CULTS on TRIAL: A Cross-Examination of Jim Jones, Charles Manson, Hitler… and Donald Trump received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Lance Moore.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
CULTS on TRIAL: A Cross-Examination of Jim Jones, Charles Manson, Hitler… and Donald Trump, pub. 2/12/2024
What’s the book’s first line?
From the Preface: “Maybe narcissists are all too common.”
From Chapter One: “Out of the blue, a middle-aged married couple bobbed up at my church office for counseling.” [They were ex-cultists.]
What’s the book about?
Daily headlines make it clear: our culture faces a social, spiritual, and political crisis of trust. As traditional institutions fade or fail, unscrupulous leaders, and cult leaders in particular, are filling the void. Cults on Trial offers an engaging resource for awakening the public to the dangers—with a checklist of “traits and tactics” of manipulators—and discusses possible solutions.
What inspired you to write the book?
I’ve studied the phenomenon of cults most of my professional life. When I witnessed a political demagogue engage his followers using the same traits and tactics as “traditional” religious-cult leaders, I took notice.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
These are serious concerns for our society, our democracy, and for local communities. Becoming aware of the red flags and the methods of manipulation employed by cult leaders can help us all—not only to “beware” of cults but also to “be aware” of how even in smaller, interpersonal relationships (in our workplaces, in the home, in social settings) some of these dynamics can play out.
When did you first decide to become an author?
In Junior High English class, I enjoyed writing short stories, and my English teacher took me aside and actually told me I had a gift.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
This is my ninth—on a variety of topics. Half with traditional publishers, half self-published. My advice on publishing: try both. It’s harder than ever to land a “New York” publisher, and easier than ever to self-publish. Both have benefits. To state the obvious: gleaning the much-larger royalty-percentage that comes with self-publishing requires a huge commitment to self-marketing. And the truth is, most publishers now expect YOU to do the bulk of the marketing for your own book; the days of a “Santa Claus publisher” who delivers ready-made success in a magic bag are gone.