The Followers: “Holy Hell” and the Disciples of Narcissistic Leaders: How My Years in a Notorious Cult Parallel Today’s Cultural Mania Paperback – June 2, 2021

The Followers grabbed my attention, and held my fascination, while learning what influences a cult member mindset and the power of groupthink. The book was a page turner for sure, as Radhia Gleis made me laugh with her biting humor, and cry as she led me through the raw and vulnerable ins and outs of someone whose personal life conditioning predisposes them to be accepting of a cult for 25 years of her adult life. Her unabashed frankness examines how cult leaders capitalize on vulnerable individuals and draw them into their clutches using the tried-and-true tactics of a narcissistic psychopath. Comparing her life experience, and the various characteristics we see today, particularly in the United States provides a compassionate warning to be aware of the dangers of narcissistic leaders and the cult followings they build within societies. This book is not about politics or policy but about pathology and the reason, in the right set of circumstances, we may all be vulnerable to the deceitful web of a malignant narcissist.

This book was one I did not want to end. It is beautifully written in a manner we all can grasp. Radhia is a gifted, well-read, talented author. She adds humor, wit, and is brutally & unflinchingly honest in her writing. You will laugh with her to the point you're laughing out loud. Other times you'll feel great compassion in all she & others endured. Her writing reflects a way of life that most will never know or understand and what it finally took for her to come to terms with leaving -- to come back to herself and begin to reshape her future. I found the book fascinating. It will surely not disappoint you should you come to read it. Thank you Radhia for giving a voice to everything. A wonderful read, very thought provoking as well as educational.

I received this book as a gift and LOVED it so much that I ordered two to give away as gifts. The book was hilarious at times, frightening at times, and sad at times. I found it to be insightful through and through, raw, honest, witty, delightfully irreverent, well researched, and extremely eye-opening. Because of her personal, up-close experience and insight, Radhia was able to expose on some alarming parallels and perils within our world and lives that an individual without an otherwise deep understanding of the subject might never see. I recommend that everyone read this book. Especially if you think you have never, would never, or could never succumb to the powers of a narcissistic sociopath, cult thinking, or cult-like behavior in some form or other. The belief that you are impervious might just be shattered.

I was drawn to read this book because it promised understanding of why people get caught up with narcissists and charismatic leaders, as well as clarifying how it relates to today's social situation. It delivered on those expectations. I did feel the author got carried away a bit with her Trump put downs, even though I share her dismay of his methods and following.

Hypnotic and harrowing, is how I would characterize the story Radhia relates in a poignant and intimate description of the intertwining of cultural and political factors have led to her involvement in a cult, as well as how that involvement has given her insight into the emergence of the Q anon/Trump world view. The ability of Radhia to weave humor into the often heartbreaking and tragic events gives the reader an insight into the web that narcissistic sociopaths use to control people.The book is a moving, highly readable, firsthand account of the influences that led her into the cult, and draws similarities to the American political division existing today. Radhia’s account is comprehensive, starting at the beginning, when she opened her life and showed the dysfunction existing in American families, then leading her to the cult. Great read in the complex and divisive times in which we live.

I was hooked from the start. I bought the book because I wanted to understand how one gets drawn into a cult movement. The author is authentic and forthright sharing her personal history and experiences. The topic I didn't expect was the historical background of the cult-like mentality materializing now

This powerful book is well crafted and very well researched. But most importantly, it comes from the first hand experience of someone who knows what it is to follow a leader blindly. Radhia Glies entered a community as a young person with all the hopes and idealism of youth. She bought into a dream, that after many years turned into a nightmare.With the insight and experience of one who followed blindly, she has watched the current political situations and found frightening similarities to the slavish following of a narcissist hell-bent on his own power, regardless of the needs of the people who he promised to serve.This book needs to be read! It’s comparisons will chill you and will open your eyes!

I have read The Followers AND listened to it on Audible. It is the author's personal account of how regular people can find themselves in a cult without even being aware of it, simply in their search for meaning and connection in a superficial world. I can totally relate to this book in so many ways. The writing is intelligent, vulnerable, humorous, and compassionate, but I really loved the audible version in Radhia’s voice. I laughed out loud and yet so many parts of her raw and personal story made me cry. The parallels to present-day cults of personality are unmistakable. This is such an important book in these confusing and uncertain times.