Cult Following: The Extreme Sects That Capture Our Imaginations―and Take Over Our Lives by J. W. Ocker

Cults have long fascinated us. While some of their actions lurk in the shadows, they often lash out in public ways. In Cult Following: The Extreme Sects That Capture Our Imaginations―and Take Over Our Lives, author J. W. Ocker takes readers on a grand tour of 30 cults. At least one was relatively innocuous, but most inflicted horrific abuses on their members and, sometimes, on the general public.

Cult Following is a great introduction and reference for the cults it covers. In such short sections, Ocker manages to pack in a lot of information in his unique--often comic--voice. Additionally, Ocker investigates what exactly is a cult and what are the different kinds of cults.

Those looking for a sampling of both the infamous and the lesser known cults will find new information or, at the very least a refresher as only an expert would know all 30 cults discussed. The books' clear organization also helps it's reread value.

Cult Following: The Extreme Sects That Capture Our Imaginations―and Take Over Our Lives by J. W. Ocker, Quirk Books