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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
Best nonfiction book I’ve read.
“The diagram of QAnon and New Agers looks more circular every day.”
By the end, I saw this as more of a chronology and evolution of cults and our understanding of them. Starting with what we see as obvious, Jonestown and Heaven’s Gate, to the more inconspicuous, MLMs and fitness cults. And ending with the current threat of social media cults that slowly indoctrinate. Anyone nowadays can be a self titled prophet and gain a following that lives and dies by their “insights”.
Amanda writes in a way that is entertaining without losing the weight of the subject matter. I feel a stronger awareness after finishing not only this book, but also “Wordslut” and “The Magical Age of Overthinking”. I recommend reading anything written by Amanda Montell!
By the end, I saw this as more of a chronology and evolution of cults and our understanding of them. Starting with what we see as obvious, Jonestown and Heaven’s Gate, to the more inconspicuous, MLMs and fitness cults. And ending with the current threat of social media cults that slowly indoctrinate. Anyone nowadays can be a self titled prophet and gain a following that lives and dies by their “insights”.
Amanda writes in a way that is entertaining without losing the weight of the subject matter. I feel a stronger awareness after finishing not only this book, but also “Wordslut” and “The Magical Age of Overthinking”. I recommend reading anything written by Amanda Montell!
fast-paced
informative
reflective
fast-paced
As a writer myself, I know that words have power. I was really intregued by this book when it was chosen for a book club. And, I'm glad that I read it: It puts words into context and explains how those 'cult-like' things - be they fitness programs, social media influencers, or religious-like groups - develop their us v. them mentality using language. However, there were constantly references to things that would be discussed in later sections of the book. And, that got old and annoying. The author layed out the 5 parts of the book and which each one would cover in the introduction. So, I didn' need a reminder that we'd cover so and so in part whatever. While this was a quick read, it could have been tightened up even more by eliminating all those references to other sections making for a more enjoyable read for me AND a faster one.
As I said, I'm glad that I read this one thought. It's nice to have the words to describe what we see around us.
As I said, I'm glad that I read this one thought. It's nice to have the words to describe what we see around us.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
funny
informative
medium-paced
2.5 stars
tried to be many things at once. i hated the “more on that in chapter _”. but overall entertaining and an interesting subject. beautiful cover art that made me pick it up!
tried to be many things at once. i hated the “more on that in chapter _”. but overall entertaining and an interesting subject. beautiful cover art that made me pick it up!