Summary

Chapter 3 of “Part One” is titled “The SLA.” The first night of the kidnapping, Patricia began to learn about her captors. Donald's codename was Cin, short for Cinque M'tume. He was 30 and the self-proclaimed general field marshal in the SLA. In 1969, he beat a tourist and stole a check. He represented himself in court and was sentenced a term of five years to life in the prison, Vacaville, near the university campus. Students and activists volunteered there, including Willy, Mizmoon, and Nancy. They were joined by two other men, Russ Little and Joe Remiro. All became members of the SLA.

George Jackson had written a book about the injustices of the California penal system. He was shot by guards during a prison riot. The SLA adopted Jackson's book, Blood in My Eye, as their “bible.” Jackson...