The Followers: “Holy Hell” and the Disciples of Narcissistic Leaders — How My Years in a Notorious Cult Parallel Today’s Cultural Mania

by Radhia Gleis

Winner of the 2021 PenCraft Book Award, 1st Place, Non Fiction – Autobiography

Radhia’s personal story and comprehensive knowledge along with her authentic, and unfiltered humorous style presents a compelling portrayal of both the political and cultural dynamics of group-think and mind control.

After twenty-five years of her adult life in a cult, under the influence of a narcissistic sociopath she sought to understand why she made the choices she made in her life, so she could better understand why others make their choices. The Holocaust or any genocide instigated by a narcissistic authority does not happen because of one man. It is the collective consciousness of their followers that supports and enacts those atrocities. Like Moonies under Sun Myung Moon, Germans under the influence of Hitler, or the Branch Davidians under David Koresh, a percentage of America has fallen into a cult of personality. Radhia set out on a journey to explore common traits that every human being possesses.

She makes the strong parallels between her devotion to a cult leader—an authority—whose damaging behavior and influence she willfully ignored, and the followers of other authoritarian leaders. This is not about policy or political ideology or even the guru or our political leaders, as much as it is about the followers from the viewpoint of a follower.

"Written from the perspective of an insider, this compelling personal story, told with both brutal honesty, and raw humor draws us into the mindset of cult followers. It shines a light on how easily intelligent questing people can find themselves unwittingly following a cult leader. As much a personal story as a probing exploration of the mental and emotional states of cult leaders and followers, this fascinating book is hard to put down." - Lorell Frysh PhD.

Genres: Nonfiction, Cults, Memoir

437 pages, ebook

Published June 17, 2021

About the author

Radhia Gleis is a Certified Clinical Nutritionist, CCN, MEd. biochemical analyst, and educator for over 33 years. She has appeared as a featured guest on numerous radio and television shows including Fox News, Austin. She hosted The Health Revolution and Let's Get Healthy on Talk 1370 AM, KLBJ, and The Wellness Connection podcast on Voice America. She was the host and executive producer of three YouTube series: Wake up America; How the Body Works; and The Natural Way. She was featured in the internationally viewed movie, Holy Hell, which was broadcast on CNN and named one of Sundance Film Festival's and Netflix's top ten documentaries. It can now be viewed on Amazon Prime. Connect with Radhia at www.radhiagleis.com.

Reviews

[Greg Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hypnotic and harrowing, is how I would characterize the story Radhia relates in a poignant and intimate description of the intertwining of cultural and political factors have led to her involvement in a cult, as well as how that involvement has given her insight into the emergence of the Q anon/Trump worldview. The ability of Radhia to weave humor into the often heartbreaking and tragic events gives the reader an insight into the web that narcissistic sociopaths use to control people.
The book is a moving, highly readable, firsthand account of the influences that led her into the cult, and draws similarities to the American political division existing today. Radhia’s account is comprehensive, starting at the beginning, when she opened her life and showed the dysfunction existing in American families, then leading her to the cult.
I highly recommend the book, it is an important look into today's america.

[Bonnie Bonita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book, and it truly was a magnificent, enlightening, and entertaining read.. I love the author's ' honesty and insightfulness.
I've got four friends ready to read it. Radhia makes it so clear and imperative that this nation should
wake-up - But will they?
I hope this book will help. Thank you for having the courage, will and fortitude to publish it and put it out there. It's awesome! A definite five star plus.

[Dian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and pretty well done for something that is probably self edited and self published. This book examines the thought processes of those who get swept up into cult thinking and how it applies to our current and past political canvas. The author is self aware, even handed, mostly, and has a good sense of humor. I highly recommend this to anyone who knows people who are caught up in cult or group think mentality and is looking for some perspective. I like that there is a bibliography for the sources used as well, in case I want to read some of the other items referenced.

[Cheong Hyo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Radhia Gleis, the author of this book traded one cult for another. She is completely oblivious to the fact that she is now part of the cult of Wokeism. Wokeism is the ultimate cult. The various cults she describes in her book strongly parallel today's woke movement. We need to put an end to the woke mob group think mentality that seeks to destroy art, free speech, innovation, and people's livelihoods. Perhaps, one day Radhia will leave the woke cult and then write a book about it.

[Terri's Dangerous When Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well researched and well written. The author had been in a cult herself for twenty years and in her book she draws many parallels between cults and MAGA. I read this book with great interest and I took notes. Like many other people, I still struggle to understand why some people fell for Trump like a ton of bricks when it was so obvious to me and half the country and other people worldwide that Trump was a con man from the beginning. I have four sisters who are still playing along with the MAGA cult and it has caused me much despair. I've wondered for a long time if there was anything I could do to pull them out of the cult. After reading this book I now understand much better and I feel a sense of peace on some level.

Quotes from the book:
"I'm not going to give you ten ways to have a meaningful dialogue with someone in "the other camp." Politics today has gone way beyond a "Let's agree to disagree" scenario. And I don't expect at the end of the journey that we will all hold hands and sing "Kumbaya.""

"To them, even when faced with irrefutable facts and evidence, nothing matters."

"DO NOT argue or try to convince others to see the truth. They will find their own way out when ready."

[✨ ੈ✩‧April ♡ ʚ♡⃛ɞ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Followers" by Radhia Gleis is a compelling and eye-opening memoir that delves into the author's experiences within a notorious cult and draws striking parallels to modern societal dynamics. Gleis's candid and introspective narrative offers a profound exploration of the psychological manipulation and control exerted by narcissistic leaders.

Gleis's writing is both engaging and thought-provoking, providing readers with a deep understanding of the vulnerability and resilience of individuals in such environments. Her ability to connect past experiences with current cultural phenomena adds a unique and relevant perspective, making the book both a personal journey and a societal critique.

Overall, "The Followers" is a powerful and insightful read that sheds light on the dangers of charismatic leadership and the importance of critical thinking. It's a must-read for anyone interested in psychology, sociology, and the impact of cult-like dynamics in contemporary society. Highly recommended for its raw honesty and enlightening observations.

[Amy Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift, and I LOVED it! It was hilarious at times, frightening at times, and sad at times. I found it to be insightful through and through, raw, honest, witty, delightfully irreverent, well researched, and extremely eye-opening. Because of her personal, up-close experience and insight, Radhia was able to expose some alarming parallels and perils within our current world and lives that an individual without an otherwise deep understanding of the subject might never see. I recommend that everyone read this book. Especially if you think you have never, would never, or could never succumb to the powers of a narcissistic sociopath, cult thinking, or cult-like behavior in some form or other. The belief that you are impervious might just be shattered.

[Amy Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift, and I LOVED it! It was hilarious at times, frightening at times, and sad at times. I found it to be insightful through and through, raw, honest, witty, delightfully irreverent, well researched, and extremely eye-opening. Because of her personal, up-close experience and insight, Radhia was able to expose on some alarming parallels and perils within our world and lives that an individual without an otherwise deep understanding of the subject might never see. I recommend that everyone read this book. Especially if you think you have never, would never, or could never succumb to the powers of a narcissistic sociopath, cult thinking, or cult-like behavior in some form or other. The belief that you are impervious might just be shattered.

[Andrew Corsini · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the "Don't Look Up" of books, though it is much better than that film. I initially thought the book was going to be about the writer's experience in a cult but they extend this to a study of Trump. The anti-Trump stuff, while all true, absolutely true, gets a little exhausting after two-hundred pages when I wish the author would just talk about their life and about the cult they were actually in. It's like the book makes all the right points, and includes fascinating excerpts from other works like Jung's "Fight with the Shadow" and "The Sociopath next Door" but I found the execution a little messy. That all said, the first fifty pages where they are talking about their childhood is heartbreaking and breathtaking.

[Alighta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read The Followers AND listened to it on Audible. It is the author's personal account of how regular people can find themselves in a cult without even being aware of it, simply in their search for meaning and connection in a superficial world. I can totally relate to this book in so many ways. The writing is intelligent, vulnerable, humorous, and compassionate, but I really loved the audible version in Radhia’s voice. I laughed out loud and yet so many parts of her raw and personal story made me cry. The parallels to present-day cults of personality are unmistakable. This is such an important book in these confusing and uncertain times.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't tear my eyes from this book and when I did put it down, I couldn't get it out of my mind. Very well written and researched, the author seeks to find an answer as to why cults exist and why people join them and why they stay, despite seeing abhorrent behavior by the leaders of the cults. Written with honesty, insight and a touch of humor, Ms. Gleis has written a thoughtful portrayal of cults, both past and present.

This book was won in a Goodreads giveaway. Most highly recommended.

[Kayla Tornello · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book draws parallels between the author's experience in a cult and the supporters of Trump. The look into how the cult drew people in and then kept them hooked was fascinating. The book also helps me understand how people can come to blindly support such a divisive figure as Trump. If you are a Trump supporter, you stand a good chance of being offended by this book.

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Yay!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting. It is less about her time in a cult and more about how people end up following a narcissist. (Specifically Trump)

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received this from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. I tried to like this but the writing just kept getting in the way. Too much information up front so DNT.