Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

17 reviews

thursdd4y's review

informative fast-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Police brutality, Gun violence, Gaslighting, Murder, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Violence, and Suicide

Moderate: Alcoholism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Drug use, Cursing, Terminal illness, Classism, Drug abuse, and Grief

itisnatal's review against another edition

dark informative medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, and Gun violence

apoppyinthewind's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

3.5

It was a little tricky to rate this one because while I found the subject matter fascinating and engaging, at times I found the narration & the structure of the audiobook took away from the experience a bit. The book is divided into parts and the parts have numbered sections but on the audiobook I listened to, the number sections aren't listed in the contents or marked as chapter breaks so it can start to blur together. 

Also, the audiobook highlights the "More on that later" pattern that other reviewers have pointed out which became irritating. 

Aside from those issues though, it was a fascinating look into the word cult, what we generally know/think about cults, and how language evolves around cults. There were a few personal anecdotes which I found interesting though I could see them being off-putting if you were looking for a more academic-style text.

One element I especially appreciated was the way Montell tried to destigmatize the way folks are drawn into cults, and any scorn in the book was aimed at the manipulative cult leaders, not the ones who were drawn into cultish groups. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Bullying, and Death

Moderate: Child abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Body shaming

Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism

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

kshertz's review

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Fascinating. It’s all a cult, just choose yours wisely. The psychology behind cults and the different cults we have gone through waves of as Americans were so interesting. I was interested in the MLMs the most. It’s depressing how entrenched in our government they are. It was very interesting! I recommend for anyone who has an interest in this area. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence, Bullying, Child death, Alcoholism, Cursing, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Death

blueberryelf's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Emotional abuse, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, Cursing, Body shaming, Cancer, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, and Alcoholism

butlerebecca's review against another edition

funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Racism, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Trafficking

ramhog's review

dark funny informative fast-paced

4.5

This put into words so many conversations and thoughts I've had with my partner and friends! I don't feel like I particularly learned anything groundbreaking or new but having this exploration of the language of cults laid out so neatly and in an engaging way makes it a must-read imo. Bought at Firestorm Books.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Bullying, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Murder, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Suicide, Mental illness, and Misogyny

Since this is all about various cults and their abuses I'm sure I missed some warnings. From my memory none of the descriptions longer, but it does deal head on with dark themes.

linkamarisa's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry

Minor: Body shaming, Misogyny, Abortion, Addiction, Alcoholism, Cultural appropriation, and Suicide

e_claire's review against another edition

challenging dark informative sad slow-paced

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, and Emotional abuse