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Cults in Our Midst Paperback – October 8, 1996

by Margaret Thaler Singer (Author), Janja Lalich (Author), Robert Jay Lifton (Author)

4.5 24 ratings

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Cults in Our Midst: The Continuing Fight Against Their Hidden Menace
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A definitive and shocking expose that reveals what cults are and how they work. With vital information on how to help people escape cult entrapments and recover from the experience, this book will be an invaluable resource to former cult members.

Print length

400 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Jossey-Bass
Publication date

October 8, 1996
Dimensions

5.91 x 1.04 x 9.11 inches
ISBN-10

0787902667
ISBN-13

978-0787902667
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The definitive A to Z work on cults.... It would have been a tremAndous resource and comfort to me and my family through our ordeals.'' (Patricia Ryan, daughter of Congressman Leo Ryan, who was assassinated by members of Jim Jones's Peoples Temple)

"This straightforward overview offers a clear explanation of the nature of cults and the threat they pose to individuals, families, and society. Perhaps the most striking point made here is the contention that most Americans will be vulnerable to cults at some point in their lives."

``Essential reading for all citizens in a free society to learn how even here it is possible to coercively persuade people to give up their freedom and harm themselves and their children in the process.'' (Edgar H. Schein, author of Coercive Persuasion (1961), and professor of management, MIT Sloan School of Management)

``Many Americans feel helpless when manipulative, mind-stealing seducers take our children, our parents, our wealth... Singer explains the process, exposes their methods, and strengthens us all.'' (Mike Farrell, actor and producer, member of the board of advisors of the Cult Awareness Network)

``Should be read by everyone who wishes to understand the incoherence in the therapeutic movements damaging families and destoying public confidence in mental health professionals. This is a superbly written, carefully detailed, enlightening book.'' (Paul McHugh, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical School)

``Age, education, sophistication, and wealth are not vaccinations against getting involved in a cult.'' (Margaret Singer)

From the Inside Flap

Most people believe that cult members are mentally unbalanced or are misfits who live in remote places, like the doomed devotees of Jim Jones and David Koresh. We take comfort in the fact that the influences of cults are far removed from our everyday lives. Nothing could be further from the truth.Over the past two decades, in the United States alone, an estimated twenty million people have joined cults. Today, three to five thousand cults are working to recruit new members. At any point in time, two-and-a-half to three million Americans are active cult members. Often a cult is disguised as a legitimate business or organization: a restaurant, self-help group, psychotherapy clinic, or leadership training program could be a front for a cult. Anyone—no matter what age or income level—could be susceptible to the covert and seductive nature of a cult. People are especially vulnerable to these masterful manipulators during periods of traumatic life changes: a college student away from home for the first time, a grief-stricken widow in need of understanding and support, or a businessperson transferred by his or her employer to a new and unfamiliar community. The country's leading authority on cults, Margaret Thaler Singer, calls on her nearly fifty years of expertise to write the definitive book on cults. Written with author and former cult member Janja Lalich, Singer's first book is a shocking exposea that reveals what cults are and how they work. Cults in Our Midst offers vital information on how to help people escape cult entrapments and recover from the experience. This compelling book debunks commonly held myths and answers perplexing questions about cults such as:

Why don't people just leave cults?
What characteristics do cults have in common?
Why isn't the U.S. Marines or Alcoholics Anonymous considered a cult?
Who are the people most likely to join cults?
Where can I go for help if someone I love is living in a cult?
What actions can w

From the Back Cover

Most people believe that cult members are mentally unbalanced or are misfits who live in remote places, like the doomed devotees of Jim Jones and David Koresh. We take comfort in the fact that the influences of cults are far removed from our everyday lives.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Over the past two decades, in the United States alone, an estimated twenty million people have joined cults. Today, three to five thousand cults are working to recruit new members. At any point in time, two-and-a-half to three million Americans are active cult members. Often a cult is disguised as a legitimate business or organization: a restaurant, self-help group, psychotherapy clinic, or leadership training program could be a front for a cult. Anyone—no matter what age or income level—could be susceptible to the covert and seductive nature of a cult. People are especially vulnerable to these masterful manipulators during periods of traumatic life changes: a college student away from home for the first time, a grief-stricken widow in need of understanding and support, or a businessperson transferred by his or her employer to a new and unfamiliar community.
The country's leading authority on cults, Margaret Thaler Singer, calls on her nearly fifty years of expertise to write the definitive book on cults. Written with author and former cult member Janja Lalich, Singer's first book is a shocking exposea that reveals what cults are and how they work. Cults in Our Midst offers vital information on how to help people escape cult entrapments and recover from the experience. This compelling book debunks commonly held myths and answers perplexing questions about cults such as:

Why don't people just leave cults?
(li> What characteristics do cults have in common?
Why isn't the U.S. Marines or Alcoholics Anonymous considered a cult?
Who are the people most likely to join cults?
Where can I go for help if someone I love is living in a cult?
What actions can we take to prevent the spread of cults' influence?

Cults in Our Midst is filled with practical strategies and suggestions for understanding the cult phenomenon and helping cult members break free. The authors outline the methods of exit counseling that have been used successfully with thousands of cult members and address major areas of post-cult adjustment. Former cult members will find this book to be an invaluable resource to help them comprehend their cult experience and reclaim their lives.

About the Author

MARGARET THALER SINGER, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and adjunct professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. In her career, she has counseled and interviewed more than three thousand current and former cult members and their relatives and friAnds. An expert on post-traumatic stress as well as cults, she lectures widely in the United States and abroad. JANJA LALICH is a former cult member and is now a writer, consultant, and cult information specialist. She is also the coauthor of Captive Hearts, Captive Minds (1994).

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (October 8, 1996)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0787902667
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0787902667
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.19 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.91 x 1.04 x 9.11 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,796,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,133 in Medical Social Psychology & Interactions
- #5,640 in Popular Social Psychology & Interactions

Customer Reviews:
4.5 24 ratings

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Margaret Thaler Singer
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Janja Lalich
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Janja Lalich, Ph.D. is a researcher, author, and educator specializing in self-sealing, or closed, systems (cults, human trafficking, situations of coercive influence and control, ideological extremism), with a particular focus on recruitment, indoctrination, and methods of influence and control. She is Professor Emerita of Sociology at California State University, Chico and has been studying the social psychology of controversial groups and exploitative and abusive relationships for 30+ years. Dr. Lalich has written and lectured extensively, has advised the international intelligence community on extremism and indoctrination, and has served as consultant and expert witness in civil and criminal cases.
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Scott H. Irving

You need to know what happened in the 60s, ...

Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2017

Verified Purchase

You need to know what happened in the 60s, 70s and 80s as regard cults in the USA/UK. They have lots of protection and Margaret Singer waged a one woman war against these CIA sponsored experiments that plagues then and now. I think this book is still very relevant and important, as most did not learn the lessons they needed to. Singer founded The Cult Awareness Network (CAN) and was put out of commission by a Scientology lawsuit, who won judgement against her, with help from powerful political forces. This book is more important now than it was when it first come out. It deserves far more exposure. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. Can you say Jim Jones?

32 people found this helpful

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WhatOnEarthismyhairdoallabout?

Current Information About Mind Control Cults...Highly Relevant

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2022

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Cults are on the rise. You can see their influence everywhere. Sanger's discussion of mind control techniques, intimidation, and thought reform are exceptional.

2 people found this helpful

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Trevor L. Carter

This is a good book on understanding the cult mindset

Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2016

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This is a good book on understanding the cult mindset. It goes into detail on the various methods/techniques used by cults to recruit and retain members. A must read!

One person found this helpful

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Frederick Darelle

An Important Book

Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2015

Verified Purchase

This is an important book that deserves attention, especially since it shows how easily the cult of personality and other phenomena can squeeze into our lives at the slightest suggestion.

I am not an expert, but as someone who is fascinated by the history of cults among us, I recommend this book to at least get you started on deep research into the subject.

8 people found this helpful

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Antares

The manual for cult survivors

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2016

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This book was a God-send to me. I found it in a library years ago and finally bought a copy for myself. It is the best reference for cult survivors or anyone who knows someone in a cult. Get this book! It helped me to know I was not alone.

4 people found this helpful

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