Review by Cazrichmond -- The Cult Next Door
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Caroline Anne Richmond
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Review by Cazrichmond -- The Cult Next Door
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Cult Next Door" by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone.]
The Cult Next Door by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone, is a non-fiction memoir of Elizabeth’s life and her indoctrination into a cult lead by a man who used manipulation and exploitation to groom his vulnerable followers. The story is a harrowing journey showing that anyone could be brainwashed into extreme and strange beliefs, at times in life when we are emotionally unstable.
Elizabeth’s father was a professor of psychology and her mother was a student of his. Her mother, Rachael, decided to leave her father and pursue a divorce when Elizabeth was young. This changed Rachael and she became a different woman. Rachael became aggressive, mean and impulsive, with Elizabeth’s only reprieve being her happy weekends spent with her father.
Elizabeth’s father passed away when she was twelve, which left her with her unstable mother. Rachael dedicated a lot of her time to social workers and alternative therapies, and when Elizabeth went to college, her mother introduced her to George Sharkman, a psychologist claiming to remove stress with the use of a biofeedback machine. Having been shown little affection growing up, Elizabeth gravitated towards George and attended more and more sessions, enamored by his lofty and original ideas. More tragedy occurs in Elizabeth’s life, which serves to bond her even more tightly to George and his small group of dedicated followers. The memoir describes the next two decades of Elizabeth’s life and her unbreakable connection with this group until she finds the courage and support to change her future.
The memoir showed that Intelligence and qualifications had no bearing on how Elizabeth was manipulated into joining this cult. She had a degree in biochemistry and disregarded some of her education to take part in ideas that contradicted it. I was very interested to learn that when a person has minimal love and emotional support, they can become easy prey to such controlling predators. Elizabeth was lonely and desperate for love, and to belong to something, and it was clear to see what sacrifices she made in her life to feel connections in this group. Reading this memoir made me realize how it is not such a great leap, for anyone to be enticed into groups like this to feel a sense of belonging and connection.
I commend the author for being so candid about her experiences. The leader of the cult violated and abused his members and explained it all away as methods to enlighten his students. The memoir shows how people will do anything to please when under such tight control with misplaced beliefs. The author has written about these harrowing experiences with sensitivity, to show the reader how depraved the cult leader was and to emphasize the level of trust the group had. Some of these parts were tough to read, but I think it is very useful to understand the psychology of both the cult leader and the students, as her story could help countless others who could be in a similar situation.
George is an intelligent and charming man and he uses these attributes to coerce his students to be pliable to his every whim, and charges vast amounts of money for the privilege. In parts of the book I couldn’t believe how gullible his followers were, but when I thought of Elizabeth’s unhappy childhood, the losses in her life and her desperation for acceptance and love, it was obvious to see how a sociopathic leader could manipulate these issues. Promises of finding a better existence, being more enlightened and successful than the rest of humanity, must be an attractive prospect when you have found little happiness in life. As a reader, this made me contemplate how people can be manipulated and exploited. The psychology displayed shows that people’s minds can be adapted to a belief that promises tremendous benefits and salvation.
This book fascinated me; I appreciated the candid descriptions of a traumatizing life story. I enjoyed the psychology of the situation and found nothing to dislike about the book. I didn’t find any spelling or grammar mistakes, so I believe it has been exceptionally well edited, so I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. There are some profanities and harrowing and sexual content which may be difficult to digest for more sensitive readers. The book is suitable for adults who enjoy memoirs of difficult and shocking life experiences, and appreciate the reflections on them. Also, it will appeal to those who are interested in the psychology of cults, their leaders, and their followers.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Cult Next Door by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone, is a non-fiction memoir of Elizabeth’s life and her indoctrination into a cult lead by a man who used manipulation and exploitation to groom his vulnerable followers. The story is a harrowing journey showing that anyone could be brainwashed into extreme and strange beliefs, at times in life when we are emotionally unstable.
Elizabeth’s father was a professor of psychology and her mother was a student of his. Her mother, Rachael, decided to leave her father and pursue a divorce when Elizabeth was young. This changed Rachael and she became a different woman. Rachael became aggressive, mean and impulsive, with Elizabeth’s only reprieve being her happy weekends spent with her father.
Elizabeth’s father passed away when she was twelve, which left her with her unstable mother. Rachael dedicated a lot of her time to social workers and alternative therapies, and when Elizabeth went to college, her mother introduced her to George Sharkman, a psychologist claiming to remove stress with the use of a biofeedback machine. Having been shown little affection growing up, Elizabeth gravitated towards George and attended more and more sessions, enamored by his lofty and original ideas. More tragedy occurs in Elizabeth’s life, which serves to bond her even more tightly to George and his small group of dedicated followers. The memoir describes the next two decades of Elizabeth’s life and her unbreakable connection with this group until she finds the courage and support to change her future.
The memoir showed that Intelligence and qualifications had no bearing on how Elizabeth was manipulated into joining this cult. She had a degree in biochemistry and disregarded some of her education to take part in ideas that contradicted it. I was very interested to learn that when a person has minimal love and emotional support, they can become easy prey to such controlling predators. Elizabeth was lonely and desperate for love, and to belong to something, and it was clear to see what sacrifices she made in her life to feel connections in this group. Reading this memoir made me realize how it is not such a great leap, for anyone to be enticed into groups like this to feel a sense of belonging and connection.
I commend the author for being so candid about her experiences. The leader of the cult violated and abused his members and explained it all away as methods to enlighten his students. The memoir shows how people will do anything to please when under such tight control with misplaced beliefs. The author has written about these harrowing experiences with sensitivity, to show the reader how depraved the cult leader was and to emphasize the level of trust the group had. Some of these parts were tough to read, but I think it is very useful to understand the psychology of both the cult leader and the students, as her story could help countless others who could be in a similar situation.
George is an intelligent and charming man and he uses these attributes to coerce his students to be pliable to his every whim, and charges vast amounts of money for the privilege. In parts of the book I couldn’t believe how gullible his followers were, but when I thought of Elizabeth’s unhappy childhood, the losses in her life and her desperation for acceptance and love, it was obvious to see how a sociopathic leader could manipulate these issues. Promises of finding a better existence, being more enlightened and successful than the rest of humanity, must be an attractive prospect when you have found little happiness in life. As a reader, this made me contemplate how people can be manipulated and exploited. The psychology displayed shows that people’s minds can be adapted to a belief that promises tremendous benefits and salvation.
This book fascinated me; I appreciated the candid descriptions of a traumatizing life story. I enjoyed the psychology of the situation and found nothing to dislike about the book. I didn’t find any spelling or grammar mistakes, so I believe it has been exceptionally well edited, so I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. There are some profanities and harrowing and sexual content which may be difficult to digest for more sensitive readers. The book is suitable for adults who enjoy memoirs of difficult and shocking life experiences, and appreciate the reflections on them. Also, it will appeal to those who are interested in the psychology of cults, their leaders, and their followers.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: How to Discover the Authentic Life Story by L. E. Rhoden
