This book has several endorsements on the back, saying how much it sucks you in, refuses to let you go, and makes you want to stay up all night reading it. They're not wrong. I didn't stay up all night or anything, but I did find myself finding opportunities to get some reading in when I don't normally. It really was very enthralling and suspenseful, and while I knew Tim would survive, because the jacket says that Hurwitz was working on the next Tim Rackley novel, but I had no guarantees for any of the other characters, so I was seriously tense for the last few chapters. Good job, Mr. Hurwitz.Some people have criticized his portrait of this cult for being extreme to the point of caricature, but I'm not so sure. There are some pretty insane cults out there, and the fact of the matter is that we simply don't know what goes on in many of them. Even when people do get out, they often don't really want to talk about what happened inside, for one reason or another, but I think we've heard enough that nothing in this book is entirely implausible.In fact, I found it extremely chilling. It's a work of fiction, of course, but it's clear from the way it's written that a lot of research went into this book, and it carries a lot of truth in it. There are uber-creepy cults out there, they do lull people in using all kinds of methods of manipulation, and there certainly are some pretty atrocious cult leaders. And that's kind of what kept sticking with me. I can't begin to fathom how people like that can treat other people in these ways, and live with themselves. I can accept that some cult leaders are just plain crazy, and truly believe they're some kind of Messiah, but I'd guess that most of them know exactly what they're doing, and just get off on the power trip. There's obviously a high level of sociopathic tendency there, and I guess really, that's what it comes down to. They can live with themselves because they have an extremely diminished capacity to feel remorse, or empathy for others. In a way, I almost feel bad for these people, because in order to be that way, you'd have to have pretty extreme narcissism, to the point of having no regard whatsoever for anyone other than yourself, and I think that's pretty sad.Which of course, doesn't make it any less horrifying, or any less baffling that people allow themselves to be abused like this. This book actually did give some pretty good insight on how one can get sucked in, and I found it very interesting to watch how certain people got completely carried away with it, while others felt much more reticence, even if they ultimately succumbed. The recruitment process was fascinating, and while it's easy to tell yourself that you'd never fall for it, I think we'd all be surprised. If they can get you past the initial little group party, and into that huge group of people where they have you at the mercy of all their manipulation tricks - ranging from relaxants in the refreshments, to pretty intense peer pressure, to outright hypnosis - I think we'd all be surprised at what we might fall for. Even the act of walking away, when you have several hundred people looking at you like that walk away makes you inferior and less enlightened than they are, can suddenly become extremely uncomfortable, and can take a lot of personal strength. Falter for a moment, and they've probably got you.Nonetheless, it's still mind-boggling to me that anyone can inspire such fanatical devotion that people will endure sleep deprivation, starvation, complete lack of privacy or personal freedom, total isolation from all friends and family, sexual abuse, and all kinds of torture, both psychological and physical. It's mind-boggling, but also horrifying, because we should never forget that it could be us. None of us are immune, and all of can be broken.The book itself showed me all this, and left me with such intense feelings, ranging from utter revulsion to extreme relief in some places that I have to declare it well-written. It may not be the most factual account of cult life out there, but I think it's worthwhile, and while it may have been a bit sensational, I'm glad I read it.
Most of what I've read about this book indicates that Hurwitz did a very good job researching cults. I believe the accuracy of his work, so there's a long hard look inside both the process used by cults to indoctrinate people, as the blind spots in the law when it comes to protecting people. Some of the narrative seems a little obvious and heavy-handed, but the reader knows what's going on and isn't inclined to give TD and the Program the benefit of the doubt. The people entering the beginning point of the cult are struggling and looking for direction in life. As a result, they're much more susceptible. And the cults are very good at it.With so many people looking for anything to add direction to their lives, it's a wonder these types of movements aren't more pronounced. Another thing that causes concern is that this book is eight years old. Cults can use social media to entice people--in particular young people--without any interference from parents.I listened to this on CD, which means the performance by Erik Steele added to my experience. He did a great job overall, but I thought he poured it on a little thick with TD's character. The major outcome was obvious with a fair amount of book left, but the most emotionally heavy ending was left open until practically the last minute. (Though I would have thought there would be justifiable cause for some of the searches without waiting for warrants based on the circumstances.)Overall, this is worth the money you would pay to read it, and I would highly recommend it.
What do You think about The Program (2005)?
If you love intense thrillers, you'll enjoy the Progrmam by Gregg Hurwitz. Tim Rackley have been recruited by Will Henning to extradite his step-daughter Leah from a cult, once he gets his badge back from the US Marshals. With no information to go on, he looks for clues, past cult members, and members, to get his ticket in. Under a new persona, he goes to the Program, a mind-control colloquium, when he sees Leah. From there, he finds his way to talk to her and to get her out, while now winds up with a special VIP ticket. From there, he convinces Leah proof of what the Teacher does, and finds a way out, after he does an intervention. From there, things go awry, when his cover is blown, and she's in danger. In the end, he brings it all down and Leah safe. What amn enjoyable thrill ride.
—Kristen
Really closer to a 4-1/2 star for me, The Program was a gripping thriller. Hurwitz sends disgraced former U.S. Marshal Tim Rackley into a cult to rescue the daughter of a prominent movie producer. Development of secondary series characters is still a little thin, but the mind control techniques of the cult, the financial shenanigans used to extract the assets of new members for the benefit of the cult leader, and the gaps in the law that make either criminal or civil prosecution difficult all rang true. Hurwitz clearly did his homework.
—Betty
I liked this book a lot more than the first one that I read -- a good story line (no twist) and a satisfying, believable ending. If there were half-stars, I'd give it three and a half. The subject was much easier to handle than the first - the psychology of a cult and how they suck you in versus the brutal murder of a child.In some ways I find it interesting that I thoroughly enjoy thrillers, but like them better if they stick to innocent adults. When you throw a child into the mix, it goes from good entertainment to sickening violence. Weird, but true for me.
—Mary
