Review by samiam013 -- The Cult Next Door

samiam013 · Post by **samiam013** » 06 Aug 2018, 01:14

[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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In The Cult Next Door Elizabeth Rachael Burchard admirably describes her firsthand experiences with being lured into an elaborate cult, spending the next twenty unforgettable years brainwashed and abused, and her intense fight to extricate herself as well as her struggle with learning to live again.

Elizabeth naturally begins with a bit of factual background into her chaotic childhood. Her parent's divorce, when she is only three years old, commits her to reside with a mother who is extremely mentally and emotionally abusive. Liz learns to walk on eggshells around her mother, Rachael, due to being punished for anything and everything she does on a routine basis. Rachael goes so far as to tell her young daughter “You make me sick” which sickens me to even read on the pages of this book. Her only happiness invariably comes from her devoted father. Edward Marshall Burchard is undoubtedly the only adult who has repeatedly shown Liz unconditional love and praise, and she knows in her heart that she sincerely wants to be just like him when she grows up. Liz learns that her father dies instantly of congestive heart failure shortly before her 12th birthday. This news causes Liz’s world as she perceives it to come crashing down, as the one person she has felt truly loved and adored by is taken from her.

Liz’s cruel mother embarks on an extraordinary journey of willingly paying countless thousands of dollars to influential people and extensive programs promising dramatic results typically incorporating the widespread use of vitamins, chiropractic services, or other outlandish antidotes. During this specific time, she invariably finds George Enoch Sharkman, a supposed Psychologist located in Manhattan. She promptly decides to introduce Liz to the fantastic and charismatic George as soon as possible.

Keep in mind that cult leaders prey on intelligent individuals who are suffering bleak times in life, so the fact that George is a Psychologist is exceptionally convenient in his endeavour in finding his “flock of sheep.” Liz was class valedictorian in her high school, has rightfully earned her BA in Biochemistry, and respectively becomes a remarkably successful entrepreneur. It is undoubtedly Liz’s adverse childhood experiences, losing her beloved father, and learning to live with emotional and psychological abuse that conveniently makes her vulnerable to George’s considerable persuasion. George employs a few tactics to draw Liz under his power. One is assuredly his firsthand knowledge and creative abilities with hypnosis, another is promptly making her feel special and wanted with his appropriate words, and the last is undoubtedly his ability to completely control her mind and thought processes by implementing rewards and prompt punishment.

Liz describes the roller coaster her mind is continually riding as a part of her knows what George is continuously preaching is false while the other part is so in need of the acceptance and inclusion to the “Group.” George is a terribly crafty master at conveying universal knowledge that does make sense, but also including a unique spin to it all which makes him seem as though he is all knowing and supernatural in divine nature. For example, when his “flock” complains about how much money, they are expected to part with to remain in his presence, he uses the well-known phrase “Laws of Reciprocity.” He also discusses the “Female Game” and his own acronym for EGO “edges God out.” The doctrine of the cult leader becomes scripture to his followers, and he becomes their “God.” They are also persuaded to alienate themselves from family and friends, and in many cases, George essentially accomplished this for them in extraordinarily devious and mean-spirited ways.

I genuinely admire Elizabeth for producing this remarkable book to candidly discuss her complicated journey through the genuine horrors of undoubtedly having her conscious mind and thought processes took over. Also, the way she explains how incredibly easy it would be for anyone to fall into the same trap during an emotionally unstable point in life. The profound way she appropriately describes the everyday struggle her capable mind undergoes is brilliantly done. And even after breaking away from the influential group the concentrated effort to recover herself and her own mind was assuredly not a straightforward process.

It cannot be painless to document the horrific occurrences that Liz endured during her twenty years under the influence of the cult, and I maintain the utmost respect for Elizabeth for finding the courage to share her story with us. In reality, each and every one of us could be susceptible to the wiles of a “George” in our own lives at one point or another.

The storyline flows at an excellent pace, and I discovered myself held captivated by the story from page one until the absolute end. I do rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. This is genuinely an effortless read, and I would heartily recommend the book to everyone who is interested in learning more about the inner workings of modern cults and the genuine reality of how anyone you know, including the person next door, could very well be a cult leader or a cult follower. This is a remarkable story to teach many not to judge those that fall under the spell of a cult leader. Elizabeth accomplishes an outstanding job of explaining how these people prey on intelligent individuals who are enduring a difficult time in life.

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The Cult Next Door
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Aan Granados · Post by **Aan Granados** » 30 Oct 2018, 11:05

I agree that one who is undergoing difficulties in life are susceptible to this kind of abuse. I cannot believe that the author stayed with the cult for twenty years?! This looks interesting. Thanks for your great review!