Terror, Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems

I always found cults fascinating, for various reasons, but mostly because often looking at them from the outside it is hard to understand why people stay in a cult even if it is counter productive to their own health and well being.

Stein does a pretty good job though in explaining the dynamics at play here. Something she experienced herself when she was in a cult.

I think, in the context of QAnon etc. understanding why and how people believe in cults is important, especially if you want to try and help them get out of it.

The book won't be having all the answers, but it will at least have you understand the dynamics better.

Anyone else notice that this book is tagged under “cult classics?” Not going to make a comment on that.
After reading multiple true crime books focused on cults, it is hard not to see all of the red flags beforehand and think “how could this happen?”
This book aims to answer this question, and I believe it does very well. There is no quality that makes a person more susceptible to joining a cult; it could be anyone because these leaders are experts on manipulation. This was pleasantly insightful with lots of science and real-life examples to back up the facts. I learned a lot but the subject matter is heavy so I recommend reading in different sittings. 4 stars of “the world is a hellacious place”

Really a 3.5!