Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

35 reviews

zosiablue's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

3.0

I think the author's thesis was: Cults (like Heaven's Gate) and cult-feeling orgs (like SoulCycle) are different, but share similar language, and listening for cultish language is our best chance at not getting sucked in. Which is a cool premise but she doesn't land it. There are a lot of contradictions, tons of meandering,  and occasional strong political statements that I enjoyed but were then dampened by weaker language. It was messy but it did get me thinking about how pervasive cult language is. I think this book would be most eye-opening for anyone who feels conflicted about MLMs or Instagram influencers and things like that (this will talk them out of following). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Cultural appropriation, Murder, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Mental illness, Classism, Child death, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Suicide

bashsbooks's review

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

This is an extremely cool linguistic exploration on how language impacts how people decided to join and stay in manipulative groups (broadly termed 'cultish'). From murder-suicides like Jonestown and Heaven's Gate to MLMs to fitness groups like Soul Cycle, the spectrum is wide, but Montell convincing demonstrates on how all these groups employ similar rhetorical strats to recruit people.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Murder, Religious bigotry, Racism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death, and Child death

Moderate: Antisemitism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Addiction

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

nykolereads's review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Drug abuse, and Death

aliciaofalaska's review

informative mysterious medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Torture

trippyotter's review

informative medium-paced

4.0

This book... I knew about several of the things mentioned, but the few I didn't, yikes...

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Rape, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Religious bigotry

cady_sass's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but don’t join that MLM. 

In all seriousness this is EXPERTLY done and I’m blown away. I’ve always been drawn to cult history and I really, really appreciate the work the author did here to include “cultish” behavior (hence, the title) of non cult entities- MLMs, fitness & CrossFit culture, MAGA, etc.- along with the obvious identifiable cults like Jonestown, Heavens Gate, and Nxivm, among others. 

Super important to give language to the behaviors and vernacular that are big red flags 🚩 so people can engage carefully and make informed decisions. Highly, highly recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Ableism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Sexism, Classism, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Racism, Sexual harassment, and Suicide attempt

cassielaj's review against another edition

challenging dark funny informative medium-paced

5.0

Absolutely fascinating! As someone who loves language and dabbles in true crime, I was so intrigued by this book that breaks down the manipulative language used in cult-like settings from Jonestown to SoulCycle. Montell makes her subjects accessible, enthralling, and a lot of fun. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Suicide

amsswim's review

hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. Would recommend to all who like white collar crime, cults, and pyramid schemes. I picked this up because I also listen to Amanda's podcast "Sounds Like a Cult" which does smaller episodic takes of some of what she covered, more focused on everyday "cults". This did a great deep dive into separate topics, that all use the same tactics in reeling people in. Highly recommend!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Suicide, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Violence

siebensommer's review against another edition

dark informative lighthearted medium-paced

3.75

the conditioning to automatically trust the voices of middle-aged white men. Over the centuries, we've been primed to believe that the sound of a Jim Jones-type voice communicates an innate power and capability — that it sounds like the voice of God.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Body horror, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, and Sexism

missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition

4.0

Informational and educational. Would have rated it higher if it 1. Didn’t trigger my anxiety 2. Didn’t include the author patting herself on the back every few pages for being too good and enlightened to join a cult, & 3. Had regular page formatting instead of a skinny indented body of text.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Violence

Moderate: Physical abuse, Suicide, Death, Mental illness, Drug use, and Suicide attempt