It's just mind-blowing to know that these cults are still out there and presently operating. I was so disgusted with the way women were treated and the children beaten into submission while the men and "elite" members were given a pass. I'm glad that family finally escaped such a horrific life. I hope that her story can bring awareness to those who need it. ( )

Yet another memoir by an ex-member of a religious cult, Tamara Mathieu's ALL WHO BELIEVED gives a detailed and winceworthy account of her years in the Twelve Tribes (aka TT). In 2000, a recent college graduate, newly married with a baby, Mathieu is disillusioned with the usual rat race routine of work, child care, housework and empty nights of boring tv, so she talks her husband into chucking it all and joining the closed religious community of the Twelve Tribes. Fourteen years and three more children later, the grinding drudgery, imposed poverty, oppressive rules and hidden hypocrisy of their life forces her to recognize the reality that this is a CULT that is crushing the life out of her, and her family flees back to the outside world. The real mystery here is why it took them so long. Brainwashing and fear were the tools that TT employed. Homeschooling discouraged reading almost everything. Children were systematically disciplined with spankings and canings from an early age, and questions and creativity were stifled. Women were to be absolutely submissive to not just their husbands, but to all men. Shaming, shunning and public confessions were common for any and all 'transgressions,' large or small. Close friendships between women or between children was discouraged. And yet the community elders and leaders enjoyed special privileges and freedoms.

This is a good book, honest and articulate, from a woman far too intelligent for such a life. I was reminded of another similar memoir I read not long ago, about another cult, one which was far worse in that it also included rampant sexual abuse by pedophile elders - Danielle Mestyanek Young's UNCULTURED. Mathieu apparently encountered nothing like this in her years in the TT, although the mandated subjugation of women was bad enough in itself.

Cults and tribes like these will always be around. In fact, most organized religions employ many of the same methods of brainwashing and fear described here. It brought back my own Catholic childhood with its memorized questions and answers of the Baltimore Catechism and the rituals of weekly confessions. Much to think about here. I'm happy for the author that she and her family escaped. Very highly recommended.

- Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, REED CITY BOY ( )

I was not aware of the Twelve Tribes cult prior to receiving this book. Reading this memoir, Tamara makes it more easily understandable why some are drawn to groups like these, and how difficult it is to extricate oneself. The writing is easily understood. I imagine writing this memoir as difficult and I hope it was also an exercise in healing for Tamara. ( )

Very detailed description of the 14 years the author , her husband and their children lived in the Twelve Tribes cult. Hard to understand the power of cults to brainwash, control people., Hopefully her memoir can help some others break away from dangerous cults. ( )

Religious cults have been around for years and draw in new members by making them feel welcome and wanted. Prospective members, including Tamara Mathieu and her husband become convinced that they want to be part of this life and join the Twelve Tribes.

Only Tamara finds that life on the inside is not the same as she envisioned after making multiple visits. She provides her readers with an in-depth and honest look at life inside the group. Some of it is horrifying. The reality of life as a full member of the cult is very different than the promises she fell for before joining.

This is not a glossed over and pretty story but is one that needs to be told. Although I do not hear about cults as much now as I did years ago, this book reminded me that they are still out there.

Thank you to Rootstock Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of All Who Believed: A Memoir of Life in the Twelve Tribes. No promise was requested or made of a positive review, but I honestly feel that this is a story worth reading. ( )