Synopsis

For readers of Fantasyland and Cultish, a colorful and enlightening 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 didnt 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 countryincluding, the Mankind United and Love Has Wonpresenting them as integral parts of our national psyche rather than aberrations.

About The Author

Jane Borden is an author and culture journalist. She is the author ofCults Like UsandI Totally Meant to Do That. Her work has been featured inVanity Fair, TheNew York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, and other publications. She lives in Los Angeles. Find out more at JaneBorden.com.