Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

7 reviews

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. 

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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

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. 

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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.

mayakinsley's review against another edition

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Murder

Moderate: Pedophilia

Minor: Sexual assault and Slavery

tender_onion's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting

yeojinqueen's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

kellywa2711's review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

cghegan's review against another edition

dark informative reflective fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Murder, and Gaslighting

Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Sexism, Slavery, and Cultural appropriation