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Cathy Mitchell
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Richard Ofshe
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The Light on Synanon: How a country weekly exposed a corporate cult--and won the Pulitzer Prize Paperback – January 1, 1982

by Dave Mitchell (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
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Book by Dave Mitchell, Cathy Mitchell, Richard Ofshe
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  1. Print length
    307 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Wideview Books
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1982
  5. ISBN-10
    0872237613
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0872237612
  7. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
5 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

QFM
5.0 out of 5 stars The book is in brand-new condition
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
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Too expensive, but I was really interested in the subject. Well written and in perfect condition.
One person found this helpful
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Bookseller80
4.0 out of 5 stars This book is a real gem!
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2013
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I was glad to read an eyewitness account of the therapy horror story that was Synanon. How such a network (or rather cult) could ever have existed truly baffles me! And to allow children to participate in their infamous "Game" using corporal punishment, cruel anger therapy sessions and brutal bootcamps was truly criminal! Synanon founder Chuck Dederich was a monster - even fellow cult leader Rev. Jim Jones (of Jonestown fame) couldn't stand him! Kudos to the reporters in this book who helped bring Synanon down!

Unfortunately, there is one question remaining which no one seems to be able to answer: What happened to Rose Lena Cole?
2 people found this helpful
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L. Newman
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book out there on the subject.
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2014
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Over the last year, I have become very interested in cults. Reading about them, that is, not joining them. I stumbled upon this book about Synanon and decoded to give it a go. While the book was about how a small town newspaper fought Goliath and won a Pulitzer doing it, there was a lot about Synanon in the book. This was well written and a fascinating, easy read. I had a lot of trouble putting it down. I recommend this to anyone interested in the topic.
4 people found this helpful
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Picklednunn
5.0 out of 5 stars It’s all true!
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2018
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Intriguing story of a small weekly local won the Pulitzer Prize with their daring on Synanon.
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Tom
5.0 out of 5 stars More History of the book and a copy autographed by two of the authors
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2020
In the 1980's I was a police investigator working on murders that occurred within a temple/farm of the Hare Krishnas in West Virginia. Having an educational background in sociology and a BA in social sciences and being a trained investigator I looked for other cases like mine that involved a "cult" or group that denigrated into violence and murder. Soon my library research revealed Dr. Ohshe and I read some of his published articles. I convinced my boss (I was detached and assigned to the US DOJ US Attorney's Office) that I wanted to make contact with the authors of Light on Synanon. I contacted Richard Ofshe and became a friend as well as being the usher to his input into our case and host to him during our numerous trials in Federal Court. I also visited him in Berkeley for his input. His views on organizations that are often designated as cults was important to my multi year investigation and the ultimate cracking of a cult infrastructure . Dr. Ofshe, who has a fascinating life story as well, testified and or was present during many of the trials. I also used some spare time to visit Port Reyes, the home of the Dave and Cathy Mitchell's newspaper . I have a first edition copy of the book, autographed by Dr. Ofshe and Dave Mitchell, dated 2/18/88. Dr. Ofshe's views, especially that cults in America tend to devolve in similar ways no matter what the core belief system was spot on for my investigation. After our professional status was over I know that he went on to study, among other things, the dynamic of police interrogations that can produce a confession from a suspect who was in fact innocent. I saw him on NBC and some other media outlets discussing his research. I would listen if someone wants to buy my copy, with both autographs, of Light on Synanon. Eventually I will post it on Amazon.
2 people found this helpful
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