Tony Russo (3)

This might be one of the scariest books I've ever read, and the reason for that is because it actually happened. Dragged Into the Light follows Sherry Shriner and the cult of conspiracy theorists she created down a rabbit hole of insane propaganda which turns out to be an terrifyingly interesting story.

I had heard of Sherry Shriner and the lizard-people cult in the years before her death, as I'm sure many have without directly knowing or caring to know the woman behind it or how deep of a show more mess this seemingly simple and ignorable corner of the internet really turned out to be. The story of Shriner's cult involves murders and suicides, but it's also a really fascinating look at human ideology and how easily people can fall into these things. One woman with a webcam has the ability to start a near-global war and maybe that should scare people more than they realize. The idea of anyone following this for-profit false prophet might seem asinine to most people, but it could and should be argued that every religion is just like this one.

I think this is an absolutely fascinating read with so much more depth than I think even the author expected. I thought it was written very professionally, and while it may be tempting to make fun or insult this cult, I didn't feel like there was ever any intention of that. Instead, I felt a high degree of sympathy for the lives that were ruined as a result of something so bizarre and unnecessary. It's definitely pitiable in that regard, but this was so much deeper of a dive into how a cult like this one could gain so much traction, and how easily controlled and manipulated people can become when they find something in their lives they feel they can latch onto.

This is terrifying because it's real, and while I'm sympathetic to the lives that were lost and ruined as a result, the rabbit hole this story falls into is worth a very thorough examination. Their beliefs aside, the human psyche in regards to these kinds of cults deserves a closer look.

Thanks to Tony Russo and Secant Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review, it was very much appreciated. show less

"Dragged into the Light" is an eye-opening journey into the heart of an online cult, exploring its strange beliefs and the lives it affects. The author delves deep into the world of "truthers," reptilian theories, super soldiers, and the grim realities of life within this digital community.

The book begins by introducing us to the author's own experience of being drawn into the online cult and gradually unravels the layers of deception and manipulation that define its existence. Through show more firsthand accounts and meticulous research, the author sheds light on the inner workings of the cult and the individuals who are both captivated and consumed by its ideology.

What sets this book apart is its accessibility. The author breaks down complex concepts and theories into easily digestible explanations, making it accessible to readers who may not be familiar with the world of online cults or conspiracy theories.

The narrative is both gripping and disturbing, as the author recounts encounters with charismatic leaders, brushes with danger, and the devastating impact of the cult on its members' lives. Yet, amidst the darkness, there are moments of hope and redemption as individuals find the courage to break free from the grip of the cult and reclaim their autonomy.

While some may find the subject matter unsettling, "Dragged into the Light" is ultimately a testament to the power of truth and resilience in the face of deception. It serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of falling prey to extremist ideologies and the importance of critical thinking in the digital age. show less

Ok, this one was a HUGE let down for me. This may just be me, but the tone of this book seemed really aggressive towards its reader, right from the start. The author is going to "drag us [the reader]" into this story (which I know probably was a play on the title, but why drag?), we [the readers] are part of the problem leading to the growth of cults like this, we [the readers] need to get off our privileged high horses to understand how people get drawn into MLM's etc. There is a lot of show more language like that throughout the book. And while I understand (I think) the underlying points of each of the statements, which is that anyone at any given time, under the right circumstances can be enticed to enter a cult and that just dismissing people as crazy creates the power vacuum for these type of things to grow, the tone overall was off-putting. Additionally, I feel like the book needed more research. For example the author said we will "have to take [Sherri's] word" in regards to her graduation and I feel some digging would have revealed the truth or it could have explained why we had to take her work (was there a fire that destroyed records?). Additionally, there really isn't much detail as to why Kelly or Stephen was drawn into Sherri's belief system. What was so appealing about it? There was only conjecture, but no supporting evidence to back that conjecture up. I will say that I felt I feel like the author's explanation of shock (that your fundamental beliefs don't hold up ei. the world trade center event disproved that America was impervious to attack) and depression (and feelings of loneliness and isolation) can contribute to putting a person in the space to be venerable enough to be a target for a cult were spot on. I just (as mentioned before) would have liked more support to illustrate just how depressed Kelly was (more actual quotes from her diary illuminating her mental distress in regards to isolation) and more to illustrate just how hard Stephen was hit by 9-11, did he have a blog post about it etc.
TL;DR - This was just disappointing. It felt aggressive in tone towards the very readers it would supposedly want to draw in and it felt incomplete due to a lack of supporting documentation to the conclusions the author presented.
PS. I really do think this might benefit from a different narrator. show less

A dive into the underbelly of the internet where conspiracy theories and alternative facts create their own reality. The book was fast paced, but lacked the kind of authoritative voice - psychologists, religious experts, witnesses - who could have elevated the reporting into the exploration of the zeitgeist I was hoping for. Read by the author, it would have benefited from a more dynamic reading, maybe even a couple of performers who could alternate parts.