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[Following is a volunteer review of "The Cult Next Door" by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone.]

The Cult Next Door: A Manhattan Memoir by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone is a terrifying look into the world of a manipulative and corrupt cult. Growing up in a split household, Elizabeth had a father that adored her and a narcissistic abusive mother. Her mother was easily influenced which invited in the evil that would last decades.

After Elizabeth's father died her mother, Rachel, obsessed over living healthy through guru teachings and natural remedies spending thousands of dollars at a time changing methods over and over. During Liz's high school years, both Liz and her mother started therapy until her mother fell for the new method of Biofeedback therapy taught by George Sharkman.

George, a very charming, charismatic, and professional manipulator, introduced a mixture of teachings that changed to benefit him. He wanted all to believe that he was above everyone with his energy that only he could provide. Taking advantage of his followers, he was able to take a small fortune from them all by charging per hour fees and then requiring they spend outrages amounts of time with him to show their devotion.

I myself couldn't read this without getting angry at how ignorant I thought these people were. Who does that? Or who spends that? Or how can they possibly believe this man? One man took over their mind, body, and soul. George was able to make himself the center of their universe, while still having his own family and affairs on the side.

Not only was he able to mentally, physically, and emotionally abuse them but he sexually abused them. Everything they did was with the mentality that it was to please George. In the end, anything that benefited them came from being a devoted servant of his divine energy, or if it failed, they didn't believe in his power.

Elizabeth finally, with the help of Judith, was able to see George for what he was. He was a monster manipulating weak and defenseless people that were searching for help. Unfortunately, she can't save everyone. There were many times that my heart ached for Liz when many opportunities for her to leave this poisonous environment came up and she didn't take them. It tore me apart when she didn't have the support and love of her mother making her feel as though this was the only way. Elizabeth was able to capture how some of the member's family reacted when introduced to this madness leaving with a sick feeling wondering how their loved one could truly believe George.

There wasn't anything I disliked, but there were many points that I loved. I appreciate the view of Elizabeth showing me how easy a person looking for acceptance and love can fall so quickly for a cult. I really liked the part where she finally finds her voice and the strength to stand up to George and took bach charge of her life.

I give this book a 4 out of 4 stars as I found it to be professionally edited. There were a couple of editing mistakes which in no way deterred me from my reading. In fact, I didn't want to put the book down once I started. I recommend this book for teens through adults as teens would be an easier target for manipulation and could give them an idea of how a person ends up in a cult. This book overall was a heart-wrenching, gut pulling, emotional rollercoaster as Elizebeth tell us her story.

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The Cult Next Door
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I read this book and asked some of the same questions. It was sad to learn how easily people were brought into this cult. Elizabeth had a difficult time with her mother influencing her along with the cult leader. I enjoyed your review on this book. Well done!

This sounds like an eye-opener. It's almost painful to see how easy it is to manipulate people when they are in their weakest frame of mind. Thanks for the detailed review. I enjoyed reading it.

This sounds like quite an intense book. What's scary is that it is based on a true story. It's sad how cults can manipulate themselves into people's lives. Thank you for the review!

The perspective that you used in reviewing the book was quite on the safe ground, though its a great review I think you missed the point that the "cult" is only the representation of all the things that you might result in when your at your lowest, all fragile and vulnerable, while the character of "George" is also someone that represents anyone that will try to take advantage of you when your at your weakest point.

What I'm trying to say here is that when people use the specific word "cult" some usually take it literally and this is where people start to say that its just a book a work of fiction, Elizabeth's situation can be applied to anyone who is struggling about family issues, abuse and acceptance. So per saying that all those things can only result to a person joining a cult is wrong but instead everything that a person might be tempted to do when they're at their lowest point. I just want to add this though

kdstrack wrote: ↑06 Jun 2019, 13:34 I read this book and asked some of the same questions. It was sad to learn how easily people were brought into this cult. Elizabeth had a difficult time with her mother influencing her along with the cult leader. I enjoyed your review on this book. Well done!

I believe had it not been for Elizabeth wanting to please her mother and do as she said her life would have turned out completely different. Thanks for your thoughts.

Ekta Kumari wrote: ↑06 Jun 2019, 17:27 This sounds like an eye-opener. It's almost painful to see how easy it is to manipulate people when they are in their weakest frame of mind. Thanks for the detailed review. I enjoyed reading it.

Your right it’s very painful to see all these people giving everything and believing in a person intentionally taking everything from them. Thank you for your thoughts.

ayemi_chan wrote: ↑06 Jun 2019, 18:39 What I'm trying to say here is that when people use the specific word "cult" some usually take it literally and this is where people start to say that its just a book a work of fiction, Elizabeth's situation can be applied to anyone who is struggling about family issues, abuse and acceptance. So per saying that all those things can only result to a person joining a cult is wrong but instead everything that a person might be tempted to do when they're at their lowest point. I just want to add this though

You are right, people are taken advantage of all the time at there weakest by others and not in the magnitude as what George was doing or bigger. In no way do I believe you have to join a cult in order to experience what Elizabeth experiences. There are many out there who can relate without having been in a cult. People do things at their lowest that would never have been done had they been in the right frame of mind. Thanks for pointing that out. I appreciate your reply.

There's a Parcast podcast called, well, Cults that actually dives into the psychology of cults and cult leaders. This reminds me of that. Elizabeth's struggle is one I've heard and read about over and over again, but I still want to read it. Thank you.

Thanks I’ll definitely have to check that out.

Sounds like a captivating book. I should give it a try.
Nice review!

Reading your review made me angry at Elizabeth all over again. This was both a terrible and a great book. I asked all the same questions that you did and also yelled at her to quit being so stupid. Good Review!

I've been thinking about taking this book for review. It does sound like one I would find interesting as the whys and wherefores of cults and mental manipulation are, for some reason, fascinating to me. Reading your review has made me realize that I, too, would probably be angry and almost disgusted with how the cult members were being deceived. I still don't know if I want to review it, but at least I have more insight now! Thanks!

Wow, what a scary story, sadly true that finding yourself in a cult is easyer done then thought.

Growing up my family almost fell into the same trap and only by the help of God did we escape together.

Thank you for your well written reveiw.

Kelyn wrote: ↑06 Sep 2019, 15:41 I've been thinking about taking this book for review. It does sound like one I would find interesting as the whys and wherefores of cults and mental manipulation are, for some reason, fascinating to me. Reading your review has made me realize that I, too, wouof probably be angry and almost disgusted with how the cult members were being deceived. I still don't know if I want to review it, but at least I have more insight now! Thanks!

Even though reading it made me have these negative feelings I would recommend reading it. I believe we need to be informed of what goes around and the only way to know is by hearing and reading what others have been through to Ben properly educated and pass on the information to others. It really is a good read.