Modern Cults

Grounded in investigative research and real survivor stories, Surviving Modern Yoga uncovers the physical and sexual abuse perpetrated by Ashtanga yoga leader Pattabhi Jois—and reckons with the culture, structures, and mythos that enabled it.

Cults prey on the very attributes that make us human: our desire to belong, to find a deeper meaning in life, to live everyday with divine purpose. Their existence creates a sense that any one of us, at any time, could step off the cliff’s edge and fall into that daunting abyss of manipulation and unhinged dedication to a misplaced cause. Perhaps it’s this mindset that keeps us so utterly obsessed and desperate to learn more, or it’s that the stories are so bizarre and unsettling that we are simply in awe of the mechanics that make these infamous groups tick.

As a secular exorcist, Rachel H. Stavis has cleansed thousands of tormented people, from small children and Hollywood moguls to stay-at-home moms and politicians. But for many years, the horror screenwriter and novelist denied her gift. As a little girl, she began to see "monsters" floating around her bedroom or attached to other children. Told it was only her imagination, Rachel learned to ignore the things she saw. But a series of events in adulthood forced her to acknowledge her unique ability and embrace her power to heal.

The History of Slasher Films: From Cult Classics to Modern Horror Icons is your ultimate guide to one of cinema’s most enduring—and thrilling—genres. Whether you're a longtime horror fan or just discovering the thrill of the Final Girl, this engaging and in-depth book traces the evolution of the slasher film from its early roots in the 1930s to its 21st-century reinvention. Packed with fascinating film history, cultural analysis, iconic characters, and must-watch movie recommendations, this book explores how slasher movies reflect our fears, challenge social norms, and continue to ...

What do we really know about modern practicing polygamists - not fictional ones like the Henrickson family on HBO’s Big Love? We’ve seen the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the news, the underage brides in pioneer dresses on a Texas ranch. But the FLDS is just one of many groups that have broken with mainstream Mormonism to follow those parts of Joseph Smith’s doctrine disavowed by the LDS Church. Gaining unprecedented access to these communities, journalist Sanjiv Bhattacharya reveals a shadow country....

In 1993, David Koresh and a band of heavily armed evangelical Christians took on the might of the US government. A two-month siege of their compound in Waco, Texas, ended in a firefight that killed seventy-six, including twenty-five children. America is still picking up the pieces, and we still haven't heard the full story.

One-on-one with Satan. A chilling and highly convincing account of possession and exorcism in modern America, hailed by NBC Radio as "one of the most stirring books on the contemporary scene."

Utilizing the linguistic insights of her “witty and brilliant” (Blyth Roberson, author of America the Beautiful?) first book Wordslut and the sociological explorations of her breakout hit Cultish, Amanda Montell now turns her erudite eye to the inner workings of the human mind and its biases in her most personal and electrifying work yet.

Belief and Cult argues that belief isn't uniquely Christian but was central to ancient Roman religion. Drawing on cognitive theory, Jacob Mackey shows that despite having nothing to do with salvation or faith, belief underlay every aspect of Roman religious practices—emotions, individual and collective cult action, ritual norms, social reality, and social power. In doing so, he also offers a thorough argument for the importance of belief to other non-Christian religions.

LYRICS EDITION: Features all-new original lyrics and music from the Wynter Wild series “Life is currently on hold while I read the series” - Goodreads reviewer The past taints everything. Wynter has helped to create a safe home with her family. Her music career is taking off with an overseas recording opportunity and a new all-girl rock band. Her brothers could use some help. Indio returns from London and there's a room waiting for him if he'll take it, as well as an old flame in the wings. Caleb has a new chance at love, and Jesse continues his search for the perfect girl. Out of the ...

LYRICS EDITION: Features all-new original lyrics and music from the Wynter Wild series “I honestly am in love with this series. 10/10” - Goodreads reviewer Two hearts yearning As Wynter and Jesse set out on an adventure-filled road trip to rescue Indio from drugs and despair, back home Caleb resolves to take control of his family as once-close relationships deteriorate. Meanwhile in Sacramento, Xay Morant lives with his ailing mother and a whole heap of bitterness over his year spent in the Light. He's doing okay, all things considered. But he's never forgotten the girl from the ashram ...

They Were Watching Me: True Encounters with the Digital Abyss is a chilling anthology of first-person horror stories from those who wandered too deep into the code, clicked the wrong link, or accepted the wrong friend request. Told with eerie realism and paranoid intimacy, these tales of online stalker cults, cursed livestreams, and identity-fracturing AI blur the line between digital safety and modern damnation. What begins as a DM, a strange forum invite, or an archived username quickly unravels into something far more sinister—something watching. Something remembering. Something ...

Ayn Rand and her philosophical school, Objectivism, have had a considerable influence upon American popular culture, yet the true story of her life and work has yet to be told. In this book, Jeff Walker debunks the cult-like following that developed around the author of the classics Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead - a cult that persists even today.

Addictive, gritty, heart-wrenching family drama with mature themes. “breaking my heart and keeping me awake at night” - Facebook reviewer Where does forgiveness begin? A newcomer forces Wynter and her family to reassess their priorities. Meanwhile, her new bestie could be perfect for Jesse, and Xay has an opportunity to chase his rockstar dreams. What could break the strings binding this family together? Caleb, rock-solid, has never faltered… until now. To help him, Indio must find a way through his resentment. With Jesse hiding an impossible secret and Wynter forced into silent ...

The History of Body Horror Films: From Grotesque Origins to Modern Mutation is the ultimate guide for horror lovers, film students, and pop culture enthusiasts who want to dive deep into one of cinema’s most disturbing and thought-provoking subgenres. This comprehensive, 6000-word book explores the evolution of body horror movies from their eerie beginnings in early cinema to their grotesque peaks during the golden age of gore, all the way to their reemergence in today’s era of prestige horror. Discover how visionary directors like David Cronenberg, Shinya Tsukamoto, and Julia Ducournau...

LYRICS EDITION: Features all-new original lyrics and music from the Wynter Wild series Coming home should be easy. Xay Morant, rising rockstar and media darling, has returned to Australia for a whirlwind tour. Every night he steps on stage to make music with the people he loves the most. But something doesn’t feel right. He can fit in anywhere, so why doesn’t he fit in here? His bandmates are dealing with their own challenges. Wynter makes an impossible promise to cover up someone else’s lie. Indio is confronted with a mistake that could change the course of his life. Jesse is ...

LYRICS EDITION: Features all-new original lyrics and music from the Wynter Wild series “A satisfying conclusion to a fabulous, poignant set of books” - Amazon reviewer Is this family strong enough? A mountain hideaway, an eccentric medieval tower, farm animals, homegrown veggies, and music all day long… Wynter’s appearance in her brothers’ lives rocked their world. But something is holding them back from the bright future they’ve worked so hard for. The secret to unraveling the past lies in that off-the-grid commune in southern Arizona where, in her fourteenth year, Wynter met a...

LYRICS EDITION: Features all-new original lyrics and music from the Wynter Wild series “unique and heart wrenching in the best way… the characters are beautiful and raw” - Goodreads reviewer A bittersweet tune… Three years ago Xay left Wynter to face the nightmare alone. She's been searching for him ever since—and now he's found her first. Can he pick up the pieces of a past she's trying to forget? As Wynter and her brothers prepare to head off on tour with their band Rule212, tragedy strikes this already wounded family. Where will they find healing? What readers are saying: “...

Utilizing the linguistic insights of her “witty and brilliant” (Blyth Roberson, author of America the Beautiful?) first book Wordslut and the sociological explorations of her breakout hit Cultish, Amanda Montell now turns her erudite eye to the inner workings of the human mind and its biases in her most personal and electrifying work yet. Montell delves into a cornucopia of the cognitive biases and argues that in the modern information age, our brain’s coping mechanisms have been overloaded, and our irrationality turned up to an eleven.

“Darkcliff is obviously a master storyteller, knowing how to keep the reader riveted the whole time.” - Jason P. Crawford, Amazon reviewer Mortals die easily. Gods must be killed twice. When he moves to Turkey, Braze prevents a suicide attempt and falls for a local girl - two mistakes with horrific consequences. As they plunge into a spiral of madness and depravity, Braze and the beautiful Mehpare understand why that man wanted to kill himself. A mysterious stranger stalks them during the day. At night, evil magic traps them in a temple that should have never been built. Their failing ...