The History of Cults: From Satanic Sects to the Manson Family

by Robert Schroeder

A compelling and sometimes disturbing look into more than 50 mysterious cults, complete with stories from ex-members and profiles of their often-enigmatic leaders.
 
With a decline in organized religion and an explosion in social-media followers and factions, our interest in cults, sects, and radical religions continues unabated. While groups such as the Moonies or the Children of God have been dismissed as harmless, the mass suicides, atrocities, attacks, extremist rhetoric, and spiraling wealth and power of some of the more recent movements suggest a darker side. Robert Schroëder places 50 ancient and modern cults—from Osiris and the Knights Templar to the Branch Davidian, Hellfire Clubs, Manson “family,” Jonestown, Concerned Christians, Jesus Army, Rajneeshis, and The Apotheosis of Elvis—in historical and cultural context, tracing their existence back to the earliest days of mankind. Investigating the essence of their continued appeal through the experiences of ex-members and explorations of their leaders, he provides compelling and sometimes disturbing insight into these shadowy societies. This edition is fully updated to reflect the aftermath of the millennium, the rise of extremism, and the influence of the internet age.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Cults

192 pages, Hardcover

Published March 3, 2020

Reviews

[Sarah Kitsinis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but this author failed to cite sources for incorrect information. The Jobestown massacre took place on November 18th, not the 20th. Jim Jones founded The People’s Temple in Indiana, his home state, not in California. The Temple was well established before they left for Cali.

[Woody Chichester · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess if you don't know much about cults this gives you a decent overview, and may inspire folks to do some research. However, if I were able to post a GIF I may use the old reliable "Sure, Jan" GIF because I think it's a stretch to call some of these groups cults- especially the ancient groups mentioned. But, I guess read and decide for yourself.

[Sarah Diner · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s got some fun and interesting information but overall the delivery is very poor. Parts seemed like they were only basically researched. The layout is terrible where it will cover the same organization in multiple places. The term cult is also very loosely applied in some circumstances, especially for the ones from earlier history. No mention of actual history of how cults are generally formed, how the term came to be, or what common definitions are. Also lacks an impartial voice and the author’s own judgements come into play in many places. You could likely find a more informative and better researched book elsewhere

[Mahaliah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent overview of cults throughout history. Organization was odd, with certain cults mentioned once and then their leader mentioned again in another section. Would have been better to outline the cult then do a deeper dive into the leader right after. Writing was poorly edited in parts. A good coffee table book to get some basic info about cults, but wouldn’t read it cover-to-cover like I did.

[Shannon Leathers Zelasko · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was kind of a mess, and I caught several mistakes and instances of incorrect information. I could find no supporting evidence for one of the author’s claims in the Heaven’s Gate section (the “Do” name meaning John Doe instead of Do from the Sound of Music song), and another claim he made was never actually verified (how Applewhite and Nettles met). However, I will be looking into these further and will gladly admit if I’m wrong. There are other examples of incorrect information throughout the text, but I don’t feel like going into all of them. Other reviewers have shared incorrect information that they found, also.

Overall, I agree with what numerous other reviewers said: the organization of the book didn’t make a whole lot of sense, it was repetitive, it could have used better editing, and the research could have been better.

[Marian · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFed early on. The amount of misinformation, odd meandering, and presenting a single interpretation as fact in ancient worship that had many differing facets is a hard no from me. I'm very invested in the topic, and this one is not worth the time. Half of these aren't cults, the organization makes no sense, and there is zero educational value to any of this.

[Sawa Prass]

Not worth buying, bare minimum of information on cults.

[Felicity (☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would describe it as WYSIWYG - it is a book jam-packed with information about cults both ancient and modern and the charismatic individuals behind every one of these cults. It mentions the basis around cults as quasi-religious and the ability to persuade members to cut off familial ties and provide the cult leader with massive amounts of money - in other words, their entire incomes.

Truly interesting and you could see the links between each of the cult leaders and how some influence others. Because of the content and the writing, I could only give it four stars. It is nothing more than facts without emotive understanding and particular touching noteworthiness. However, itis not the fault of the author Robert Schroeder, but some books merely cannot have that factor. One thing is for sure - as long as the human race exists, people will always use hysteria to create profit.

[Domenic Ferreri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy crime novels that reflect the passions of its author, but this book is definitely not one of them. This book initially peaked my interest because I wanted a brief introduction to the world of cults throughout history, and that was exactly what I received. I casually read it for a few months and learnt some things but, upon further reflection, I would have to agree with other readers that this book was perfectly fine. I can't imagine this author has any credentials as a specialised cult expert or dedicated investigative journalist because he sometimes seemed to recount the steps he took when researching particular cults.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. However, found factual errors under the category of Mormonism, so I wonder what else the author got wrong in the other categories I know less about. i.e. Joseph F. Smith was not an early church president, but lived later and died in 1918 I believe. Also, Joseph Smith III was never a Mormon leader, but was the first leader of the Reorganized church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints(RLDS), an apostate group which broke of from the LDS church. Interesting though.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 2 out of 5]

A brief overview of different sects.

I thought this book was a bit of a mess, with a lot of repetition, no depth and poor writing.

Reading time around three hours.

I picked this up from my local library (even though publication date is supposed to be 2020?).

[Sammy]

Took me a long time to get through, nine months of reading it in between other books. Was quite boring really. Not as good as the Conspiracy Theory one (similar in presentation and feel). Again, pretty Americanised.

Rating: No Rating

[Meghan-Alice · Rating 1 out of 5]

honestly the amount of just wrong information in here is PAINFUL and it’s such a massive stretch to call some of these groups cults. i so wanted to love this as i spent so much of my degree studying cults, but this was just a slap in the face to anyone who can even just use google.

[emreadsstuff · Rating 3 out of 5]

good basic intro but no references and kinda repetitive