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lara_ayrolla's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This was a nice book that made me learn patterns and concepts that I'll never be able to unlearn. The writing wasn't the most polished and there were many things that I would like changed, but, overall, it was pleasant and intelligent. I'm glad I read it.
Pros:
Pros:
- The linguistic explanations present in this book are interesting and reflective, creating a whole new perspective on multiple scenarios for me.
- Many examples used enriched the experience and helped me better understand the consequences of linguistic choices.
- This book has two things that make me swoon when I'm reading: many quotables, and knowledge that will not allow me to be the same as I was before reading it.
- I like how many of the concepts taught in previous chapters are carried to the next ones and used organically, making it easier to internalize the knowledge and truly understand it.
Cons:
- The writing is a bit clunky and needs more editing.
- The order in which things are said seems random and not planned. Reading that something will be spoken about in other chapters adds nothing but frustration and confusion to the reading experience.
- Much information without sources was given.
- Too many personal examples and experiences are used, making the book sound less professional and a little too much like a linguistic-themed memoir at some points.
- There is so much unnecessary history and background that it becomes daunting to read until getting to the actual point.
- I'm glad that there are notes, but it's quite unfortunate that they are all at the end of the book with no identifiable number or code whatsoever.
- I know I bring it upon myself by reading books from the United States but the hyper-focus on the country and the almost fantastical view of other places never fails to disappoint me. I would have liked this book tons more had it been more focused on the topic in general than so specifically on US culture.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Murder
abicaro17's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Montell investigates the way that cult language has integrated into much more of our everyday activities. From MLMs to Crossfit, broad and manipulative language convinces all kinds of people to buy into their brands. Starting off in Guyana with Jonestown, Montell explains that most people have the instinct to trust average middle age white men who seem to listen and care about the things they care about. This is how Jim Jones was able to convince people to literally drink cyanide juice when the government was coming to shut him down. It's also how #BossBabes recuit downlines in MLMs like Rodan+Fields and Luluroe, how Crossfit and Peleton trainers convince people to come to class, and how Instagram gurus sell juices and CBD oil. By using generic language that sounds knowledgeable or relatable, these companies, brands, or gurus can sell their products, their #BossBabe lifestyle, or even $2,000 machines. This book was both interesting and relatable, using interviews with people who fell for "cultish" like some followers of Jonestown, some #BossBabes, and news stories of QAnon followers. I feel like I learned a lot about why people join cults and cult like groups and how the language changes to fit different kinds of cults. I think my only complaint was some of the language was explained once and then never again so if I forgot what it was the book was confusing. Otherwise it was entertaining and enlightening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, and Pandemic/Epidemic
darlaslays's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
I definitely enjoyed this book. I love topics that discuss cults, and this book covered the topic in a fresh way for me. I am very familiar with the concept of how the nuances of language are tools used to control and influence people.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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.rideauriverreads's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting
moon_peach's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Such an interesting book that discusses cults from Jonestown to social media "gurus"
She also holds a lot of empathy for people who fall victim to them.
She also holds a lot of empathy for people who fall victim to them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide
komiification's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Only thing stopping me from giving this 5 stars because I LOVED this, was it definitely needed to go through a final edit. Way too much of 'more on this later'. But other than that, I thought it was super insightful all around. One of my favs!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
kglawrence's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Montell delivers information about cult-ish language and our succeptability to this in an engaging way. However, throughout much of the book I felt her personal biases overshadowed the content and had me feeling ick about the authors voice that had initially excited me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Suicide
taurusfeelings's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Murder
kendal_reads's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
2.75
is this me not liking it was we go on or am i being influenced by negative reviews ? the world will never know
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, and Murder
Minor: Body shaming, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
vixenreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Essential reading for everyone, this non-fiction text explores how linguistics, gaslighting, and thought-terminating cliches used in cults can be used to prey on vulnerable individuals, whether it be in traditionally harmful cults, or the mainstream ones online. It is a call to arms about keeping your curious without ignoring your intuition and natural instincts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Xenophobia, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Rape, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, and Cultural appropriation
Be aware that this book addresses extreme cults, “brainwashing,” mental abuse, mass suicide, financial abuse, and gaslighting through language.