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Don't Call It a Cult: The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of NXIVM

Don't Call It a Cult: The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of NXIVM

by Sarah Berman

Steerforth ·2021 ·336 pages
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82/99

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About This Book

They draw you in with the promise of empowerment, self-discovery, women helping women. The more secretive those connections are, the more exclusive you feel. Little did you know, you just joined a cult. Sex trafficking. Self-help coaching. Forced labor. Mentorship. Multilevel marketing. Gaslighting. Investigative journalist Sarah Berman explores the shocking practices of NXIVM, a cult run by Keith Raniere and many enablers. Through the accounts of central NXIVM figures, Berman uncovers how dozens of women seeking creative coaching and networking opportunities instead were blackmailed, literally branded, near-starved, and enslaved. Don't Call It a Cult is a riveting account of NXIVM's rise to power, its ability to evade prosecution for decades, and the investigation that finally revealed its dark secrets to the world.


Reviews

"Berman's rigorously sourced narrative brings this über-creepy story to life, and by waiting to publish until after the conclusion of Raniere's trial, Berman has produced a more comprehensive account of the case than previous studies."

Publishers Weekly Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Berman's book is full of stories ..."

Joseph Barbato· The New York Journal of Books Read review ↗ Near the Top

"NXIVM has been covered extensively, but Berman sets her work apart with a deep dive into the history and growth of the organization and an empathetic look at the psychology of the victims."

Bart Everts· Library Journal Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"The author incorporates critical narratives from former members, laying bare their awful experiences ..."

Kirkus Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"NXIVM has been the subject of multiple docuseries and podcasts, but investigative journalist Berman's account is a standout."

Michelle Ross· Booklist Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

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