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darlaslays's review against another edition
4.25
I was able to look back at my previous experiences with cult-like organizations with a fresh perspective. I recalled the years wherein I was involved with an organization that was cultish (but beneficial overall) and this group discussed ontology quite a lot. As a result, we had very specific definitions for commonly used words that meant something distinct from how it was typically used in American English. It did feel empowering to use language as a tool for reframing the way I looked at the world, in a positive way. However, there was a sense of shame after I stopped participating in this organization because I did things I now wish I didn’t during my time there.
There were portions in the book that I didn’t quite agree with politically speaking— I fall around the centre-right but also have left leaning social ideologies— however, the author took great care to balance her opinions with facts and also cited evidence of both political parties’ involvement in cult-like activities and influence.
Ultimately, she made a very good case for all of her points, and I completely respect that. It didn’t completely alienate me as a reader who in my life was subject to literally all categories of the cultish organizations that the author described (as a result of mine or my family’s involvement in them). Every time I thought she might have lost me, she always found a way to reel it back in by indicating that she has an open mind and empathy for others who may fall into ideological traps.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in cults and language. I wish my friends and family members with a tendency to join cultish organizations would read this, but that’s okay if they don’t. At least I personally am now equipped with the knowledge I gained from this book.
Minor: Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Sexual harassment
It’s terrifying how deeply people can get involved in dangerous ideologies. This book touches on well-known cases of cult fanaticism that resulted in group suicide (with non-consenting parties also getting killed). There are also portions that discuss cult leaders using their influence to sexually assault women and children. As someone whose family was quite involved in multiple situations that would fall under the Cultish umbrella, hearing certain accounts of interviewees brought back flashbacks of times where I felt genuinely afraid.fkshg8465's review against another edition
5.0
It was good to get a broad spectrum of cults versus just the ones deemed deviations of mainstream Christianity. By including fitness cults, social cults, New Age cults, and pyramid schemes, it makes it really obvious that we are all much more susceptible than in previous times. I would be really interested in reading an extra chapter devoted just to the MAGA cult at some point, if the writer were ever to update the book with one.
I give it a five because I’ll want to read this again later, rather than because it’s as good as a five might be.
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
danimacuk's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Physical abuse and Sexual assault
Minor: Body shaming, Confinement, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Pandemic/Epidemic
growintogardens's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
readwithev's review against another edition
4.25
⚠️Trigger warning ⚠️ Montell does discuss violent dangerous cults that participate(ed) in emotional, physical and/or psychological abuse.
Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Drug use, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Vomit, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
mi7sma's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Genocide, Murder, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Classism
courto875's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Mass/school shootings, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
zosiablue's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Murder, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicide, Kidnapping, and Classism
bashsbooks's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Antisemitism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
nykolereads's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, and Religious bigotry