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Zealot

A book about cults

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Zealot

By: Jo Thornely
Narrated by: Jo Thornely
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About this listen

 'a smart, daring and refreshing book.' - Weekend Australian

'deliciously sinister' - Herald Sun

Why would anyone join a cult?

Maybe they're unhappy with their current religion, or they want to change the world, or they're disappointed with their lives and want to find something bigger or holier that makes sense of this confusing, chaotic and dangerous world. Or maybe they just want to give themselves the best possible chance of having sex with aliens.

Whatever the reason, once people are in, it's usually very difficult for them to leave. Cults have ways of making their followers do loopy, dangerous stuff to prove their loyalty, and in return they get a chance to feel secure within the cult's embrace, with an added bonus of being utterly terrified of the outside world.

From the tragic JONESTOWN Kool-Aid drinkers to the Australian cult THE FAMILY to the fiery Waco climax of THE BRANCH DAVIDIANS, this book is a wide-sweeping look at cults around the world, from the host of the popular podcast ZEALOT.

'a piss-taker of rare boldness.' - Weekend Australian Religious Studies True Crime Funny Witty

Critic Reviews

prose where every sentence is alive with individuality and intelligence. ... She has opened the creaking lid of the vampire's coffin and let in a good old blast of fresh daylight.
Written with a wonderfully irreverent sense of humour, the book has a serious aim, to instil irreverence in the reader, because, after all, an excess of reverence was what got many of these cult members into danger in the first place and then kept them there.
All stars
Most relevant
I can’t rate this book highly enough. As a huge fan of comedic writing and cults, this book marks all the boxes for me. Jo’s podcast introduced me to the book, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the welcome distraction from life that both educated and amuses. I spent so much time simultaneously laughing and being very concerned about cults that my brain still feels conflicted. Everyone should check this book out.

Cults? Check. Comedy? Check.

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An entertaining book, researched in depth with fascinating detail, it offers an immensely interesting look into the world of cults. Sprinkled liberally with perfectly appropriate Aussie humour, I enjoyed this book greatly. Well read by the author too. I’m looking forward to listening this book a second time soon.

An entertaining, informative and enjoyable experience

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If you're looking for a fun, and lighthearted pop history on several infamous cults, look no further.
Jo's tone is comic and informal as she waxes lyrical about some profoundly awful events.

Narration by the author is a huge plus, capturing the comic timing.

If this is what you're looking for, you'll have a great time. Those seeking rigorous academic texts, perhaps less so.

Fun and light, considering the subject

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This book boldly combines a fascinating and well researched account of some the most bizarre and "successful" cults with an unbelievably refreshing-and totally appropriate-comedic delivery that defies all political correctness. Ms Thornely has invented what to me is an exciting new genre. Part of my fascination with these cults is their common DNA with other, more conventional religions-just as bizarre and irrational as "mainstream" religions, but perhaps featuring aliens instead of angels. In learning about the creepy cult leaders, we recognize oft repeated patterns of behaviour that are elemental to human nature. This is both riveting and unsettling. Well done Jo Thornely!

Great!

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If, like me, you’re fascinated by cults, I highly recommend “Zealot” by Jo Thornely. Written like a kind of “cults101”, it’s written in a humorous, irreverent style that made me actually laugh out loud at several points. Language is a little NSFW at times so be warned 🙂

Jo narrated her own audiobook, which isn’t always a great choice but she reads it really well.

The Raelians may be my new fav cult.

Laugh out loud funny and fascinating

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