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A review by bashsbooks
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
This is an extremely cool linguistic exploration on how language impacts how people decided to join and stay in manipulative groups (broadly termed 'cultish'). From murder-suicides like Jonestown and Heaven's Gate to MLMs to fitness groups like Soul Cycle, the spectrum is wide, but Montell convincing demonstrates on how all these groups employ similar rhetorical strats to recruit people.
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Murder, Religious bigotry, Racism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Antisemitism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Addiction
Minor: Adult/minor relationship