Review by BCSTATEN -- The Cult Next Door
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BCSTATEN
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- Latest Review: The Cult Next Door by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone
Review by BCSTATEN -- The Cult Next Door
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Cult Next Door" by Elizabeth R. Burchard, Judith L. Carlone.]
I give this book a perfect rating: 4 out of 4 stars.
Elizabeth Burchard, LSW, and Judith Carlone have collaborated to produce a riveting memoir of a young woman's experience growing up in and eventually exiting an American cult. Writing from personal experience informed by professional understanding, the voice of "Liz" holds authority on this topic as well as she holds the reader's attention. Her insight into a cult leader's mind, and arguably more important, a cult follower, is valuable beyond measure. The Cult Next Door recalls in detail the methods of mind-control and the clever evasion of illegal activity committed by "George," the cult leader in a fascinating warning against religious cult behavior.
What I like most about this book is the author's humility and willingness for self-exposure. This book is a vulnerable admission of being manipulated, coerced, and controlled in unspeakable ways, and yet, the authors hold nothing back. Vivid descriptions of sexual abuse, physical abuse, spiritual abuse, and financial abuse experienced by the author and some of the more outlandish beliefs adopted by the author provide the reader with rare insight into the mindset of a cult that similar memoirs with more reserve have failed to provide. At her own expense, Burchard has given us a treasure trove of intelligence on George Sharkman's Manhattan Cult.
However, I liked least about this book due to the lack of warning before these vivid descriptions of abuse. The author's writing style spares no details in uncovering the sexual assault, physical abuse, and other traumatic experiences she underwent while inside the cult. A reader who knows very little about cults or whose frame of reference for cult activity does not include these types of trauma could be triggered by these descriptions in ways that passing references to them would not. The descriptions are valuable because they explain how cunning and deceptive cult leaders and abusers can be. However, a trigger warning in the forward may have been beneficial. The author provides a list of resources for information and support for any reader who may find that they themselves are in a cult. However, it would have been beneficial for the author, a Licensed Social Worker, to include a list of resources for the types of abuse (particularly the sexual abuse) she describes in the book if the descriptions trigger a reader. If the author were not a social worker, I would not have this expectation, but being familiar with the NASW code of ethics, I was disappointed to find this omission.
One of the most compelling aspects of this memoir is the recollection of how the author, a scientist, an intellectual who values facts and reason, can be persuaded against her own convictions. This is a testament to how powerful the cult mentality can be and works to dispel one of the myths regarding cults: intelligent people cannot be dragged into them.
I would truly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about cults, anyone who thinks one of their loved ones may be in a cult, anyone who thinks they themselves may be in a cult, or anyone who has left a toxic environment and thinks they may have survived a cult. While this book is not a manual or exhaustive definition of cult behavior, it is an authentic reflection of experiences familiar to cult survivors. It may serve as a helpful comparison to help the reader distinguish between what is a normal group or religious circle and what is actually cult behavior.
I gave this book a 4 out of 4 rating because it is a stellar depiction of a young woman's traumatic experience under a charismatic cult leader and her journey to deliverance and deprogramming. It is fascinating as a story and informative as a work of nonfiction. This is, by far, the most interesting memoir I have ever read. I highly recommend this book.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
I give this book a perfect rating: 4 out of 4 stars.
Elizabeth Burchard, LSW, and Judith Carlone have collaborated to produce a riveting memoir of a young woman's experience growing up in and eventually exiting an American cult. Writing from personal experience informed by professional understanding, the voice of "Liz" holds authority on this topic as well as she holds the reader's attention. Her insight into a cult leader's mind, and arguably more important, a cult follower, is valuable beyond measure. The Cult Next Door recalls in detail the methods of mind-control and the clever evasion of illegal activity committed by "George," the cult leader in a fascinating warning against religious cult behavior.
What I like most about this book is the author's humility and willingness for self-exposure. This book is a vulnerable admission of being manipulated, coerced, and controlled in unspeakable ways, and yet, the authors hold nothing back. Vivid descriptions of sexual abuse, physical abuse, spiritual abuse, and financial abuse experienced by the author and some of the more outlandish beliefs adopted by the author provide the reader with rare insight into the mindset of a cult that similar memoirs with more reserve have failed to provide. At her own expense, Burchard has given us a treasure trove of intelligence on George Sharkman's Manhattan Cult.
However, I liked least about this book due to the lack of warning before these vivid descriptions of abuse. The author's writing style spares no details in uncovering the sexual assault, physical abuse, and other traumatic experiences she underwent while inside the cult. A reader who knows very little about cults or whose frame of reference for cult activity does not include these types of trauma could be triggered by these descriptions in ways that passing references to them would not. The descriptions are valuable because they explain how cunning and deceptive cult leaders and abusers can be. However, a trigger warning in the forward may have been beneficial. The author provides a list of resources for information and support for any reader who may find that they themselves are in a cult. However, it would have been beneficial for the author, a Licensed Social Worker, to include a list of resources for the types of abuse (particularly the sexual abuse) she describes in the book if the descriptions trigger a reader. If the author were not a social worker, I would not have this expectation, but being familiar with the NASW code of ethics, I was disappointed to find this omission.
One of the most compelling aspects of this memoir is the recollection of how the author, a scientist, an intellectual who values facts and reason, can be persuaded against her own convictions. This is a testament to how powerful the cult mentality can be and works to dispel one of the myths regarding cults: intelligent people cannot be dragged into them.
I would truly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about cults, anyone who thinks one of their loved ones may be in a cult, anyone who thinks they themselves may be in a cult, or anyone who has left a toxic environment and thinks they may have survived a cult. While this book is not a manual or exhaustive definition of cult behavior, it is an authentic reflection of experiences familiar to cult survivors. It may serve as a helpful comparison to help the reader distinguish between what is a normal group or religious circle and what is actually cult behavior.
I gave this book a 4 out of 4 rating because it is a stellar depiction of a young woman's traumatic experience under a charismatic cult leader and her journey to deliverance and deprogramming. It is fascinating as a story and informative as a work of nonfiction. This is, by far, the most interesting memoir I have ever read. I highly recommend this book.
******
The Cult Next Door
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
