“Little did you know, you just joined a cult.” 

If you’re like me, the word cult elicits images of black and white Nikes, Rodenstock sunglasses, mass weddings, koolaid (flavor aid), Tom Cruise jumping on a couch, and overall a general sense of something of the past. 

But what if I told you there’s an estimate that 10,000 cults are active today? Millions of people worldwide have been and are actively involved in cults. 

I remember when the news started to break about NXIVM and Keith Raniere in 2018 after former members asked for an investigation into the group. The news stories were coming in waves and getting more bizarre as new information was coming forward; an actresses, an heiress, a branding ritual. It. Was. Wild. 

Don’t Call It A Cult by Sarah Berman is by far the most comprehensive summary of NXIVM you can find, and I’ll tell you once you fall down the rabbit hole you’ll have a hard time putting this one down. 

Berman does a great job giving a whack load of background info in less than 300 pages, so even for a reader who may not have an in depth knowledge of cults/ cult characteristics you’ll get a crash course in the 101s. You’ll get a comprehensive timeline of all the players and survivors presented in an easy to read straight forward manner that will suck you in. Berman really captures the essence of a cult and how easily some people can be swayed to join. 

After reading this one you’ll wonder how many people you know are currently in a cult or a group with cult-like behaviours. It’s a good reminder to keep your dad on speed dial because you never know when you might be recruited into a cult.