Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Cultos by Amanda Montell

41 reviews

aliciaofalaska's review against another edition

informative mysterious medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

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

trippyotter's review against another edition

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

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

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

amsswim's review against another edition

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

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

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, Violence, and Gaslighting

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

reb_knits's review against another edition

funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Suicide, Religious bigotry, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Racism, and Trafficking

e_asw_97's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Body shaming, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual violence

eruanna317's review against another edition

dark funny informative fast-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Drug use