The Mormon Cult: A Former Missionary Reveals the Secrets of Mormon Mind Control Review

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The Mormon Cult: A Former Missionary Reveals the Secrets of Mormon Mind Control ReviewThe Good:
The author makes one very cogent argument with this book: If Mormon missionaries are the chosen among the chosen - the Scions of Zion - why do they seem so indistinguishable from any other large group of haphazardly selected, though well trained, salesmen?
The bulk of the book is a (seemingly genuine) personal struggle to relate a young man's faith to his surrounding reality. Despite an economy of words I found I was able to enter into where the author (Jack B. Worthy - clearly not his real name btw - and one hopes he was equally kind with the names of his former companions mentioned in this book) was at - emotionally and intellectually. No awkward sentence structures (unlike this review), though an occasional strained metaphor. No key points left out or vaguely defined. Just a story that, once it gets going (see "The Bad" below), flows to the very last word.
The narrative of Elder Compton alone is worth the price of this book. I once talked with an LDS missionary who was missing . . . something. I'm not sure who could have decided he was ready to go out and spread the word. I remember he sat there at my table and fiddled with one CTR ring after the other the whole while his partner presented the first discussion. As I recall, and this is about all I recall from my lesson that day, Elder "Ring" adjusted, rotated and admired (?) each of his eight or nine silver rings during the entire time. If his partner was as distracted as I was he never let on - he must have been the "Dad". Anyway, being on mission for nearly two years gave the author many more sad and/or hilarious experiences to share. Stories that when strung together with the author's own struggles makes this book very readable. The Bad:
As indicated in the heading for this review, I am displeased with both the title and sub-title. What could the author/publisher possibly be thinking? If the author does care about current members of his former church then he could have picked almost any title and it would have been better than this one. As a former member he must know that anything labeling the church a "cult" is anathema and not worth considering further in the least. By declaring on the cover that this book "reveals the secrets of Mormon Mind Control" he has virtually guaranteed no member of the church, even one lacking a Temple Recommend, will read it.
Similarly, the first 51 pages gives a condensed, sarcastic and condescending summary of the LDS Church. The arrogance of his personal tone is not unlike that of the biologist Richard Dawkins. This may seem a small criticism but if the author really means to convey his message unto those who are still active members then he might as well be standing in temple square handing out anti-Mormon tracts during General Conference for all the good this book will do.
In short: The author seems to be writing this book expressly for himself and others who are already unconverted. At least for the first 51 pages. After that the author becomes funny, sad and captivating as he relates his life as a member of "the one true church". I read the remaining pages in one sitting. So buy this book if you're interested, skip the first 51 pages and enjoy.The Mormon Cult: A Former Missionary Reveals the Secrets of Mormon Mind Control OverviewScrutinizing the experience of growing up Mormon, this personal narrative tells the story of one man's disillusionment with his faith and subsequent excommunication from the Church. This account reveals what is posited as inherent racism and sexism within the church and seeks to expose the controlling methods of indoctrination and the harsh process of excommunication. The basic tenets of the religion are explained, personal stories and analyses are shared, and church authorities are cited to support the claims of extreme gender and racial discrimination. From unknowing follower to angry rebel, and finally to a content, worldly man, this book recounts the experience of a survivor who feels the duty to explain his truth.

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THE LIVING ROOM OF THE DEAD (The Ray Sharp Novels) Review

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THE LIVING ROOM OF THE DEAD (The Ray Sharp Novels) ReviewThis book was a great read. Within a few pages, protagonist Ray Sharp feels like a real person. The descriptions of HongKong and Macau never strain for effect, yet they are incredibly vivid (and accurate, based on my modest HK experience). The plot avoids the tired "then things became implausibly dangerous but the narrator miraculously prevailed in the end" cliche that infests many thrillers. It is terribly gruesome in spots, but if you read through to the author's note at the very end, the sickening parts seem well justified. While this is definitely a "man's book" - the point of view is decisively male and our hero never once bemoans his weight or gets nagged by his mother - it is accessible to a female readership as well; in fact, Ray directly addresses a few issues in a way that seems designed to interest female readers. Finally, the world as narrated by Ray is ideal for a series. The infrequent use of details about Ray's background as fuel for the book's development seems a promising method for avoiding the excessive review that can plague series books. It will be a pleasure to see what Ray encounters in future novels.THE LIVING ROOM OF THE DEAD (The Ray Sharp Novels) OverviewThe first Ray Sharp detective thriller, set in Asia and based on true stories.Introducing Ray Sharp, American expatriate journalist, detective, confused human being just trying to do at least a little something right in the world. Helping out the brother of a colleague, Ray gets tangled up in the sleazy and deadly world of the Russian white slave trade. Based on a true story, the action moves from Hong Kong to Macau to an island brothel run ty the Chinese Navy in the South China Sea and finally to its conclusion in Vladivostok in Russia's wild far east."The Living Room of the Dead is a well-written suspenseful, enthralling, and very uncomfortable book to read... Not a cheerful book, but a compelling book. Gritty and violent, difficult to put down even in the ugly parts. A fine first novel inspired by a true story." - PJ Coldren, Crimespree magazine."The author gives the readers descriptions of HOng Kong, Macau and Vladivostok on a par with Paul Theroux's travel pieces...a successful debut." - Bernard Trink, Bangkok Post“It's enjoyable, all the more so for plotting that is a bit close to the edge sometimes. It's all very "noir", filled with introspection, editorial asides, snide commentary and swearing (impressively in at least three languages.) [Stone] can actually write: the pages turn very quickly." - Peter Gordon, Asian Review of Books.“I was taken for a ride through a slime pit of horrors that had me turning the pages. A very interesting debut. Not for the faint of heart." - Sally Owen, Bookaholic."The Living Room of the Dead is a stylish, fresh take on classic noir themes. You won't soon forget Eric Stone's vivid depictions of Macau and Vladivostok -- or the sad, doomed characters who think they're simply passing through." - Laura Lippman"Auspicious debut thriller by a former journalist who knows the exotic locales whereof he writes: the story is original and compelling, a page-turner with the spare, relentless style of Dennis Lehane or Michael Connelly." - John Farris

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