About this item
The author of the widely praised Wordslut analyzes the social science of cult influence: how cultish groups from Jonestown and Scientology to SoulCycle and social media gurus use language as the ultimate form of power.What makes "cults" so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? The reason why so many of us binge Manson documentaries by the dozen and fall down rabbit holes researching suburban moms gone QAnon is because we're looking for a satisfying explanation for what causes people to join - and more importantly, stay in - extreme groups. We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? Amanda Montell's argument is that, on some level, it already has . . .Our culture tends to provide pretty flimsy answers to questions of cult influence, mostly having to do with vague talk of "brainwashing.
About the Author
Amanda Montell is a writer and linguist from Baltimore born in the winter of 1992. She is the author of two nonfiction books: Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism (forthcoming from Harper Wave in June 2021) and the critically acclaimed Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language (Harper Wave, 2019) . Wordslut has earned praise from the New York Times, Kirkus Reviews, and Publisher's Weekly, among others, and Amanda is currently developing the book for television with FX, serving as creator, writer, and executive producer. As a reporter and essayist, Amanda's writing has been featured in Marie Claire, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Nylon, Bustle, The Rumpus, Byrdie, and Who What Wear, where she formerly served as the Features & Beauty Editor. Amanda holds a degree in linguistics from NYU and lives in Los Angeles, where she enjoys learning impractical languages and doting upon her spoiled pets. Find her on Instagram @amanda_montell.
