The Psychology of Secrets: My Adventures with Murderers, Cults and Influencers

by Andrew Gold

Cult leaders, murderers, psychopaths – and you. Take a deep dive into the bizarre psychology of secrecy with Andrew Gold, award-winning investigative journalist and host of On the Edge With Andrew Gold. We all keep secrets. 97 per cent of us are hiding a secret right now, and on average we each hold thirteen at any one time. There’s a one-in-two chance that those secrets involve a breach of trust, a lie or a financial impropriety. They are the stuff of gossip, of novels and of classic dramas; secrets form a major part of our hidden inner lives.Andrew Gold knows this better than anyone. As a public figure, he has found himself the unwitting recipient of hundreds of strangers' most private revelations. This set him on a journey to understand this critical part of our societies and lives. Why do we keep secrets? Why are we fascinated by those of others? What happens to our mind when we confess?Drawing from psychology, history, social science, philosophy and personal interviews, The Psychology of Secrets is a rollicking journey through the history of secrecy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, True Crime, Cults, Audiobook, History

336 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2024

About the author

Andrew Gold is an investigative journalist, podcaster and filmmaker who has made and presented documentaries for the BBC and HBO. He presents the popular podcast Heretics, where he has interviewed Richard Dawkins, Jon Ronson and David Baddiel amongst many others. His documentary on exorcism won several international festival awards and his research in Germany won a prestigious Whicker Award in 2021. The Psychology of Secrets is his first book.

Reviews

[Wardibonlang Pakma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really one who reads NF (I pick up one every five years), but this book was really engaging. I was made aware of so many things that happened in the world and it was chilling and intriguing at the same time. Who would have thought the whole concept of secrets could be very thought provoking? The author did an amazing job with the delivery and it was evident how much research has been put out into this one (hats off). Would definitely read more books by the author.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always incredibly nerve-wracking when you read a book that you absolutely love, because when it comes to writing the review, you want to give it the justice it deserves.

When I say love, I’m not sure if that’s the right word for how I feel about this book, because I don’t think you can “love” any of the topics discussed in it. Perhaps a better phrase would be ✨utterly captivated✨.

“The Psychology of Secrets” takes readers on a gripping exploration through the intriguing worlds of murderers, cults and influencers (to name a few), shedding light on the complex interplay of secrets and human behaviour, and unravelling the mysteries that lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.

What truly sets this book apart is its remarkable depth of research, and Gold’s ability to weave together compelling narratives that are as enlightening as they are enthralling. With each chapter, I found myself drawn deeper into the intricate web that secrets create, from the mesmerising allure of cult leaders, to the subtle yet powerful effects of social media influencers.

The prose is nothing short of exceptional - rich in detail, yet accessible and engaging, making the most complex psychological concepts readily understandable.

Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast of psychology and true crime, or just getting started, “The Psychology of Secrets” is sure to leave a lasting impression. From the chilling to the downright bizarre, this book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish…it’s a damn fine read, and a must-have for your shelf.

“The Psychology of Secrets” by Andrew Gold will be published on the 11th April by Pan MacMillan.

Thanks again to book break for my advance readers copy.

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a compelling book about secrets: why we keep them, what kinds there are, how they intersect with lies, and concealing shameful ones. The author is a podcaster whose fans sometimes feel the need to confess their darkest secrets and fears to him. It led him to study the nature of them and how they function in everyday life. Since so many characters need to keep secrets in novels, this is a great book for writers in helping develop motivation. I am not sure if /when it is coming to the US, but I hope American readers will get a chance to experience the book.

[David Healy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weirdly, the next book on my list is about why podcasters think they can write books.

[Na kávu s Terezou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Čekala jsem, že mě to bude bavit mnohem víc.
Ale četla jsem to víc ja měsíc, to mluví samo o sobě.

[Johnny Lynas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Turns out the author is one of the most insane alt-right conspiracy theorists around - if irony was book, this would be it.

[Furciferous Quaintrelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU DON'T WANT TO LEARN ABOUT HOW CAT-DICK BROWSED THE WORLD'S ENTIRE ARCHIVE OF WEBSITES IN JUST ONE WEEKEND? LIAR! NEXT YOU’LL BE TELLING ME THAT YOU DON’T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE TIME ANDREW GOT BUNDLED INTO A CUPBOARD WITH A BUNCH OF HEAVIES & INTERROGATED BY AN EXORCIST IN ARGENTINA! Pfft. Philistine!

Ahem...sorry about that, but if you know, you know. And if you don't, well you probably kinda want to know; even if you're loath to admit it to yourself - never mind anyone else.

First off, thank you Andrew Gold for giving me a solid 5-star read to bring in the New Year. Whilst I'd assumed that I would like this book, based on the premise as outlined in the blurb, I didn't anticipate just how much the topic would entertain me, inform me & leave me wanting to know ever more. And that's all down to Andrew, whose ability to balance sensitive topics with more light hearted tales, is matched only by his immediately engaging writing style.

Of course I knew who Andrew was before going into this book. I've been watching his 'Heretics' channel on YouTube for over a year now (I think it was originally branded as 'On The Edge' prior to my having discovered his content, and I know he’s also made award winning documentaries & done other stuff in the past, but I only learned of all this quite recently). However, it feels as though I've known about him much longer because of the amount content he's been consistently putting out in that time. For those who aren't familiar with his show, here is what's posted in the 'About' page:

"Fallen BBC presenter Andrew Gold believes we're in an age of group-think and tribes, and need heretics - those who use unconventional wisdom to speak out against their own groups, from cancelled comedians and radical feminists to cult defectors and vigilantes hunting deviants. This is YouTube for intelligent adults capable of plurality of opinion and considered dissent."

The production is slick (and I mean that with the greatest respect), the guests are all fascinating, and Andrew is just the perfect, unassuming, kindly host who knows how to give each guest the exact right amount of attentive listening, encouragement & time to speak at length about their particular story. He is utterly charming, self-deprecating & just seems able to intuit how best to get the most out of an important conversation. It's not that he's pressurising his guests to reveal more than they are comfortable sharing: he's giving them room to breathe & the opportunity to tell as much or as little as they want to, in a neutral environment with a non-judgmental host at the helm. Yes, he’s using well established techniques and has created a set-up that he hopes will get the most out of his guests, but it’s not obvious to the average viewer that he’s as clued up as he really is. That’s not because he’s being dishonest or unethical. He just knows how to get the best out of his guests and it’s why I find his interviews/conversations so fascinating.

I include all that because, like I said, I knew who Andrew was before purchasing this book. I've had it for a few months, and despite it sounding like a bit of fun, I wasn't necessarily expecting it to be 'out of this world'. Not because I didn't think Andrew capable of delivering a good product, but because I had somehow assumed that this book was a quickly put together tie-in that could be released in time for those Christmas present buyers who want a safe bet that they can gift to a friend or family member, or colleague. OH HOW WRONG I WAS! He's been compared to Jon Ronson (whose book The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry I thoroughly enjoyed) and there IS a similarity to both authors' approach to writing. (Described as a gonzo journalist - becoming a faux-naïf character in his books - Ronson himself has produced informal but sceptical investigations into various controversial areas within politics and science. So you can see why many people would be inclined to draw comparisons.)

And I know that this is just one (hopefully the first of many more to come) published book by Andrew, compared to the ~10 titles Ronson has released, but, y'know what?

I actually think this book of Andrew’s is better.

Maybe it's because of some kind of confirmation bias inherent in me: ostensibly there to prevent my fragile ego from allowing myself to admit that I didn't like the book as much as I wanted to, after having watched hours of Andrew's content (even going so far as to "click the bell icon" as instructed!) and being unable to accept that one of my favourite YouTubers had written a mediocre book? I mean, it's possible...but I don't think that's the case here. (And in case anyone is wondering, no I have never spoken with Andrew, or even exchanged any messages with him on Twitter. The most I have done is leave positive comments on a handful of his videos, mostly thanking the featured guest for agreeing to come and speak on the 'Heretics' show. There is no parasocial relationship at play here. I am not one of the 'Edge Hogs'. I'm just someone who enjoys Andrew's content and when I find something I like, I want to share that thing with as many other people as possible.)

The truth is, Andrew is a seasoned investigative journalist who has interviewed some really crazy, interesting, intelligent and brave people from all over the world. He's studied cults extensively, tagged along with an Argentinian "exorcist" (this was the documentary that he received an award for) and over the years found himself both at the top end of the media totem pole (I'm so glad he's not with the BBC any more) and out then on his own, hunting down fascinating characters and delivering his own personal brand of professional-yet-relatable reportage.

He knows what he's doing because he's been doing it for so long. But he also has a natural affinity for getting people to open up to him (the first chapter detailing some of the wild secrets that strangers have divulged to him, really gets the book off to flying start). You can practice your chat-show technique for years, meticulously research your subjects/guests beforehand, and study others who work in a similar field to try to get yourself fully prepared to take on the role of interviewer-cum-trusted-confidante, but if you lack that natural mixture of skill, curiosity, humility & charm , you'll only ever be a poor facsimile of those whose influence made you want to try it out for yourself. Or, to quote Mr Gold himself:

"The best talk show hosts are enigmatic paradoxes, managing to somehow appear both intense and relaxed; friendly and out-of-reach."

Andrew definitely has the friendly/likeability factor. It comes across in his YouTube videos, and it also comes across just as well in this book. It became immediately apparent to me that this wasn't just some hastily thrown together PopPsy title, published purely to make a fast buck. This study of secrets is obviously something that genuinely fascinates him and his enthusiasm for the subject shines through in every single chapter. (And some of the chapters are a pretty intense read.)

I don't often talk about pacing in non-fiction books, but there is a well-crafted rhythm employed throughout TPOS, that allows each chapter to function like a song of verses, choruses, cadences, key-changes and some surprising high notes that build to something of a crescendo towards the end. And forgive me for labouring the musical metaphor even more, but the entire book comes together like a concept album, with through-lines and cross-references, themes and leitmotifs connecting each separate chapter, where all the individual elements come together to then create something far greater than the sum of its parts. (Obviously some credit has to go to his first readers and editors for helping to shape this book, so I will also give a big thumbs up to those involved in getting this to print!)

It's a skilfully executed undertaking, far superior to so many of these other non-fiction titles (battling it out for a good spot on *those* tables at the front of Waterstones: you know the ones I'm on about) and I just worry that not enough people will have been encouraged to pick it up - probably in part due to Andrew's many enlightening chats with several 'detransitioners' who have been through absolute hell. Because when the literary world is littered with leftists, places like Goodreads are likely to offer little in the way of promoting 'The Psychology Of Secrets', because the uber-woke GR members will immediately see anything 'detransition' related as "Transphobic Hate Speech", and do all they can to push the book down in the rankings. This is a damned shame and I’m going to recommend this book to everyone I can, because I want it to do well, and I really want to read the other books that Andrew has waiting in the wings. (And if anyone is wondering whether or not Andrew touches on any of the more divisive subjects that he covers on his channel, please let me assure you that this is just a book about secrets, the way we all conceal them, have them revealed to us, the problems this can cause and how some of the biggest secrets known to human beings on the planet have affected the lives of the individuals who live among us, as well as greater numbers of people around the world. It's a very sensitively handled exploration of this aspect of the human condition and I truly believe that almost anyone will find this book incredibly interesting and deeply relatable.)

[NB: If you've gotten this far and found any of my review even remotely interesting, I implore you (especially if you've never seen any episodes of 'Heretics') to watch one of the most impactful conversations on Andrew's channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk7NX7iPr9k&t=62s&ab_channel=andrewgold%7Cheretics.

Even though I'd exchanged a few tweets with Ritchie after some of his other appearances on various podcasts, nothing prepared me for how emotional this episode would render me. It's such an important video that I try to get as many people as I can to watch it. Andrew allowed Ritchie to just relax into the conversation, where he shared a lot of painful, personal information, in the hope that it might stop just one other person from ruining themselves for life. Please, if you can watch it, I guarantee that y'all will end up truly impressed. Andrew just took more of a back seat, giving Richie free reign to speak as he wished - and by doing so, ended up with a powerfully honest, important piece of media that put a personal face on a very real, serious issue, that has infested the western world. If you don't end up loving Ritchie by the end, you have absolutely no soul. This is not related to this book in any way, I just wanted to include it because it’s a great example of how Andrew can give his guests room to speak, think, relax and open up in a totally non-threatening environment.]

"Part of the job is to make the audience feel like they are the host's friend. They do this by revealing secret and private snippets of their own lives, meaning that the line is blurred between their professional and private life."

Andrew uses this approach in this book, just as he does in his online conversations by tactically inserting a few personal stories, which genuinely had me laughing out loud, stopping to read them out to the other half on at least a half dozen occasions. I’m not going to reveal them here, but this particular sentence was the hilarious culmination of one of those anecdotes:

"Medusa on fire still burns peroxide-white in my retinas today."

You’re going to have to read the book yourself to find out what this is all about. I know. Y’all are probably thinking that I really haven’t said much about the content of the book itself, right? Well, aside from not wanting to be someone who ruins a good book by giving spoilers, it’s a book about secrets: I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. (For legal reasons, I must state that this is a joke, and I have no intention to kill...again.)

On a more serious note though, this book touches upon some of the elements found in Andrew's previous work: creating documentaries, studying cults and trying to find out what really makes people do crazy things. Why do people believe insane stories & go to the ends of the earth to defend what (to the rest of us) look like nothing more than rather weird ideas/practices/beliefs? He expands upon the initial topic of “secret keeping” to pull together examples of very secretive religions, cults and corporations, interspersed various individuals who hold some incredibly big secrets. He references the research data that have been collected on the subject of secret keeping, whilst also taking time to go into the difference between privacy & secrecy, along with their often dangerous sidekick: lies.

Secrets in & of themselves aren’t necessarily a bad thing. We all have them. Some of us have more serious ones, whereas others are holding onto information that if released to the public, probably wouldn’t make anyone so much as blink. It’s what the secret means to us and how, if revealed, it could alter our own social standing, affect relationships, cause issues at work, or in the worst case...bring the internet down upon you, call for your cancellation and make you public enemy number one, for the next 72 hours. Some of us are compelled to tell others our secrets, whilst others are almost magnets for other people to come and confess to us.

[I’m definitely in the latter group there. I’m the kind of person people just open up to (for some ungodly reason. But I have to tell friends that whilst I am largely the kind of person they can entrust their secrets to, I have my stipulations: if your secret involves cheating on your partner, I’m not going to keep it. If it involves hurting or exploiting a child or vulnerable person, I will go directly to the police. If you’ve hurt an animal, I’m probably going to have someone beat the living daylights out of you, remove your animals from your property & then report you to the police and animal welfare. Some secrets are just not mean to be kept. But everything else? I’ll take ‘em with me to the grave. And I’ll just sit and listen to those who simply need to get something off their chest. Conversely, I only share anything personal with my other half. But I’m a very boring middle-aged woman whose wild times are decades behind me - and none of them involved secrets that I feel I need to hold onto. I really don’t ruminate on anything (other than the current political climate & all the insane ways in which so many western countries have just allowed millions of migrants to flood the country, palms outstretched, only to be given free accommodation, food, clothes, iPhones, spending money, doctors & dentists on site etc...that shit has me fuming every time I think about it) so because of that, I’m a very happy person who when drunk, doesn’t get weepy or aggressive...I giggle, I fall over a bit, I apologise to everyone for being a bit of a mess & then I pass out.]

Anyway, I’m starting to ramble now. But that’s only because I really loved this book & I really want more people to read it. Even if you don’t know who Andrew is, but you enjoy the kind of human interest reportage which shines a light on a subject we can all relate to - only with slightly more extreme personal stories & access to certain places that we’d love to be able to see for ourselves. It’s fun, it’s funny, it’s moving & it’s also quite shocking in places. But overall, it was a great book to read this early on in the year. It entertained me & taught me a few things about subjects I didn’t know...and it was just a lot of fun to be taken on this little trip through the world of secrets with Andrew who is a natural born storyteller and a genuinely likeable guy.

Oh, and to the publishers who didn’t want to publish his other book for fear it might be too controversial: RELEASE THE MANUSCRIPT!! I want to read it & I’m sure a lot of other people want to see it too. But I’m confident Andrew has another few books in him, so even if the aforementioned samizdat only ever sees the light of day via another medium, I’m sure there will be more books on the horizon in the not too distant future. And in the meantime, I’ll be checking in with Andrew’s ‘Heretics’ channel on the regular, because I know he’ll be having some brilliant chats with incredibly interesting, diverse characters; some of whom will be exposing and discussing what once would have been considered to be some hugely controversial secrets.

A 5-star read for me. Just go and read it. And go watch ‘Heretics’. You won’t be disappointed.

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Quick update on my second read through - 01/06/25: I've been out & about a bit recently and had to do a lot of waiting around in places, so I wanted to have a book with me that I could keep picking up & putting down, without fearing I'd lose where I was in a new plot, or forget an important detail that something factual hinged upon. So I opted to re-read this book which I originally read right at the beginning of this year. I knew that I would still remember enough of it to maintain my ability to follow along despite however many times I was having to put the book to one side. And it turned out to be just as funny & entertaining & interesting and bizarre as it was the first time around. Andrew's deadpan humour in the face of some terrifyingly batshit or brutally bleak secrets being revealed to him, always hits just the right note. He's not mocking those who are in some rather unfortunate situations, but neither is he trying to pretend as though the situation unfolding in front of him isn't completely insane. He's just really good at what he does.

I'm a little disappointed however that the book hasn't been read & reviewed as much as I think it ought to have been. But then, by being a 'Heretic' Andrew is going to continue to find himself either completely shunned by those who would have loved this style of book & it's contents therein (had it been written by someone who toes the line enough to remain one of the darlings of the MSM) or just completely overlooked by those who would happily have bought & read it, if only there had been more of an effort on the part of his publisher to actually bother to promote & market the damn thing, as opposed to them seemingly just hoping that once sent out into the world it would go away.

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Pran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plenty of interesting ideas but skims over them too quickly. The stories feel more like shock value than deep analysis, and many topics go unexplored. Likely more engaging for newcomers to psychology, but if you already understand areas like cult psychology, it doesn’t add much.

[Patient Indigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun!
I hope Andrew (or his publishers) are able to lean into Andrew’s ability to tease out and write thoughtful and engaging human interest stories. This is definitely where the book shone.
I hope Andrew has the stamina to revisit some of the concepts regarding secrets and self identity in the context of social media. We don’t know where we will be and where the lines will have been crossed and redrawn in the next 10, 15 or even 20 years. It would be interesting to continue to build upon this as time goes on.
I will as an Australian consuming this via audiobook report that Andrew’s Australian accent is terrible - it sounded like terrible kiwi in some parts 😂 luckily I’m a fan and forgiving.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

Funny, witty, and incredibly thought provoking.

Some of this was by no means an easy read but it was such an interesting look into how and why we keep secrets, and what the results are on both our minds and bodies.
A lot of this was information already familiar to me, which made it feel oddly refreshing as I got to see old knowledge in a new light.

I must admit I didn’t know about Andrew Gold’s podcast before this but after this I think I might have a look around!

Be careful going into the latter half of this one just because the content gets VERY stressful, but it’s definitely one to check out!

Thank you so much to the publisher for a free copy in exchange for my honest review!

[A M Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the subtitle is more accurate here than the main title. If you are interested in the psychology of secrets then I think you will be disappointed. If you want to read about Andrew's investigations and his youtube/podcast channel then this is a great book.

Ultimately Andrew uses the loose theme of secrets to organise the book. He looks at how cults use secrets, why people in general use secrets, the impact on people knowing secrets, how podcasters/ YouTubers use secrets etc etc. The end result is a book that is always engaging and sometimes very interesting. He writes in a nice style, engaging, witty, not too formal and not too casual.

Overall I enjoyed it.

[Melissa Howes · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic read

I love heretics and Andrew’s podcast is the one I binge listen to. His book lived up to my expectations of a well researched, interesting and fascinating look at secrets. Highly recommend!!

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing listen! Very entertaining , lots of research. Andrew mentions in the bonus that one of the chapters was in fact, a whole book. I wonder about the things this author knows related to that topic that we remain ignorant .. maybe for the best. Great work!

[Charlotte De Klerck · Rating 5 out of 5]

6* - This was fkn brilliant !!!

Covered the most fascinating topics from cults to non-offending paedophiles to influencers. Bloody fascinating and data-rich.

[Nathaly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew je ako novinár a podcaster zvyknutý na to, že sa mu ľudia zdôverujú. Prečo sa so svojimi tajomstvami zdôveruje ľahšie neznámej osobe ako tým, ktorých poznáme? Prečo nedokážeme udržať vlastné tajomstvo? Prečo si myslíme, že ho udržia druhí a ako to v konečnom dôsledku ovplyvňuje vzťahy? V tejto knihe je veľa pátrania a nachádzania odpovedí medzi historikmi, sociológmi a psychiatrami. Autor sa bližšie pozrel na ľudstvo a zistil, že v spoločnosti sa toto správanie vyskytovalo odjakživa. Že je to blízke nášmu druhu. A odpovede na otázky, ktoré nás aspoň jedenkrát počas života trápili, nájdeme v tomto diele, ktoré je komplexné. Andrew tu popísal vlastné zážitky, no aj skúsenosti iných osôb, ktoré sa plynule prelínali s historickými súvislosťami a vedeckými štúdiami.

Dielo mi pomohlo. Už roky mám problém s tým, že ľuďom veľmi (ne)dôverujem a potom to často dopadne katastrofálne. Buď im príliš verím, alebo neverím vôbec, takže sa vo mne bijú dva extrémy. Vďaka tejto knihe som zistila, že je to zakódované v samotnej ľudskej povahe a nič s tým nenarobím. Gold sa však na túto zvláštnosť pozrel z rôznych uhlov. Na konkrétnych príkladoch z histórie alebo zo súčasného života pomocou odborníkov vysvetľuje, čo poháňa toto správanie, prečo idú tajomstvá ruka v ruke s klamstvami, čo robí prezradenie tajomstva so psychikou a či naozaj existujú milosrdné lži, a mnoho ďalšieho.

Autor sa zameral na kresťanstvo, sekty, vrahov, influencerov a objasňuje nám, prečo majú všetci tajomstvá. Netají sa tým, že je ateista, v niektorých častiach je to citeľné. Psychológia tajomstiev bola napriek tomu veľmi hodnotná a plná zaujímavých, no aj temných informácií, ktoré vám budú dávať zmysel len vtedy, keď sa na udalosti a ľudské správanie pozriete tak celistvo ako Gold. Zbožňujem knihy, ktoré mi takto podrobne vysvetľujú ľudské správanie. Nemala som žiadne očakávania, no spracovanie ma napokon milo prekvapilo. Ani neuveríte, čo všetko objavíte. Hrôzostrašné priznania aj humorné momenty sú iba štipkou toho, čo dostanete.

Zatiaľ najlepšia kniha tohto roka.

[Paul Sutter]

Secrets are something that many of us have kept at least once during our lives. Chances are there are multiple times you have kept something from someone because you were afraid of the consequences if the truth emerged. In fact, according to statistics, any one of us hold as many as thirteen secrets at any one time.
In this fascinating book from Andrew Gold, THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SECRETS, he does a very deep dive into the world where secrecy has ruled, and people are affected deeply by keeping something of importance under wraps. The author uses scientific data and studies, to bring into clearer focus just how secrets and deceptions do manage to change lives of the person harboring the secrets, and those the secrets are kept from.
He cites a study from 2014 about parents who lie to their children. The reasons include controlling their emotions, controlling their behaviour, getting them to cooperate, and to avoid having to explain complicated concepts. And even the slightest times when parents keep secrets or outright lie to children, could eventually cause lasting negative effects on the children. In fact, further studies prove that children were who were lied to by parents, are more likely to effortlessly lie as adults. The cycle may not be broken.
It is thought that children lie at as young an age as three, and by five years old use it all the time to get out of situations such as chores. The notion of Santa Claus or Father Christmas as noted in the book, is another example of keeping something a secret and ultimately lie, when parents insist that Santa Claus exists. Another fascinating area of the book is the talk of cult leaders, where an most omnipresent person is in control, and no matter what they are saying, their followers blindly obey, even to the point that it may threaten their lives and health.
We all are aware of Jonestown, and other cults that have taken lives, because the cult leaders espoused one absurd comment after another, convincing the followers it was all for them and their journey to the afterlife. Gold also talks about Amanda Knox, and how people thought she acted like a guilty person, making her guilty, life packed with her own secrets.
There is quite the psychology involved here, which the author covers in detail, looking at world history and the deceptions and perceptions that have influenced people to do both right and wrong. In the concluding chapter he mentions secrets have been understood and exploited by bad actors. Cults such as Scientology and NXIVM, have used secrets to lure unsuspecting members up the ladder to nowhere in the pursuit of status.
There is nothing secretive about the book, it is an exceptional work where we learn much about ourselves and the deceptions of the world around us.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

I really enjoyed this, it wasn’t too in depth or intellectual but rather introduced some fascinating things in an accessible way.

I made the mistake of looking up his YouTube channel. What a load of click bait embarrassment. But try to separate the art from the artist etc

[Gijs Limonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars; interesting read but not as great as I hoped it would be; some interesting observations but nothing earth shattering, will be on the lookout for more on the subject; be sure to check out Sam Harris' Lying for a more philosophical approach.

[Book_withquotes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delve into the enigmatic realm of secrecy with Andrew Gold, the acclaimed investigative journalist and host of Heretics, as he unravels the complex psychology behind hidden truths. From cult leaders to everyday individuals like you and me, secrets are an intrinsic part of the human experience, shaping our innermost thoughts and actions. With a staggering 97 per cent of people harbouring secrets at any given time, Andrew Gold ventures into the depths of human behaviour to explore the underlying motives and consequences of our covert actions.

With insights from various fields, such as psychology, and history, and in-depth interviews, The Psychology of Secrets is a fascinating journey into the maze of hidden realities that shape our identities and communities. From the subtle but potent impacts of social media influencers to the captivating attraction of cult leaders, I found myself dragged further and deeper into the complex web that secrets generate with every chapter.

As a superb storyteller, Andrew Gold skillfully connects these seemingly unconnected pieces, demonstrating their interconnectedness. This book presents an insightful, colourful thesis on the history of secrecy and the cruelty that sometimes accompanies its significance. It is well written. In addition to being educational, the book invites readers to think critically about their own lives and the roles that their secrets play in them.

[Lycra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrew Gold has interviewed celebrities and lesser-known controversial figures on his YouTube podcast, 'Heretics'. He has encountered a wealth of fascinating stories from his guests and listeners, as well as during his times as an investigative journalist. The common theme of a great deal of these stories is secrets. Under chapter headings such as 'Secrets, Privacy and Lies' and 'Secrets, Cults and Status', Gold reveals some of those stories as he examines the nature of secrets; the reasons for keeping them, how they can be exploited, the psychological effects they have on the keeper and on those they are revealed to. At the back of the book, brief Source Notes are given that pertain to each chapter, but there is no comprehensive bibliography or index. This is not an academic investigation, although he refers to some academic sources about the subject. He alludes to his exploration as 'a journalistic adventure' and it raises many points to ponder about human society's current trends.

[Alex Stane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been interested in the idea of wanting to create a "cult", whether it be for personal gain or through the guise of a higher power, and this book is a great eye-opener to the actions of both cult leaders and cult followers.

Cults, in every sense, prey on those who have experienced heavy trauma through their lives. They act to bolster the part of any person that wants to connect by forcing the idea that the cult are the only ones that can help. It's a truly horrendous idea that can scar any individual, whether they escape or not.

The author's ability to connect this concept with other "plagues" (his words, not mine) such as social media influencers and murderers is super interesting and worth a read.

[Salim · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Psychology of Secrets isn’t quite what the title suggests. The author, who isn’t a psychologist, writes with no clear direction or purpose. Instead of providing a deep dive into the psychology of secrets, the book feels more like a collection of random snippets about secrets, gossip, and unrelated studies. The interesting bits could have easily been covered in a few dozen pages instead of an entire book. While it’s not exactly boring, the title feels like clickbait—an attention-grabber that doesn’t quite deliver. If you’re looking for an in-depth analysis of why we keep secrets, you’ll probably be disappointed. But if you enjoy random facts (some barely related to secrets) and the author’s musings on almost anything, you might find it entertaining.

[El Zet · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a strange one, its purpose is unclear. Why did Andrew Gold choose such a title when he set out to write about cults? A traumatic event, which supposedly inspired his exploration of secrecy and its effects, somehow became an introduction to a lecture on the hidden practices of Scientology and Orthodox Judaism. From there, it veers into biographies of historical figures who, according to Gold, must have kept secrets to achieve success. His condescending “well, actually” tone only makes things worse. With so much well-researched literature on cults out there, there’s no need to settle for the work of a podcaster with an inflated sense of importance.

[Kayleigh-Ånn Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really good read with thought provoking aspects throughout. I only give 3 stars as it's like a lite version of Andrews podcast - a lot of topics are covered in this book that are fantastic to hear him covering more in-depth on the pod. Whilst a good book, I'd hugely recommend his podcast over the book as you get the full benefit of his thoughts on each topic as opposed to just being touched on in passing. A great introduction to him but do follow on with the podcast.

[Sandra Clute · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I loved how stories were told as stories. Interesting characters, fascinating secrets and a really great interpretation s from Andrew. As a fan of his podcast (from day one) I can hear Andrew's voice in his writing. One part that got me in the book was when Andrew talks about being hacked through ones devices when connected to an outlet on an airplane, as I was reading my Kindle version of the book on a flight to Alaska.

[Lucy Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don’t read these types of books even though I am interested in learning about them through podcasts and shows, however this was the most interesting book i have ever read- i love the controversial points and topics that have made me think about something bigger than myself, the influences from around the world on my tiny, insignificant life. brilliant brilliant brilliant. i would love to read more andrew gold’s work

[Joseph Hillman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just not my sort of book at all. There wasn’t anything in the psychology of secret keeping which dragged me in or caught my interest.

It was a very tough read in parts and not one that I took anything out of. One for people who want to get inside the mind of some really messed up individuals. Not one for me.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watch his YouTube channel regularly, so I was eager to read this, and I was not disappointed. It's intellectual but easy to understand, and his prose is excellent. He has good insights and stories with some disturbing stories, the worst of which he does give a warning beforehand. This book was better than expected. Highly recommended.

[Angela Groves · Rating 4 out of 5]

An accessible and enjoyable look at secrets. It explores the reasons behind them, why we keep them, the effect they can have on us both physically and mentally, as well as how they link to lies.

I found this a really great entry into the subject, and has encouraged me to look into the subject further.