Reviews

Destroying the World to Save It: Aum Shinrikyo, Apocalyptic Violence, and the New Global Terrorism by Robert Jay Lifton

ptrevs's review against another edition

dark informative reflective slow-paced

3.75

The first 2/3rds or so were really excellent, but the latter part of the book really slowed down and meandered. Felt like it was retreading a lot of things discussed earlier 

bruhcheesee's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

4.0

very informative. really interesting. definitely a page-turner for me.

surprised this isnt talked about more. 

hail yourselves 

mollywil's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

4.5

xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition

dark informative slow-paced

4.0

 This book is listed on The Last Podcast on the Left Reading List. This books is about Aum Shinrikyo, a Japanese cult founded by Shoko Asahara in 1987. This cult was responsible for the worldwide headline grabbing Tokyo Sarin Gas Attack in 1995, and was also responsible for the Matsumoto Sarin Gas Attack in 1994. I knew about this from readings and podcasts, but I was not aware of the murders and shenanagins that cult members were involved in. This book gave a really in depth look at the cult and the members, as well as the psychology behind cults. This cult has split into other active factions, especially after the arrest of Asahara and other members for criminal activities. I thought that Asahara was still alive, but he and six other cult members were executed in July 2018. This was a very interesting book, which I would recommend for anyone interested in cults, Japanese history, crime, or psychology. I love Robert Jay Lifton's work, and look forward to reading another book that I own by him. The only complaint I have about this book is that I bought it used and someone had written themselves footnotes in it, but their handwriting was illegible, so I have no idea if they had interesting thoughts to add. 

darlinglemon's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

lfagundes's review against another edition

1.0

how is a book about this subject boring???

i don't know, but it was.

i finally gave up after dreading reading it for 2 months and never getting past page 120.

this man could make a book about cannibalistic drug-crazed sex slaves dull.