Soul Snatchers: The Mechanics of Cults [Paperback]

Jean-Marie Abgrall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1999

Abgrall details the mechanisms by which cults attract, ensnare and brainwash new members, and discusses types of people most vulnerable to cult recruitment.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

From the Tokyo subway bombing and the siege at Waco to the mass suicide of Jim Jones's followers in Guyana, evidence of cult activity has surged in recent decades. Abgrall, a practicing psychiatrist and professional criminologist, has spent 15 years researching cult phenomena and presents here a thorough analysis of their psychodynamics and the mysteries that surround cult life. He delves into recruitment, physical and psychic conditioning methods, the mental predisposition of gurus and followers, and the treatment of former cult members. Well organized and readable, his work complements James R. Lewis's Cults in America: A Reference Handbook (LJ 2/1/99) and David V. Barrett's Sects, Cults and Alternative Religions: A World Survey and Sourcebook (Sterling, 1996). Useful for high school students doing research and for adults interested in mysticism and sects, this book is recommended for public and academic libraries. Passionate Journeys is more specific in nature. Goldman (sociology, Univ. of Oregon; Gold Diggers and Silver Miners) studied the female boomers who left their families, careers, and identities to join the Rajneeshpuram spiritual community in Oregon in the 1970s and 1980s. Goldman conducted extensive interviews with former sannyasins and presents here composite pictures detailing the psychological make-up, hopes, and beliefs of women who joined the community. Her thesis is that, though extreme, the cult members' experiences illuminate the struggles of women in general; their joining was an attempt to balance love, work, and spirituality. A compilation of case studies, this book was written for the college-educated reader; recommended for academic libraries serving feminist or religious studies programs.
-Deborah Bigelow, Leonia P.L., NJ
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Algora Publishing (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 189294104X
• ISBN-13: 978-1892941046
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,964,202 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A thorough and revealing discussion by an acknowledged expert, September 12, 2008

By 

Eldon Braun "EldonB" (Paris, France) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Soul Snatchers: The Mechanics of Cults (Paperback)

Dr. Abgrall has frequently appeared in French courts as an expert. He worries Scientology so much that they stole his mail to see of they could dig up any dirt on him! The book provides an interesting cultural viewpoint, because in France "freedom of religious belief" doesn't mean "freedom to brainwash and manipulate" as it is sometimes interpreted in the United states. Scientology is now being tried as a criminal organization for fraud and medical malpractice in both France and Belgium, which means it could be disbanded in those countries.

I deducted a star not because the book is lacking, but because there are a few minor glitches in the translation due to unfamiliarity with the subject and lack of original English language material (which is available), but these don't really detract from the information.