Cultish

Amanda Montell turns a sharp eye on a question that troubles many people after hearing about a notorious group: how do ordinary people end up committed to cults, and why do they stay? Rather than blaming brainwashing or hypnotic leaders, Montell argues that the answer lies in words. The book looks at the vocabulary, rhythms and rituals that bind people together and set them against outsiders, showing how they work in groups ranging from infamous religious movements to fitness studios, start-ups and online communities. Drawing on storytelling and her own research, the author connects these patterns to everyday life, so that readers come away noticing how familiar speech can carry the same pull.