's important to revisit the story of Jonestown. I hope readers come away with a greater compassion for Jim Jones's victims, a third of whom were minors. To get a feeling for what it was like to be in their situation.

I only wish my brother David had survived to experience Berkeley as well. No one would flinch here if we were to walk down the street together, whereas in Indiana we were constantly met with hostility. I don't believe in heaven, but this is about as close to heaven on earth as I imagine getting.

Jonestown was supposed to be a great socialist experiment, a place where all the evil isms would be eradicated: racism, sexism, elitism. This appealed to blacks and white progressives alike. Fed up with racist AmeriKKKa, they were going to start their own society, on their own terms.

Life may not be fair, but when you have someone to believe in, life can be managed, and sometimes, even miraculous.