51 pages • 1 hour read
Amanda MontellCultish: The Language of Fanaticism
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism, Amanda Montell explores how American cults and various modern communities like MLMs and fitness groups manipulate language to shape reality and control members, illustrating a shared cultish language. References to and depictions of suicide, homicide, racial issues, political issues, kidnapping, harm to children, gun violence, body shaming, sexual abuse, and rape are present.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Amanda Montell's Cultish receives praise for its engaging exploration of the language used by cults to manipulate and control. Readers appreciate Montell's insightful analysis and accessible writing style, though some critique the book for lacking depth in certain case studies. Overall, it is seen as a compelling read that sheds light on the power of language.
Who Should Read Cultish?
Readers who relish dissecting language, culture, and societal influences, akin to those who enjoyed Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari or The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, will find Amanda Montell's Cultish compelling. This book suits enthusiasts of linguistics, psychology, and the subtle power of words in shaping belief systems.