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Summary: Many lessons to be learned as her life unfoldes into.....
Review: I thought that it was brave of her to write that book, she shared such detailed information from her life. The book is not badly written as some stated. I found this book interesting enough to start and finish it. It was very interesting how her life unfolded; she never really stayed in one place, always moving around, always something is happening, so there was always something to read. I heard of cults, but this was something. I never knew that people could fall into such shameful life, so willingly. It was interesting that she was first felt ashamed after she received money for sleeping with a man. But before that, many nights in bed with many different men, did not shame her. I was interested in her thought process, as you read it, you think, how can she possibly do this, and then, what else is there that she will fall into. And then you have their main leader, when I think of him, reminds me of people such as Hitler. Both got people to follow their crazy ideas. But this guy was something, exremely selfish, insane maybe. She got my attention when she mentioned that those who used to be very conservative, strict Christians, and then crossed over to their cult. It was them who were most wild in their family after being so conservative. Personally I don't get it why some people found it to be boring, it was her life that you read about, as it was. And trust me, her life was not boring. It was anything but boring. How can you be bored in that kind of life? At the end you admire her for what she overcame, and then became successful.
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Summary: "Theres One Born Every Minute"
Review: The Children of God, one of the more bizarre semi-Christian cults out there, makes for some of the most interesting reading in comparative religions. This autobiography details one woman's descent into one of the cult's weirder periods. There is much here for students of cultism and religion -- the man who headed the religion sounds like a complete fruitcake, so half the "fun" is figuring out what possible appeal his philosophies could have for anybody remotely normal. Miriam tries to answer that question, and I think she did a good job of it. Miriam's story is filled with regret and apologies for her involvement, but it is honest. I about cheered for her when she finally stood up for herself and her family and said "I'm out of here!" She joined as a high schooler and was in the cult for 15 years. Though only a few years of that were spent as an official prostitute, the entire story reads as one long journey of sexual repression at the hands of a group that seems more obsessed with deviance the further along it gets (something else she addresses quite well). Sadly, at its end, Miriam herself is a damaged-but-recovering soul, frayed around the edges as so many ex-cultists are regardless of what cult they've left, and uncertain how to approach religion. This, too, is good information. I think this book would be worthwhile for any student of religion or anybody interested in cults. I don't think it would be appropriate for underage readers, but it's safe reading for those who get ruffled easily. There's nothing too graphic in it.
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Summary: An important book
Review: There has been written many books about Children of God/The Family but this is certainly the best I have read. It is nuanced, and gives a very convincing picture of the life in this group. It is free from the stereotypes in much anti-cult literature - the author describes humans caught up in a bizarre and abusive cult but she doesn't demonize them, not even the leaders. The book is valuable for anyone interested to learn about abusive cults, but even to those that want to learn about preserving human dignity in an abusive environment. It can highly be recommended.
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Summary: An enlightening and painful account
Review: There is a lot to like about this book: It delves sensitively into the author's life as a cult member, brain washed follower, struggling parent and wife, and seeker of truth, meaning and belonging in a world appearing to be more hostile than welcoming (alcoholic, sexually abusive home in the midst of the 60s societal confusion). Furthermore, she takes responsibility for her choices, and portrays herself as a willing participant rather than a mere victim. As far as the less documented facets of this popular cult go, she cites sources for her claims from its demented leader's own writings. She is less of a first-hand witness to some of the more horrifying accounts of sexual child abuse, but she always makes clear her degree of knowledge and first-hand experience. I like the fact that she recounts events without reviling the participants needlessly. The story clearly speaks for itself. I for one, found it horrifying and revolting to the point of having to put the book down for awhile before finally completing it. It is regrettable that she mixes her cult experience with references to a legitimate (albeit conservative) Christian religious upbringing, claiming that this would in fact have allowed her to drift into cult extremism. Also, she is rather ungrateful to some of the Christian friends who helped her reestablish herself and her family after leaving the cult ("fundamentalist purgatory"--give me a break!). Along the same lines, she seems to have embraced a fairly self-centered spiritual vision since, composed of social science, pop spirituality and a self-absorbed, soul-worshipping "inner light". It is truly harrowing to witness yet one more example of the depths at which cults harm a person spiritually, robbing them of all hope for a legitimate experience of God, Truth and healing Christian community. The author seems to be continuing to be a spiritually seeking (albeit deeply hurt) person--attributes a loving and caring God never fails to honor. Having recovered so much, I for one am rooting for a full spiritual recovery for Ms. Williams. Thank you for sharing your story and so much of yourself!
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Summary: An enlightening and painful account
Review: This book is a very frank and very brave sharing of one woman's horrific life in a cult that promised complete happiness. My jaw dropped countless times over Williams' descriptions of the constant and extreme emotional abuse inflicted on her and other cult members. Unfortunately, many Baby Boomers find a lot of familiarity in Miriam's life as in their own experiences, as many in that generation found themselves unintentionally living a seamier life. The only problem I found with this book was its misleading title. Williams was in the cult for over fifteen years, but clearly spent only three of those living in Monte Carlo as a high class prostitute ('flirty-fishing,' as it was called by the Children of God). This is not to say her experience was any less horrific and painful, but isn't that a sort of false advertising?
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Summary: enlightning, fascinating, troubling
Review: This is a fascinating and sad account of the author's journey from being a rebellious teenage intellectual to being caught up in a suffocating cult. The pseudo-Christian organization, known as "The Children of God" claimed 20,000 adherents at it's peak. The book details her slow realization of the web of deception and depravity that ensnarl her and describes her journey back to a life of appropriate human relationships. Semantic snapshots include the rebuke she received from cult leaders for the sin of having a difficult labor and delivery; her cult directed descent into "flirty fishing", perhaps better described as "hooking for Jesus", and the bizarre manner of the cults leader and founder, "Mo" David. David lead the cult from it's founding in the mid-60's until his death in 1994. From the book I can only conclude that the reason he did not die at a younger age was the time it took to construct a special place for him in h! ell.
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Summary: Very accurate and truthful
Review: This is a very good book. I am one to testify, as during my childhood I was also a member of the Children Of God/The Family cult. I left when I was 20. Miriam goes to great lengths when testifying about her years as a prostitute in the cult. She very accurately describes the abuse and suffering that cult members suffered while in the cult. However, she doesn't go into great detail when it comes to the mental, physical and sexual abuse that we as children suffered.(After all, it's her story, not mine.) I hope that all who read this book will become aware to what cult members are forced to endure at the hand of their gurus and cult leaders. Anyway, enjoy this book, I did.
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Summary: A brave and balanced account
Review: What a great title! The book promises a salacious story, and delivers in spades - but it's also a very balanced account of life in a religious commune. Ms. Williams reports the facts, however unseemly, without denigrating any of the characters. And she acknowledges the benefits of her life in the commune - she learned three languages, traveled widely, made lifelong friendships and developed herself culturally. But she was stifled intellectually and oppressed as a woman. Her journey out of the Children of God religion serves as a courageous guidebook for anyone attempting to disentangle themselves with fundamentalist religions. Brava!
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