Cults in America: Programmed for Paradise [Paperback]

Willa Appel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1985

A study of what attracts people to cults; what kind of people are attracted to cults; what goes on inside cults; what dangers do cults present to society; a stimulating and profoundly illuminating overview of cults.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Co (P) (December 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805005242
• ISBN-13: 978-0805005240
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,643,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cult Mentality & Workings Clearly Explained, February 3, 2000

By 

Richard Ballard "rjballard" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cults in America: Programmed for Paradise (Hardcover)

This book explains the mentality and workings of cults, cult leaders, and cult members in a concise and readable manner. The author's clear explanations and historical examples are enhanced by excerpts of interviews with former cult members. Written in 1983, drug use within cults is not discussed.

Ms. Appel discusses cult leaders, why they become cult leaders, and how they structure cults to attract and retain followers. She discusses cult members, their common characteristics, and how they are affected by cult membership. Ms. Appel discusses brainwashing techniques, how brainwashing is accomplished, and how brainwashing affects individuals. She discusses deprogramming: the controversial technique of "rescueing" a cult member and returning the cult member to society. Ms. Appel discusses deprogramming techniques, and also discusses their success.

This is a clearly written and very interesting book that merits reading. It also is a book that merits a new revision discussing today's cult activities.