Cult Following

From weird-history expert J. W. Ocker, an eye-popping, accessible guide to 30 of history’s most infamous, audacious, and dangerous cults.

“A must-read.” – Publishers Weekly

How do intelligent, ordinary people become drawn into extreme groups – and why can leaving become so difficult?

Everything you've ever wanted to know about history's most notorious cults – and the psychology of the people who join them – is packed into J.W. Ocker’s accessible, engaging Cult Following. Walk in the footsteps of those who were lured into sinister groups from Heaven's Gate to NXIVM. Along the way, he uncovers bizarre beliefs, charismatic leaders, manipulation, criminal acts, apocalyptic predictions, UFO religions, spiritual communes, self-improvement movements, and some of the strangest attempts humans have made to find truth, protection, purpose, salvation, and belonging.

Ocker brings his trademark curiosity and wonder to the subject of cults and the terrifying way they attract followers, demonstrating the elasticity of belief, the desperateness of belonging, and the tragedy of trust.

Perfect for true-crime readers, cult-documentary fans, history buffs, psychology enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the question: Could this happen to me?

• Explore 30 notorious cults including Heaven’s Gate, NXIVM, the Branch Davidians, the Rajneesh movement, Breatharianism, UFO cults, and more 
• Understand how belonging, identity, trust, vulnerability, and escalating control can draw ordinary people into extreme groups 
• Examine charismatic leadership, isolation, coercion, exploitation, apocalyptic belief, and the gradual erosion of independence 
• True crime + strange history: Discover bizarre beliefs alongside real cases involving fraud, trafficking, murder, bioterrorism, mass violence, and other crimes 
• J. W. Ocker combines serious research with concise chapters, strange details, and an engaging voice for readers new to cult history 

Step inside 30 extraordinary belief systems… and discover why the most unsettling thing about cults may be how human their appeal can seem.