Authentic / 978 1 86024 574 9 / paperback / 120pp / £7.99 / 3 stars

J John describes this book as compelling and shocking, and I have to agree. Compelling because the story unfolds like a horror novel and shocking because it is diffi cult to believe that in the late 20th/ early 21st century Christian leaders could get away with treating people so appallingly. Books like this reinforce the view that religion is the root of all evil. There are real examples of brainwashing, manipulation and other control techniques being used to suppress people; Harbinson likens it to what was going on in Waco and with the James Jones cult, with questioning the ‘shepherds’ almost seen as heresy. Spiritual abuse might be something many people are unaware of and that is the reason why church leaders and church members should read this book. My main criticism is that there is too much repetition of events in the early chapters, but get through that and the way in which Harbinson broke free, survived and was able to forgive is a powerful testimony.