If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, rolling stone may receive an affiliate commission.
The process of recruiting a cult and the psychological control of its members can seem like an obvious red flag to outsiders and make us think, as individuals, that we are too smart and cunning to fall for such a thing. but it happens constantly. from ancient times to the present day, there has always been an ever-present person who shows up and strikes the perfect mix of intrigue and awe among followers, with control and manipulation not far behind. From the Manson Family to Isis, from Waco to Jonestown and beyond, the best books on cults delve into survivor testimonies and expert reviews.
You are reading: Best books about cults
See Also: John Lawton – Book Series In Order
While all cults differ in their motives, methods, and goals, there are definitely common threads to be aware of, the biggest of which is abusive control. “A defined, personality-driven group dominated by a charismatic leader is the most salient individual characteristic of destructive cults,” says Rick Alan Ross, expert on cult behavior and deprogramming, and author of Cults In Reverse.
For some, exploitation could also be a common trait. Ross says leaders often convince members to willingly give up access to their finances or take on unpaid work. explains, cults exercise tight control over the individual, both psychologically and emotionally, with the goal of slowly increasing their isolation from family, friends, and the outside world, and sometimes even moving them to a distant base or compound. p>
“It varies from person to person, but if they are welcomed and greeted in a safe way that makes them feel a sense of belonging and offers approval that they may not have in their lives, it can be a a place where they feel someone really understands them,” says dr. Tod Gross, a Boston-based psychologist who has worked with victims of abuse. “a charismatic and sincere approach from a demonstrative recruiter,” he continues, “could be all it takes, and suddenly they feel like part of a brotherhood/sorority, and are treated in a way that makes them feel special, with the opportunity to be something bigger than themselves.”
Abusive and controlling cults know exactly who they are targeting and take advantage of them, using timeless strategies that can influence even the most unlikely people. According to Ross, “My experience has taught me that a cult can potentially recruit anyone regardless of their education or social background. no one is invulnerable or somehow immune.”
See Also: Best Homeschooling Books for Parents – Fearless Homeschool
And while it might be easy for us to say we’d just walk away or run away in that situation, it’s not always a realistic option. even if the person is not physically restrained or threatened with embarrassment or violence, which is often the case, betraying the beloved kidnapper or leader can be an unthinkable act. The recent success of shows like HBO’s documentary NXIVM, The Vote, Leah’s Memory, Scientology and the Aftermath, and Netflix’s Wild Wild Country show that trying to leave a cult can be just as damaging as staying in one.
For those who do manage to leave, it’s often a brutal process. the amount of willpower it takes to endure years of abuse and the unabashed courage it takes to escape is almost unfathomable to those who haven’t lived through it. but it is possible, documented here with these stories of survival and a disturbing look at how deeply and quickly an ideology can create a dangerous fringe of society.
Destructive and isolating cults can masquerade as anything from religions to self-help and even exercise regiments. these books tell the stories and warning signs of those who studied it, lived it, and escaped the deepest reaches of cult organizations.
See Also: Inspector Wexford – Book Series In Order