Review by Wandamae331 -- The Cult Next Door
Posted: 03 Oct 2020, 17:47
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Cult Next Door" by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone.]
The Cult Next Door is the memoir of Elizabeth R. Burchard written by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carolone. Elizabeth starts by remembering her childhood and how her mother was in search for something more. Remembering how her mother went from one doctrine to another, Elizabeth sets the tone for her own search for understanding her life.
Elizabeth, Liz, is an intellectual woman who was her high school’s valedictorian, college graduate, and successful business entrepreneur. Liz still fell prey to a conniving man who took advantage of her through the exploitation of her insecurities. Elizabeth found herself giving her money, energy, and time to a malevolent man who, through cunning, intimidation, and even physical force; imposed his far-fetched life doctrines onto Elizabeth. The Cult Next Door walks us through over 20 years of Elizabeth’s life.
I enjoyed reading this book because it gave an honest, heartfelt writing of Elizabeth’s journey into the cult. Elizabeth did not intend to join a cult. In fact, it is well into her adult years that she even starts to question whether or not her belief system is skewed. Elizabeth simply found herself searching for answers. She went to a doctor’s office searching for help and ended up finding George Enoch Sharkman. This unfortunate meeting set the stage and Elizabeth’s early adult years would change her life. Reading this memoir, I was enlightened to how easy it can be to lose oneself to self-doubt and overwhelmed by someone else’s will.
My favorite part of the book is when Elizabeth garners enough courage to give George a drastically reduced schedule that effectively got her excommunicated from the group. Elizabeth did not know that by taking this one step her life would be turned upside down. This single index card was the catalyst to break George’s stronghold.
I give this book a 4 out of 4 stars . This book exposes Elizabeth’s vulnerability and allows the reader to gain an inside look into her life. It is extremely well written and does not contain any errors.
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The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Cult Next Door is the memoir of Elizabeth R. Burchard written by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carolone. Elizabeth starts by remembering her childhood and how her mother was in search for something more. Remembering how her mother went from one doctrine to another, Elizabeth sets the tone for her own search for understanding her life.
Elizabeth, Liz, is an intellectual woman who was her high school’s valedictorian, college graduate, and successful business entrepreneur. Liz still fell prey to a conniving man who took advantage of her through the exploitation of her insecurities. Elizabeth found herself giving her money, energy, and time to a malevolent man who, through cunning, intimidation, and even physical force; imposed his far-fetched life doctrines onto Elizabeth. The Cult Next Door walks us through over 20 years of Elizabeth’s life.
I enjoyed reading this book because it gave an honest, heartfelt writing of Elizabeth’s journey into the cult. Elizabeth did not intend to join a cult. In fact, it is well into her adult years that she even starts to question whether or not her belief system is skewed. Elizabeth simply found herself searching for answers. She went to a doctor’s office searching for help and ended up finding George Enoch Sharkman. This unfortunate meeting set the stage and Elizabeth’s early adult years would change her life. Reading this memoir, I was enlightened to how easy it can be to lose oneself to self-doubt and overwhelmed by someone else’s will.
My favorite part of the book is when Elizabeth garners enough courage to give George a drastically reduced schedule that effectively got her excommunicated from the group. Elizabeth did not know that by taking this one step her life would be turned upside down. This single index card was the catalyst to break George’s stronghold.
I give this book a 4 out of 4 stars . This book exposes Elizabeth’s vulnerability and allows the reader to gain an inside look into her life. It is extremely well written and does not contain any errors.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon