Review by Kareka88 -- The Cult Next Door

[Karencantley1]

A somewhat poignant memoir of the authors battle with depression and the mental manipulation that ensued, from those that were supposed to be helping her. This book gives an interesting insight into how a cult can control and influence society’s most vulnerable.

[Karencantley1]

A somewhat poignant memoir of the authors battle with depression and the mental manipulation that ensued, from those that were supposed to be helping her. This book gives an interesting insight into how a cult can control and influence society’s most vulnerable.

[Vickie Noel]

This is really scary. People are going through a lot of uncanny things, things that should be unheard of. How does one get indoctrinated into a cult just because they're seeking for medical assistance?
The world truly is coming to an end. I do empathize with the author. Although I don't consider myself strong enough to read such a harrowing experience, I can't help but recall a memoir of similar woes, "A piece of cake" by Cupcake Brown and how I'd thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Perhaps, this one would be equally be as captivating, if not more. Thanks for the review.

[Roselights]

The book is good in the sense that it's meant to inspire anyone under the manipulation of someone in higher authority amidst critics or other of his subjects. It's a mind assessment someone must do for herself to free from abusive influence of anyone.

[stanjayjr]

Awesome. I think Elizabeth is getting the real help she deserves. Cults are do damaging I think. Thanks for your amazing review.

[Moddesser Elahi]

I sampled the book on Amazon. Elizabeth R. Burchard has shared her personal life-story. The story is very emotional and also has quite a few painful instances. It has been presented in a very intriguing manner. The story also has a dimension of the cult. You need to have an open mind to thoroughly get involved in this book. Cheers

[Julehart1]

This book seems interesting. Abuse comes in so many different ways. Joining a cult and being manipulated and abused by the leader sounds horrifying. The fact that the author shared her personal story is very brave. I’m sure many could learn a lot from this book. Thanks for your review.

[Shas F]

The story of how a young woman becomes a brainwashed cult member in the heart of New York where liberal and open-minded thinking prevails is stunning to me. The Cult Next Door, a memoir of Elizabeth R. Burchard, written with Judith L. Carlone, details how young Elizabeth's own life becomes the very trap that leads her to the cult of stress reduction therapy technician George Sharkman. Her story also shows how she's going to save herself from the cult, start her healing and rebuild her life. Just looking at the Amazon summary, I expect a shocking story of enslavement, freedom and redemption. I'd also like to see how insidious brainwashing can be.

Having read the first few chapters, I see how Elizabeth becomes vulnerable to somebody like Sharkman. She grows up in the shadow of her mom Rachel's anger, isolation and depression, which leads her to abuse Elizabeth and then expose her to nutrition and therapy quacks in New York. Obviously, Rachel has been suffering from a mental illness that leads her to jump from one questionable therapist to another. Elizabeth's encounter with Sharkman, an angry, articulate and seductive man who knows how to methodically tap into the insecurities of intelligent people like Elizabeth seals the young woman's fate for the next two decades. Sharkman's destruction has an early effect: his words cause the demise of Elizabeth's relationship with her first love, Joe.

For those weighing whether to read the book, read Kareka88's review, which goes to the heart of the matter: That enslavement can happen to intelligent, sophisticated but broken people. Kareka88 writes: "It is a story of a young girl, hoping to receive treatment for depression that turns out to be a nightmare in the hands of a charismatic manipulator." Kareka88 further writes: "No matter your age, financial standing, education, race, gender, religion, culture, background, upbringing, etc., people can become susceptible to the influence of others be it for good or for bad."

Congratulations to Elizabeth and Judith for this book and thanks to OnlineBookClub.org for the Book of the Day

[Ravinder+Kaur]

Quite courageous of Elizabeth to have put her traumatic experiences into a book, so that people learn from her lessons. Thanks for the thorough review.

[CaitlynLynch]

This sounds like a powerful story of how cults aren't necessarily religious, and how someone with enough force of personality can gull even sensible people into believing in them.

[Flowers123]

There is no further truth than this. People can be susceptible to the influence of others, be it good or bad. Especially the so called charismatic leaders. Mental health practitioners are suppose to be most ethical. But this one took advantage of unsuspecting, vulnerable patients. I feel so bad for Elizabeth's plights. Her therapist deserves to be jailed. Thanks for the review.

[Iheanyi joy]

This book talks about a young girl(Elizabeth) who was exposed to the harsh circumstances of life influenced by a therapist George who she actually thought could help her with her physiological issues but turns out to take advantage of her in such a state. It also exposes the negative influence of cult and some of the dangers it predisposes the victims to.. I commend the boldness of the authors (Elizabeth R. Burchard and Judith L. Carlone) for such a wonderful book and you deserve more than 4 stars in the rating of this book. Thanks.. :techiestudyingbrown:

[Valerius]

Aside from the fact that the book is nicely worded. I love the simple and easy descriptions of events and emotions.
I thought it was a mystic book at first, but it has offered me a better understanding of the word cult, and how we unconsciously get into cults with our unflinching admiration for others.
Her childhood viz a viz her accomplishments proves that, one has no excuse for failing or blaming a rough start even though it is a contributing factor.

Great book.