# I would like to read some good books on cults and cult behavior **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 2, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424 "2015-11-02T15:24:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/1 "2015-11-02T15:24:55Z")
I read Going Clear, Escape, and several other books, but what I would like to read now are books about the mentality of people who get into such things, especially as adults. Can you guys recommend me any good titles? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/2 "2015-11-02T15:30:47Z")
Probably hard to find, but [The Strongest Poison](http://www.amazon.com/The-Strongest-Poison-Survived-Jonestown/dp/1940522161)about Jonestown was fascinating. Not primarily about cult psychology, but certainly gives you a window. When I went to find a link, I see that it’s recently be republished and not hard to find at all. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/3 "2015-11-02T15:31:54Z")
Great! I will request it from the library. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/4 "2015-11-02T15:42:57Z")
[Bob Larson’s New Book of Cults](https://books.google.com/books?id=RAN-AAAAMAAJ&q=dictionary+of++cults+larson&dq=dictionary+of++cults+larson&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAmoVChMIp-jL-InyyAIVxTc-Ch3Migx0) is a good one ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/5 "2015-11-02T15:45:04Z")
_Helter Skelter_ by Vincent Bugliosi is not a general book on the topic but goes into great detail about the Manson Family. ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/6 "2015-11-02T16:11:58Z")
I have not read it myself, but my wife was deeply informed (I can’t say “enjoyed”) reading _[Raven](http://www.amazon.com/Raven-Untold-Story-Jones-People/dp/1585426784/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446480627&sr=8-1&keywords=jonestown+raven)_, which is also about Jim Jones. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/7 "2015-11-02T16:36:28Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > [Bob Larson’s New Book of Cults](https://books.google.com/books?id=RAN-AAAAMAAJ&q=dictionary+of++cults+larson&dq=dictionary+of++cults+larson&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAmoVChMIp-jL-InyyAIVxTc-Ch3Migx0) is a good one I don’t know anything about that book, but I have heard the author. He used to claim things like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were a threat to Christianity. He’s as nutty as any cult. ---
**Author:** ![NeonMadman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58f4c7/32.png) [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/8 "2015-11-02T18:27:18Z")
[http://www.amazon.com/Combating-Cult-Mind-Control-Best-selling/dp/0967068827/ref=sr\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446488754&sr=8-1&keywords=combatting+cult+mind+control](http://www.amazon.com/Combating-Cult-Mind-Control-Best-selling/dp/0967068827/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446488754&sr=8-1&keywords=combatting+cult+mind+control) [http://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Faith-Stephen-Arterburn/dp/0877888256/ref=sr\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446488816&sr=8-1&keywords=toxic+faith](http://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Faith-Stephen-Arterburn/dp/0877888256/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446488816&sr=8-1&keywords=toxic+faith) _Combatting Cult Mind Control_ and _Toxic Faith_ sound to me like what you might be looking for. Links above. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/9 "2015-11-02T18:33:37Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > I don’t know anything about that book, but I have heard the author. He used to claim things like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were a threat to Christianity. He’s as nutty as any cult. I saw a book like that once. I have a friend involved in the ridiculous cult called Eckankar. As stupid as it is it seems to be a mainly harmless religious belief. The book I saw listed as a dangerous cult because the author couldn’t find any information about it. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/10 "2015-11-02T19:11:54Z")
_Under the Banner of Heaven_ by Jon Krakauer is a fascinating exploration of breakaway polygamist Mormon fundamentalism today, focusing on a notorious inter-family murder case. I highly recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/11 "2015-11-02T21:11:24Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > [Bob Larson’s New Book of Cults](https://books.google.com/books?id=RAN-AAAAMAAJ&q=dictionary+of++cults+larson&dq=dictionary+of++cults+larson&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAmoVChMIp-jL-InyyAIVxTc-Ch3Migx0) is a good one > [@](#): > > During the late 1980s and into the 1990s, Bob Larson repeatedly debated, interviewed, and confronted Satanists, during the period known as the Satanic panic No. > [@](#): > > In 2013 Vice magazine taped a video of Larson’s visit in several small towns in Ukraine where he performed exorcisms together with three young women - his 18-year-old daughter Brynne Larson and her friends Tess and Savannah Sherkenback (18 and 21 respectively, collectively known as The Teenage Exorcists).[9] Fuck, no! He sounds crazier than a bughouse. But, thank you for the suggestion! 🙂 I will check out the other ones. I am really looking for stuff like what **NeonMadman** recommends, but that doesn’t mean I will turn down others. ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/12 "2015-11-02T21:45:51Z")
[Snapping](http://www.amazon.com/Snapping-Americas-Epidemic-Personality-Edition/dp/0964765004). It’s been a while, but I still remember the book, so it made a good impression on me. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/13 "2015-11-05T19:17:46Z")
[Monkey on a Stick: Murder, Madness, and the Hare Krishnas](http://www.amazon.com/Monkey-Stick-Murder-Madness-Krishnas/dp/0151620865) is an excellent, well-researched book on the Krishnas. It covers the movement from it’s beginnings and continues through the events after the founder, Srila Prabhupada, died. It includes lots of interviews with people who detail their initial attraction to and eventual disillusionment with the Krishnas. ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/14 "2015-11-05T22:34:58Z")
While not a cult, John Krakaur’s [Under the Banner of Heave](http://www.amazon.com/Under-Banner-Heaven-Story-Violent/dp/1400032806/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446762906&sr=8-1&keywords=under+the+banner+of+heaven)n is a very interesting look into Mormonism. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/15 "2015-11-06T02:05:00Z")
> [@Sassy](#): > > [Snapping](http://www.amazon.com/Snapping-Americas-Epidemic-Personality-Edition/dp/0964765004). It’s been a while, but I still remember the book, so it made a good impression on me. Seconded on _Snapping_. I can also recommend their book _Holy Terror: The Fundamentalist War on America’s Freedoms in Religion, Politics, and Our Private Lives_. In the introduction, they say that wrote about fundamentalist Christianity because _Snapping_ made them realize that that there was no bright line between a “cult” and the (then) new fundamentalism. It’s been at least 20 years since I read it, but I can still recall a fundamentalist, who had read nothing but the Bible for years, came across a copy of the _Declaration of Independence_, that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” was more true than any of the hundreds of sermons she had heard. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/16 "2015-11-06T02:13:40Z")
Bob Larson was at the height of his fame (infamy?) when he did this. The trip was paid for by the magazine and the record company. > **[SPIN](https://books.google.com/books?id=8Yh9p0GCKsEC&pg=PA27&lpg=PA27&dq=bob%2Blarson%2Bslayer&source=bl&ots=1uDNz83X5_&sig=mXxz7iWn5l8yFiCmzzUutxJ_Tpk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDIQ6AEwBmoVChMI7KGn0Nz6yAIVyG0eCh0b6Ac_#v=onepage&q=bob%20larson%20slayer&f=false)** > > From the concert stage to the dressing room, from the recording studio to the digital realm, SPIN surveys the modern musical landscape and the culture around it with authoritative reporting, provocative interviews, and a discerning critical ear. ... He went down in flames a few years later. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/17 "2015-11-06T02:23:40Z")
[_Moon Webs: Journey into the Mind of a Cult_](http://www.amazon.com/Moonwebs-Journey-into-Mind-Cult/dp/0919890938) by Josh Freed is excellent. It is non-fiction, but reads like a novel. The cult in question is the Moonies, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![LegendHasit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/legendhasit/32/8246_2.png) [@LegendHasit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LegendHasit)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/18 "2015-11-06T12:26:56Z")
Anaamika, When I walked away from the JWs after 25 years, I found Margaret Singers books very helpful in addition to Neonmadman’s suggestions. Also, ICSA offers some free titles from various authors if you fill out a 1-minute survey. Look under the free tab for more information. > **[Cult Info Since 1979](https://www.icsahome.com/)** > > Become a Member of ICSA - Donate or Renew Membership ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/19 "2015-11-06T15:25:31Z")
Lawrence Wright’s _Going Clear_ is a riveting examination of Scientology, and Leah Remini’s new book looks awesome as well. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424/20 "2015-11-06T16:22:52Z")
“The Road to Xenu” is available free to read on the Internet. It’s an account of a journey through Scientology, really several people’s experiences mashed together into one narrator. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-would-like-to-read-some-good-books-on-cults-and-cult-behavior/736424.md?page=2)