Reviews
Don't Call It a Cult: The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of Nxivm by Sarah Berman
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Don't Call It a Cult is a well written journalistic examination of the often lurid and sordid facts surrounding Keith Raniere and NXIVM. Due out 20th April 2021 from Steerforth Press, it's 336 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
I vaguely remember reading about the various trials surrounding NXIVM and Raniere. I have never been much of a true-crime reader, so I came into this read mostly ignorant of the situation, background, and facts of the cases. Sarah Berman is very capable and writes simply and convincingly. Although the book is meticulously annotated and supported with references throughout, it's accessible and understandable. I didn't feel that the author had an agenda and she didn't sensationalize the facts of the case (which are pretty shocking on that scale).
To me, NXIVM was even more remarkable for the vast scope of all the intertwined aspects and arms of the organization and also for the wealth and resources of its adherents. It's sobering to think that no matter how intelligent, well educated, or self-sufficient we are, no matter what economic advantages we have, we can all be manipulated and hoodwinked by charismatic and unscrupulous people/media.
The author presents the material factually and baldly, without flowery language or overemphasis. In my case that made the subject matter even more forceful: "It was uncomfortable imagining the words What was it like being branded? coming out of my mouth, but I knew I had to get there somehow". Many of the interviews which she relates make for uncomfortable reading and were related in such a direct way that it took my breath away.
The book includes a dramatis personae at the front to keep the primary players straight. The author has also done a good job with the annotations and the chapter notes and bibliography will keep readers busy for a long time.
Well done book. Uncomfortable reading in places though. Potential trigger warnings for sensitive readers: discussions on psychosexual torture and manipulation. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Don't Call It a Cult is a well written journalistic examination of the often lurid and sordid facts surrounding Keith Raniere and NXIVM. Due out 20th April 2021 from Steerforth Press, it's 336 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
I vaguely remember reading about the various trials surrounding NXIVM and Raniere. I have never been much of a true-crime reader, so I came into this read mostly ignorant of the situation, background, and facts of the cases. Sarah Berman is very capable and writes simply and convincingly. Although the book is meticulously annotated and supported with references throughout, it's accessible and understandable. I didn't feel that the author had an agenda and she didn't sensationalize the facts of the case (which are pretty shocking on that scale).
To me, NXIVM was even more remarkable for the vast scope of all the intertwined aspects and arms of the organization and also for the wealth and resources of its adherents. It's sobering to think that no matter how intelligent, well educated, or self-sufficient we are, no matter what economic advantages we have, we can all be manipulated and hoodwinked by charismatic and unscrupulous people/media.
The author presents the material factually and baldly, without flowery language or overemphasis. In my case that made the subject matter even more forceful: "It was uncomfortable imagining the words What was it like being branded? coming out of my mouth, but I knew I had to get there somehow". Many of the interviews which she relates make for uncomfortable reading and were related in such a direct way that it took my breath away.
The book includes a dramatis personae at the front to keep the primary players straight. The author has also done a good job with the annotations and the chapter notes and bibliography will keep readers busy for a long time.
Well done book. Uncomfortable reading in places though. Potential trigger warnings for sensitive readers: discussions on psychosexual torture and manipulation. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
on_your_raedar's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Really fascinating listen. I hadn’t heard of Nxivm until now and was not prepared what happened. The way people are able to manipulate others will forever be a mystery to me.
Def recommend. It’s well researched and the author did a walk good job including different perspectives and showing the growth of each people.
Def recommend. It’s well researched and the author did a walk good job including different perspectives and showing the growth of each people.
brittanyplusbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.0
emmakmanning's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
3.25
katemc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Wow guys. This was dense! In a good way. I’ve consumed a lot of NXIVM related content, mostly because I can’t believe I’d never heard of it before the HBO doc! I’ve grilled my parents and they said they only ever vaguely remembered a story or two in the TU. Like how was this all happening in my backyard and I never knewwwww that’s crazy.
This book covered a lot of ground and got into a ton of detail especially about the earlier years (pre-NXIVM through like 2009) that wasn’t covered as deeply in the docs. I still feel like you need to watch both docs and read this to get the full story just because this group was so convoluted and had their grubby fingers in so many different areas. But this really helped fill in the long term picture and tell the story in a pretty chronological and coherent way.
Berman did a great job condensing what I imagine was a mountain of interviews, court docs, and decades of reporting into 300 pages. Herculean task. And the writing was engaging - definitely didn’t sacrifice style for raw info, which is always great.
Fuck Keith Raniere forever and ever and ever.
This book covered a lot of ground and got into a ton of detail especially about the earlier years (pre-NXIVM through like 2009) that wasn’t covered as deeply in the docs. I still feel like you need to watch both docs and read this to get the full story just because this group was so convoluted and had their grubby fingers in so many different areas. But this really helped fill in the long term picture and tell the story in a pretty chronological and coherent way.
Berman did a great job condensing what I imagine was a mountain of interviews, court docs, and decades of reporting into 300 pages. Herculean task. And the writing was engaging - definitely didn’t sacrifice style for raw info, which is always great.
Fuck Keith Raniere forever and ever and ever.
dirtandtrees's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0