Product Description

A former cult member, now a counselor helping those affected by destructive cults, Hassan exposes the troubling facts about cultsí recruitment, their use of psychological manipulation, and their often subtle influence on government, the legal system, and society as a whole.

This updated paperback edition includes a new preface by the author and an expanded bibliography and resource list.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #258748 in Books
• Published on: 1990-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

USA Today
Steve Hassan is uniquely qualified to speak on dangerous cults.

The Lancet, Journal of the British Medical Association
Well worth reading, particularly by those professionals involved with students.

Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, Author, When Bad Things Happen to Good People
A clear and valuable work.

Customer Reviews

This book changed my life!
As a former member of Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church, I was convinced, even after I left, that there was no such thing as mind control. In fact, I even refused to read any books on the subject, nor would I read any of the first-hand accounts of former members. The reason for this was that I had a deep phobia about the very idea that mind control existed -- which I suppose is in itself a good argument that mind control is real. Finally, six years after I left the Unification Church, I steeled myself to read Steven Hassan's book, expecting to hate it and disagree with every word. To my amazement, Mr. Hassan's arguments won me over completely. I had to concede that his description of mind control had, in fact, happened to me. This revelation ended my six-year-long vacillation during which time I still felt some attachment to my former cult. I now realized what harm had been done to me, and I became very properly angry -- and, finally, I began to read the first-person accounts of other former members. This book set me free to think clearly about my experiences again, and to create the psychic break needed to get on with my life.

Teenagers, read this book before leaving home
Protection is better than rescue and recovery, we wish we had read this book before our teenager left home. It is a clear, easy to read book about how cults operate and shows how easily a person can be drawn into one, without realising what is happening to them. If you think your son/daughter is involved in a cult, please read this book BEFORE saying anything about the subject to your child. You need the information contained in Steven Hassan's book to enable you to rescue your loved one and help them recover from the expirience. Without the knowledge in this book, you could send your child futher away from you.

Great Perspective from Someone Who Has "Been There"

An excellent examination of the cult phenomena. Described as "The #1 Best-selling Guide to Protection, Rescue, and Recovery from Destructive Cults," Haassan's book explains what elements are common to cults, and what defines a cult.

As a former member of the the Unification Church (a.k.a. "Moonies") and a psychologist (he obtained his degree after exiting the Moonies), Hassan offers a unique perspective and insight into the cult movement.

Although peppered with examples and anecdotes from the Moonies, Hassan is careful to keep the analysis general enough to apply to many other "questionable" groups and organizations.

When is a cult not a cult? Does a group have to be "religious" to be a cult, or could a "non-religious" cult exist? Hassan answers these questions and more, and clearly defines the difference between unusual beliefs (which do not necessarily identify a group as a cult) and dangerous & destructive social factors (which, independent of the beleifs, make a group a cult, according to Hassan's definition).

Strongly recommended for anyone who has friends or family in an "unusual" group; this book will help you to either dismiss your fears of cult involvement, or give you the advice you need to deal with this difficult situation.

Even more strongly recommended for anyone who feels they are an a group that has been "mislabelled" by society as a cult. This book will either help you to understand what defines a cult (so you can defend yourself against criticism) or else give you an interesting perspective on how others view your organization.