Secret Societies and Crazy Cults

by Jonathan J. Moore

An eye-opening history of the most dangerous secret organizations

Secret Societies and Crazy Cults takes readers on a dark journey into the mysterious worlds of some of history’s most dangerous and secretive groups. From religious sects eagerly awaiting the end of the world to modern-day criminal organizations living outside the law, this book sheds some light on the groups who don’t want to be seen.

What is it that has driven humans to gather in secret since the dawn of time, to hide their labors from their fellow man? This book goes all the way back to the Iron Age to find out, charting a violent history full of human sacrifices, political killings, zealous priests, and mystic prophets. From underground orders to frenzied death-cults, all kinds of secret organizations are found within, be they on the fringes of society or at the very heart of power. Richly illustrated and full of shocking surprises, this book may make you reassess just what goes on in the shadows.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Religion, True Crime

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 2018

About the author

Jonathan Moore was born in 1964 and attended University where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree, with majors in History and English. In a career involving twenty years as a history teacher as well as running several successful businesses, Jonathan has been a voracious reader of all periods of History. In pursuit of his studies Jonathan has travelled extensively and enjoys war gaming and military re-enacting. He also enjoys True Crime and has written several books on the subject.

Reviews

[Avery Delany · Rating 3 out of 5]

content notices for: pictures of dead bodies including the Jonestown mass suicide; detailed descriptions of various forms of torture, abuse, murder and suicide.

Sounds a bit creepy to say it considering a lot of it is about really grizzly deaths & suicides but this was an easy, enjoyable book to read with lots of interesting stories ranging from suicide & murder cults to ancient & modern secret societies. Discusses lots of the well known cults and socities as well as some smaller more obscure ones.

Very much a popular history book - doesn't cite any sources and often discusses things in a very voyeuristic manner - so not a book to pick up if you want in depth or academic knowledge on the subject, but good for a general overview and leisurely reading.

Check out my blog for more reviews!

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Książka to dobre wprowadzenie do różnych kultów, bractw i sekt. Na pewno nie znajdziecie tu pogłębionej analizy, czy wnikliwych historii. Ale jeśli interesuje Was zdobycie podstawowej wiedzy o różnych ludzkich dziwactwach, to jest to lektura dla Was.

Dodatkowo na końcu jest mała bibliografia, która odsyła do bardziej szczegółowych pozycji na temat poszczególnych ugrupowań.

Wniosek? Gdzie zbierze się więcej niż 5 osób, tam na pewno ktoś jest nienormalny.

[Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was crazy interesting! The further I got into the book, the more unbelievable it became, which just made it that much more exciting. I love learning about different societies and people, so this book was right up my alley. I would definitely recommend it if you have a strong stomach and are intrigued by crazies.

[Arminius · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is an interesting book which talks about many secret societies and cult groups both present and from the past.
Jim Jones wore sun glasses day and night to add to his mystique however he used bullying and intimidation to keep members of his tribe in line. He left the US to Guyana in South America to avoid the US government from catching him doing his evil deeds. He forced the members to watch Soviet propaganda. Also they were forced to live in rat infested deplorable conditions while he live in the lap of luxury. He had his members work long hours planting food and making roads while he slept then forced them to listen to his long winded sermons in the evening. He also staged fake poison events where members drank lemonade and told poison was in it after they drank it. Even though their wasn't any poison. When a congressman came down to visit the camp with reporters he shot and killed them all. Then he had the members drink lemonade laced with cyanide and they all died in the nastiness of the jungle. Another group the author discusses is the Illumanti. The idea was created by Adam Wieshaupt and the wanted to rid Europe of Christianity and nationalism. There are many famous members of the group including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. They are around today but their aims have as of yet failed.

Anyway there are many other discussions of interesting and entertaining cults and secret societies in this book.

[Lateef Amodu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at cults, secret societies and ancient orders around the world. It details cults such as David Koresh and The Branch of Davidians, Aum Shinrikyo , Jim Jones and The Peoples Temple and Heavens's Gate. It looks at ancient orders like the Freemasons, The Illuminati, The Spanish Inquisitions and The Knights Templar. Modern secret societies like the Ku Klux Klan, Skull and Bones and The Raelians are also covered. It’s quite an informative book that covers the origins, pivotal points and downfalls of these groups. It goes into details with the cults; some of the details he shares about the cults are unsettling. It’s not as quite as extensive when it comes to the ancient orders and secret societies, so further research is required in this area. The author does provide (a few) sources to his writings. The book also contains high-quality photographs and ancient pictures that is referred to throughout the book. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. The author doesn’t take himself too seriously and there’s some lightheartedness to his writings, which kind helps for some of the disturbing details in the book.

[Tekla György (teklakonyvei) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Szélsőséges szekták, titkos társaságok remek összefoglalója az emberi gonoszságnak és kapzsiságnak, vagy akár annak, hogy milyen végkimenetele lehet az elvakult hitnek. Jonathan J. Moore kötete informatív, érdekes, és lebilincselő, nem utolsó sorban pedig a gazdag képanyag helyenként szinte sokkolóan is hathat.

Ebben a gyűjtésben a hírhedt titkos társaságok talán az a rész, mely a másik négy nagyobb fejezet mellett már csak könnyed levezetésnek hathat, noha ezek a körök is sok érdekességet tartogatnak. Ha azt mondom, hogy remek olvasmány, az valószínűleg túl furcsán hangozna, szóval inkább azt mondom, hogy fontos olvasmány. Már amennyiben érdeklődsz a téma iránt.

Bővebben: https://www.gyorgytekla.hu/2022/12/jo...

[Xzs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uh, I inadvertently deleted my review! A lost review can be a tragic as an author’s lost chapter. But it’s life and it happens. So here’s my quick recap: I was fascinated by Jonestown, amused by the Raellians and intrigued by Skull and Bones. Group think at its most grotesquely fascinating. A good diversion, though not necessarily uplifting.

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely interesting overview of cults and secret societies in a way that doesn't diminish the brutality of their actions but pokes fun at them. Overall, an engrossing read!

[Rudi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leuk boek , eigenlijk is alles een sekte de een groter en machtiger of de ander het zit een beetje in de mens om er in te zitten
De sekte van de holenbeer

[wandersea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives an overview of the best known cases and it's not going much into details - still quite an interesting read.

[majaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

imo przerażajace

[Jason Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about secret societies. This book had some pretty interesting information and plenty of photos to help understand each organization.

[Zuzanna Banaś · Rating 3 out of 5]

Na początku bardzo interesująca i wciągająca, ale potem gdy jest dużo historii opisanych bardzo krótko to człowiek jest trochę już odporny na jakieś mocniejsze wrażenia. Za początek dałabym 5 gwiazdek, ale po przeczytaniu całości 3.

[Nicholas Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting reading. This book doesn't disappoint!