Note the list of recommended books below. Though I've listed secular books apart from the Christian books, I believe that it is very beneficial to read both the Christian and the secular literature on the subject. The reading helps to awaken your sleeping discernment, so reading the secular literature greatly helps this process. Cialdini's book, the secular choice in the first row is very important, but you can read a short synopsis HERE. I also believe that reading Steven Hassan's "Combating Cult Mind Control" to be very important, as it includes his personal account of his own experience. It's amazing to me to note how very similar his experience is to the experience that one has in thought reform programs in evangelical Christian and Biblical churches that embrace sola scriptura. It is worth taking the time to read. The Lalich books listed on row #2 presents practical information that helps you with the practical, real-life problems that you experience as a result of group membership. It helps you "unmask the guru" or your group leader, deal with the everyday anxieties of living and it includes important information for those who grew up in groups and know nothing else about life outside the group.
(Note that this is just a suggestion of where to start...)
| Christian | Secular | |
| Phase I: First Priority Critical! | The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse (Johnson & VanVonderan)
Or
Healing Spiritual Abuse (Blue) | Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion (Cialdini) Deals with sales techniques that exploit human nature an natural tendencies |
| Phase II: Essential | The Heresy of Mind Control: Recognizing Con Artists in Leadership (Martin) | Take Back Your Life (Lalich) Or (older version of the book might be cheaper) Captive Hearts, Captive Minds: Recovery from Cults and Abusive Relationships (Landau-Tobias and Lalich) |
| Phase III: Personal Accounts | I Cant Hear God Anymore (Duncan) | ** I believe all Christians NEED to read this book! Combating Cult Mind Control (Hassan) |
| Phase IV: Continued Healing | Safe People (Townsend and Cloud) And Families Where Grace is in Place (VanVonderan) | Whose Pulling Your Strings? (Braiker) and The Lucifer Effect (Zimbardo) |