Join the WFPL in welcoming author Amanda Montell to talk about her new book, Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism. What makes “cults” so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? The author of the widely praised Wordslut analyzes the social science of cult influence: how cultish groups from Jonestown and Scientology to SoulCycle and social media gurus use language as the ultimate form of power.
Amanda Montell is a writer, language scholar, and podcast host from Baltimore and the author of two critically acclaimed books. As a reporter and essayist, Amanda's writing has been featured in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, and more. She holds a degree in linguistics from NYU and lives in Los Angeles with her partner, plants, and pets.