So the book is a 5/5 on its stand alone self. I read it cover to cover (updated and original introductions all the way through the most intriguing bits in the middle, through all the practical advice). First way through was on audiobook (will listen again for sure) than I picked up a physical copy which I have just been skimming for specifics where I put a tabs in. I would love to write a cult book (more likely paper) one day.

I did drop the one star off the rating for the author however, I got into listening to him on podcasts and YouTube clips, followed him on Instagram. I don't know how many times I have said this on Goodreads : as a non-American, watching intelligent people lose there minds over the politics from 2008 until now has just been mind bending. This fixation has bled so heavily into Canada that our elections are now tinged with conservatives = Trump/Republican , liberals' = Biden/Democrat... like what? not our country not our election WTF. Anyways

Hassan got himself caught up in the Trump hysteria so firmly that he wrote the cult of Trump (which does make a few good points but is so hyperbolic and assumes the absolute worst of all Republican supporters, while making republican voters a homogenous group, which eliminates the ability to see single issue voters, people who vote on policy over party, swing votes that go between parties from election to election... I think Trump derangement syndrome is overused but as we all move towards the 2024 election where he might run again, its more obvious than ever that it is a real thing). I would have LOVED to hear that he wrote a book about both the republicans and the democrats and how all American politics is leaning into the cult behavior hard and sweeping people (including non-Americans up in its madness)

As Hassan has so clearly pointed out all the issues with Republican's and Trump in particular I am only going to do the devils advocate here and pick on the Democrats

“A person’s right to believe, however, does not grant them an automatic license to act indiscriminately on those beliefs.” -Based on this BLM riots, CHAZ and CHOP were unacceptable acts of vandalism, violence, and law breaking.

“Create an atmosphere in your classroom that encourages questioning, open discussion and respect for a wide range of beliefs and opinions.” Pretty self explanatory, can you question Biden/Democrats? Hunter? Harris? Joe Biden's mental and physical states?

Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional Control : BITE : please apply yourself and see how this matches up

“The Republican party is almost like a religious cult surrounding an organized crime family.” Quote from the Cult of Trump which is highly ironic given what is coming out in the news about the Biden family corruption.

and my final thought for now on this. One of the key cult pieces is there is never a good reason to leave or disagree. Now I know plenty of Republicans who would vote independent, who are for Trump or more so against Biden/Democrat, people support Desantis, people support Trump... I don't see those variations in the Democrats, most visible when you start talking about trans sexual people, trans gender people, "trans" children, sexuality, on and on... food for thought