10 Fascinating Books About Cults

Breaking Free

How I Escaped Polygamy, the FLDS Cult, and My Father, Warren Jeffs

by Jeffs, Rachel

Book - 2017

Rachel Jeffs, daughter of Warren Jeffs, tells how she broke free from her father, the self-proclaimed prophet of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints, and...Show more Rachel Jeffs, daughter of Warren Jeffs, tells how she broke free from her father, the self-proclaimed prophet of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints, and his followers. After suffering years of emotional, mental and sexual abuse, including being married off as a teenager, she left with her five children in tow and built a new life outside of FLDS as recounted in this harrowing and hopeful memoir. Show less

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Don't Call It A Cult

The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of NXIVM

by Berman, Sarah

Paperback - 2021

Investigative journalist Berman tells the chilling story of how Keith Raniere, with a background in multilevel marketing, along with nurse Nancy Salzman o...Show more Investigative journalist Berman tells the chilling story of how Keith Raniere, with a background in multilevel marketing, along with nurse Nancy Salzman operated, NXIVM, a sex cult that engaged in sex trafficking and forced labor under the guise of a self-help coaching company, financed by the Seagram's heiresses, the Bronfman sisters. Show less

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Going Clear

Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief

by Wright, Lawrence

Book - 2013

Wright's exposè of the secretive Church of Scientology and it's founder, L. Ron Hubbard, a pulp writer who wanted to "start a religion," is the most illuminating and shocking portrait of the religion thus far. Wright's exposè of the secretive Church of Scientology and it's founder, L. Ron Hubbard, a pulp writer who wanted to "start a religion," is the most illuminating and shocking portrait of the religion thus far. Show less

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In the Shadow of the Moons

My Life in the Reverend Sun Myung Moon's Family

by Hong, Nansook

Book - 1998

Nansook Hong was chosen by Reverend Sun Myong Moon, at 15, to be the bride for his eldest son. In this memoir, Hong recounts living in lavish a family com...Show more Nansook Hong was chosen by Reverend Sun Myong Moon, at 15, to be the bride for his eldest son. In this memoir, Hong recounts living in lavish a family compound with the founder of the Moonies and his kin and her eventual escape, and she exposes their hypocrisy in holding tenets of sobriety, poverty, monogamy, while actually living far different lives. Show less

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Leaving Isn't the Hardest Thing

Essays

by Hough, Lauren

Paperback - 2021

Hough's candid and funny memoir-in-essays recounts her experiences growing up in the Children of God cult, joining the Air Force out of high school, coming to terms with her sexuality, and her journey of self-discovery. Hough's candid and funny memoir-in-essays recounts her experiences growing up in the Children of God cult, joining the Air Force out of high school, coming to terms with her sexuality, and her journey of self-discovery. Show less

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A Place Called Waco

A Survivor's Story

by Thibodeau, David

Book - 1999

A memoir by a survivor of the Waco siege provides an insider view of the Branch Davidians and leader David Koresh, as well an account of what transpired between them and the U.S. military and the Branch Davidians in 1993. A memoir by a survivor of the Waco siege provides an insider view of the Branch Davidians and leader David Koresh, as well an account of what transpired between them and the U.S. military and the Branch Davidians in 1993. Show less

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The Road to Jonestown

Jim Jones and Peoples Temple

by Guinn, Jeff

Book - 2017

In November 1978, Jim Jones coerced 900 of his followers, living in Jonestown in the jungles of Guyana, into an act of mass suicide. Guinn tells the engro...Show more In November 1978, Jim Jones coerced 900 of his followers, living in Jonestown in the jungles of Guyana, into an act of mass suicide. Guinn tells the engrossing story of Jim Jones, a charismatic preacher from Indiana, where he founded The People's Temple. He moved to Northern California in 1965, and with his gospel of Christianity, racial integration and socialism, the church grew in size and influence. As scrutiny about Jones and his church intensified, he moved his followers again to Guyana to build Jonestown, a "socialist paradise," where the shocking tragedy took place. Show less

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The Sound of Gravel

A Memoir

by Wariner, Ruth

Book - 2016

Ruth Wariner's heartbreaking memoir is about growing up in rural Mexico in a fundamentalist Mormon compound called "The Colony," where she endures tragedy and abuse, but it's also a story of resilience and triumph. Ruth Wariner's heartbreaking memoir is about growing up in rural Mexico in a fundamentalist Mormon compound called "The Colony," where she endures tragedy and abuse, but it's also a story of resilience and triumph. Show less

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The Storm Is Upon Us

How QAnon Became A Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything

by Rothschild, Mike

Book - 2021

Journalist Rothschild investigates the bizarre world of QAnon; where it came from, who its followers are and why it's dangerous. Journalist Rothschild investigates the bizarre world of QAnon; where it came from, who its followers are and why it's dangerous. Show less

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Underground

by Murakami, Haruki

Paperback - 2001

In 1995, members of the Aum Shinkrikyo cult, in a chilling act of domestic terrorism, released poison gas on the Tokyo subway during rush hour. In this wo...Show more In 1995, members of the Aum Shinkrikyo cult, in a chilling act of domestic terrorism, released poison gas on the Tokyo subway during rush hour. In this work of reportage, Murakami offers a series of interviews with the survivors of the attack and with members of Aum, as well as his own personal essay on the attacks. Show less

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