Meet the Author: Cult Following with J.W. Ocker

Name: Meet the Author: Cult Following with J.W. Ocker
Start: 2024-10-18T15:00:00-04:00
End: 2024-10-18T18:00:00-04:00
Location: Marine Hall Mercantile, 177 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts

Schedule

Fri Oct 18 2024 at 03:00 pm to 06:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Marine Hall Mercantile, 177 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts | Salem, MA

Friday, October 18, 2024 from 3—6 pm
In-person event
Location: Marine Hall Mercantile (177 Essex Street)
Free
Meet J.W. Ocker, author of Cult Following. This international compendium of 30 infamous cults “sheds light on the terrifying attraction of cults, demonstrating the elasticity of belief, the desperateness of belonging and the tragedy of trust.” It explores how ordinary people can be duped by extreme and sinister groups — whether they believe in aliens or the apocalypse.
This accessible, engaging collection covers historic cults such as the Breatharians, Heaven’s Gate and NXIVM with Ocker’s characteristic blend of research, curiosity and humor.
Ocker is also the author of Cursed Objects and The United States of Cryptids.
ORDER THE BOOK
Books are available for pre-order and can be picked the day of the event by selecting in-store pickup, or shipped to the address of your choice.
PEM Reads offers a place to share ideas about the books we read and how they, as another form of artistic expression, shape our views and invite us to explore other worlds. We hope you’ll join us!
Check out our other fall events at pem.org/halloween
About the Author:
J. W. Ocker is an Edgar Award–winning travel writer and horror novelist. His previous nonfiction books include Poe-Land, The New England Grimpendium and The New York Grimpendium, A Season with the Witch, the New York Times-reviewed Cursed Objects and the nationally best seller The United States of Cryptids. He is the creator of the blog and podcast OTIS: Odd Things I’ve Seen (oddthingsiveseen.com).