Review by Book Bear -- The Cult Next Door
Posted: 28 Jul 2018, 07:34
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Cult Next Door" by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone.]
4 out of 4 stars
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The Cult Next Door: A Manhatten Memoir by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone is a non-fiction novel detailing Elizabeth Burchard's involvement in a cult movement lead by George Sharkman. After attending a therapy session to reduce stress, this 17-year-old college student became part of a small band of zealous followers of a type of New Age doctrine. The book takes the reader on a journey, covering many years, describing the way she was manipulated into supporting a cult that promised glory and enlightenment. The first half of the book is written by Elizabeth. Judith adds her perspective in the second part and is integral to the conclusion of the narrative.
This is a fascinating and comprehensive insight into how people become totally immersed in a cult. One of the most surprising points for me was the fact that this group was driven by an ordinary man with a wife and two children. The book title, The Cult Next Door, is appropriate since the cult leader was a seemingly ordinary neighbour, husband and father of two.
I was confused and bewildered as to why intelligent and well-educated people would hand control of their lives over to one person in this manner. However, it became abundantly clear, as the book progressed, that George Sharkman was extremely clever and manipulative. He appeared to understand the human condition and its many failings. He was willing to take advantage of these to fully satisfy his own lust for money and sexual gratification.
This book was extraordinarily detailed in the descriptions of group interactions including the way cult members were made to feel like they belonged to an inner clique and were ostracised if they did not comply to Mr Sharkman's orders. Group members became heavily involved in self-policing, thus reinforcing the word of the leader. It reminded me of the very effective use of ex-communication practised by Jehovah's Witnesses.
Throughout most of the book I wanted to feel empathy for Elizabeth but, instead, I felt increasingly anxious for her. I also felt angry with her poor life choices. I had to continually remind myself that mind control, involving sophisticated programming techniques, is a very powerful tool which can isolate a person so that the cult becomes the centre of their lives. It was not Elizabeth that I should be angry with but the cult leader himself.
Elizabeth and Judith should be applauded for writing such an informative book on such an important subject. The Cult Next Door contains a great deal of appalling detail, such as how Mr Sharkman forced people into poverty so that they barely had enough to eat. Evidence like this, which is written over a number of years, is an incredibly persuasive and valuable tool. I found this a thoroughly engrossing book and would recommend it to anyone involved in any type of organised religion. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. Those who have an interest in cults, religion, psychology and true life stories would find this book interesting. Warning: this book contains physical violence, sexual abuse and animal abuse.
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The Cult Next Door
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4 out of 4 stars
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The Cult Next Door: A Manhatten Memoir by Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone is a non-fiction novel detailing Elizabeth Burchard's involvement in a cult movement lead by George Sharkman. After attending a therapy session to reduce stress, this 17-year-old college student became part of a small band of zealous followers of a type of New Age doctrine. The book takes the reader on a journey, covering many years, describing the way she was manipulated into supporting a cult that promised glory and enlightenment. The first half of the book is written by Elizabeth. Judith adds her perspective in the second part and is integral to the conclusion of the narrative.
This is a fascinating and comprehensive insight into how people become totally immersed in a cult. One of the most surprising points for me was the fact that this group was driven by an ordinary man with a wife and two children. The book title, The Cult Next Door, is appropriate since the cult leader was a seemingly ordinary neighbour, husband and father of two.
I was confused and bewildered as to why intelligent and well-educated people would hand control of their lives over to one person in this manner. However, it became abundantly clear, as the book progressed, that George Sharkman was extremely clever and manipulative. He appeared to understand the human condition and its many failings. He was willing to take advantage of these to fully satisfy his own lust for money and sexual gratification.
This book was extraordinarily detailed in the descriptions of group interactions including the way cult members were made to feel like they belonged to an inner clique and were ostracised if they did not comply to Mr Sharkman's orders. Group members became heavily involved in self-policing, thus reinforcing the word of the leader. It reminded me of the very effective use of ex-communication practised by Jehovah's Witnesses.
Throughout most of the book I wanted to feel empathy for Elizabeth but, instead, I felt increasingly anxious for her. I also felt angry with her poor life choices. I had to continually remind myself that mind control, involving sophisticated programming techniques, is a very powerful tool which can isolate a person so that the cult becomes the centre of their lives. It was not Elizabeth that I should be angry with but the cult leader himself.
Elizabeth and Judith should be applauded for writing such an informative book on such an important subject. The Cult Next Door contains a great deal of appalling detail, such as how Mr Sharkman forced people into poverty so that they barely had enough to eat. Evidence like this, which is written over a number of years, is an incredibly persuasive and valuable tool. I found this a thoroughly engrossing book and would recommend it to anyone involved in any type of organised religion. I give this book 4 out of 4 stars. Those who have an interest in cults, religion, psychology and true life stories would find this book interesting. Warning: this book contains physical violence, sexual abuse and animal abuse.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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