Cults Like Us: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America
By (Author) Jane Borden
Atria Books
Atria Books
18th June 2025
United States
General
Non Fiction
Cultural studies
Social and cultural anthropology
Psychoanalytical and Freudian psychology
306.0973
Hardback
304
Width 152mm, Height 229mm, Spine 28mm
458g
For readers of Fantasyland and Cultish, a colorful and enlightening pop history that explains why the eccentric doomsday beliefs of our Puritan founders are still driving American culture today, contextualizes the current rise in far-right extremism as a natural result of our latent indoctrination, and proposes that the United States is the largest cult of all.
Since the Mayflower sidled up to Plymouth Rock, cult ideology has been ingrained in the DNA of the United States. In this eye-opening book, journalist Jane Borden argues that Puritan doomsday belief never went away; it went secular and became American culture. From our fascination with cowboys and superheroes to our allegiance to influencers and self-help, susceptibility to advertising, and undying devotion to the self-made man, Americans remain particularly vulnerable to a specific brand of cult-like thinking.
With in-depth research and compelling insight, Borden uncovers the American history you didnt learn in school, including how we are still being brainwashed, making us a nation of easy marks for con artists and strong men. Along the way, she also revisits some of the most fascinating cults in this countryincluding, the Mankind United and Love Has Wonpresenting them as integral parts of our national psyche rather than aberrations.
"A fresh, provocative view of cults and those who love them."
Kirkus
"Jane Bordens exploration of America as a nation powered by cults couldnt be sharper, funnier, or more timely."
BethMacy,New York Timesbestselling author ofDopesick
"Jane Borden has turned years of rigorous research into an engrossing, unputdownable narrative. Anyone interested in cults, religious studies, or their own relationship to belonging should consider this book canon."
Amanda Montell,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Age of Magical Overthinking
"With wit and verve, Jane Borden walks you through America's cultish past.Cults Like Usexplores history from the Puritans to the Oneida community to the current age to show how Americans have been susceptible to the most extremeand sometimes most irrationalbeliefs."
Jennifer Wright, author ofMadame Restell
"The fear and loss of confidence we are experiencing in U.S. governance has been disorienting. This book is a prelude to healing. It illuminates the heart of the matter."
Robert Johnson, President of the Institute for New Economic Thinking
"Borden beautifully explains how cultish ideologies continue to hold our national psyche."
Jane Marie, author ofSelling the Dream
"I'm grateful for all the work Jane Borden has done to inform people about how deeply rooted group think is in our culture."
India Oxenberg, author ofStill Learningand producer of the documentary seriesSeduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult
Jane Borden is an author and culture journalist. She is the author ofCults Like UsandI Totally Meant to Do That. Her work has been featured inVanity Fair, TheNew York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, and other publications. She lives in Los Angeles. Find out more at JaneBorden.com.