Combating Cult Mind Control

By: Steven Hassan

Narrated by: Daniel Greenberg

Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

On November 18, 1978, more than 900 people, including a US congressman, Leo Ryan, died because of cult leader Jim Jones at Jonestown, Guyana. More than 300 were children forced to drink cyanide-laced Kool-Aid by their parents who believed they were doing God’s will. 

The techniques of undue influence have evolved dramatically and continue to do so. Today, a vast array of methods exist to deceive, manipulate, and indoctrinate people into closed systems of obedience and dependency. If you are listening to this updated audiobook for the first time, please know you have found a safe, respectful, compassionate place. 

This audiobook can help you protect or regain your sanity, freedom, and health. It can also help you protect others from the use of mind-control techniques. In this 30th anniversary volume, you will find: 

• New stories of people who fell under the sway of cults and other forms of undue influence but who were able to break free. 
• New information on the many sophisticated ways that social media is now used for mind control. 
• Updates on the many types of organizations that use mind control. 
• Information on the neuroscience behind mind control. 
• A look at what legislators, courts, mental-health professionals, and ordinary citizens can do to resist mind control and make our world a safer place. 

Sadly, the essential information in this audiobook is still not widely known or understood. People around the world remain largely unprepared for the new realities of mind control. But you are far from helpless. There is a great deal you can do to stay safe, sane, and whole - and to help the people you care about to do the same. And if someone you love is already part of a mind-control group, there is much you can do to help them break free and rebuild their life. This audiobook will give you the tools you need. 

As you listen to this audiobook, you will learn to develop, use, and trust your critical thinking skills; your intuition; your bodily and emotional awareness; your ability to ask the right questions; and your skill at doing quick, useful research. You'll also learn to create a healthy balance of openness and skepticism. As you will see, the entire process begins and ends with discernment. 

©1988 Steven Hassan (P)2018 Steven Hassan

A great book filled of testimonials and advice

It's a bit long and there are moments in several chapters which are mildly repetitive. It doesn't go into explicit details of any one cult, and delves deepest into the Moonies as this was the one Steven Hassan escaped, but it is well worth the read.

It provides a clear and academic framework to determine whether or not a group is a "destructive cult," the effects of participating in them, advice for how to escape the cult for members and their families, and testimonials of past members and attempts to rescue the victims of these groups.

There is no mysticism in Steven's words and while it focuses extensively on "mind control," it is not in a magical way at all and is grounded in legitimate psychology.

It is definitely essential reading for those interested in this subject, my harshest criticism is that it can be a bit dry at times.

Very Insightful

It helped solidify my knowledge that my JW ex-husband has two different identities. I will use this book to keep my children educated.

Getting to know you.

This is a must read for anyone. It could help people better understand themselves, their family, their beliefs, and their social networks. this book as advertised, breaks down processes in which external forces impact individuals in clear concise terms that are easily understood. It has a gentile overtone making it possible for anyone of any background to feel comfortable with its message. the only stupid question is the question that is never asked, or reflected upon.

A must read to understand the current tactics, devices and intention behind Mind Control

I stubbles on to this from another book that referenced it.

I had no idea the amount power, wealth, persuasiveness, tactics, deceiving, etc. that combined to shield many, even considered mainline groups & business, that are actually harmful, secretive and are actively the ability to reduce some basic human rights of individuals.

Some of these human rights lean towards the more marginalized groups in society, ie: LGBTQIA.

They create powerful ideologies endorsing and promoting ideas, ie: losing our “Religious freedom” coalitions, organizations and subgroups that seem to be doing good.

But are NOT. They are actually fighting to get laws passed that would protect them from being liable if Mind Control. And hoping to FORCE THEIR PRACTICES on all society.

He gives a great example of the “Religious Freedom” campaign. It’s NOT able the right to choose a religion (or no religion) without interference by the government. (That is what the first amendment does now).

There are restrictions to all freedoms (ie, he offers great examples, “religious snake handling” is against the law because it kills. You have the right to believe but not a practice that will endanger. We have the right of freedom of speech but there’s also the clear and present danger act that retails what kind of speech where and when, using a bull horn at 3 o’clock in the morning is against the law regardless if it’s your personal belief. It infringes on others. At that time, obviously.

He provides models, questions and resources To help one become more successful in combating destructive mine control groups.

Amazing

Wow! What a great book! I definitely wasn’t aware of how much people are really influenced in the world every day. Whether they know it or not. Whether it’s “good influence” be “bad influence”. This was such a great book with s lot of insight on how to protect yourself & you loved ones from destructive cults. I myself was in a high controlled/destructive group and can honestly say that this opened my eyes to what happens in the subconscious mind & understand how someone who can be considered a “smart person” could easily be roped into these dangerous groups. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK! And please, don’t let it end here. Please continue to raise awareness with friends, family & anywhere else that you can. I’ve learned not to be ashamed of being involved in these types of groups. Please don’t allow anyone else to have their lives taken from them.

a must read for excommunicates everywhere

as a former Jehovah's witness this book is hugely instrumental in understanding what happened to you and how to rebuild

This should be studied in schools

Excellent for all leaving cults. ExJW here, I highly recommend this if you're escaping influence.

Average at best.

Drawn out verbose anecdotes. Fails to address the biggest mind control cult in America. I think if Steven were able to drop his racial bias he would have more enlightened things to say.

Freed my mind

For anyone questioning their belief system this book is a ‘must read.’
For me personally it unlocked my brain from the cult indoctrination I have suffered for more than 30 years of my life.
The reading performance sounds much like the conversation you may already be having in your head when reading this book.

Very Informative!

The ideas discussed in this book extend to situations that may not seem to have anything to do with cults in addition to explaining what cults are and how they work. Cults. Mind Control and undue influence are under appreciated and acknowledged in society today.

Outstanding book on cults and mind control

I have been curious about cults for sometime so I thought I would get this book to delve deeper into the subject.
I cannot recommend it highly enough for anyone actually involved with cults (within or outside them), anyone who is helping to extract someone from a cult, or who just has natural curiosity to find out more about these dangerous groups and how they cast their spell over their followers.
It is very comprehensive and the author seems to know the subject matter inside out.
I thought I knew quite a bit about cults until I read this book.

SHOULD BE BEING TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS

the best book I’ve ever read bar none. Totally life changing. Wish I’d read it 20 years ago.