Cults Like Us

Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America

By: Jane Borden

Narrated by: Jane Borden

An “engrossing, unputdownable” (Amanda Montell, New York Times bestselling author) pop history that explains why the eccentric doomsday beliefs of our Puritan founders are still driving American culture today, contextualizes the current rise in far-right extremism as a natural result of our latent indoctrination, and proposes that the United States is the largest cult of all.

Since the Mayflower sidled up to Plymouth Rock, cult ideology has been ingrained in the DNA of the United States. In this eye-opening book, journalist Jane Borden argues that Puritan doomsday belief never went away; it went secular and became American culture. From our fascination with cowboys and superheroes to our allegiance to influencers and self-help, susceptibility to advertising, and undying devotion to the self-made man, Americans remain particularly vulnerable to a specific brand of cult-like thinking.

With in-depth research and compelling insight, Borden uncovers the American history you didn’t learn in school, including how we are still being brainwashed, making us a nation of easy marks for con artists and strong men. Along the way, she also revisits some of the most fascinating cults in this country—including, the Mankind United and Love Has Won—presenting them as integral parts of our national psyche rather than aberrations.

Absolutely Essential Reading

I've been studying coercive control/authoritarian influence (aka, cults) for 2 decades now, and this book is essential reading. It explains a lot about the different authoritarian groups (heads' up, it doesn't have to look like Jonestown to be a cult!) and why America is uniquely susceptible to this kind of influence.

The frequency of cults

Liked her voice, delivery. Subject matter. Easy to follow the plot and contemplate what’s happening

Jane kicks arse

intelligent funny enlightening historical scientific. Jane is a treasure. I loved learning more about this subject and she offered so much more in a philosophical sense.

Perfect for the times we live in, necessary even.

This book was amazing. The author is so clear. I just loved it. It gave me a new perspective in trying to understand the “evil” that I’m seeing our country go through right now. In quotes because I just listened to the conclusion!

An excellent way to understand America’s arc

Borden provides an accessible and compelling unpacking of the American mind in all of its frothy aspirations and messy anxieties. To take in the cults as Borden lays them out is to grow one’s capacity to understand both the present political moment in America and the anxious heart that wrought it. Cults Like Us will grow the reader’s vocabulary for self and community reflection. Do not leap into the present danger without this book in your heart. It will help you preserve your own agency and build the resilient community you seek.