UNDER THE INFLUENCE:
The Destructive Effects of Group Dynamics

Reviews & Readers' Comments about “Under the Influence”:

“I have laughed, cried and been carried back to many events in my life that reflect your thoughts.  If only I had known your book at age 21!  Please have my great appreciation;  your book will be loaned out many times.”
    - Robert A. Johnson,
     Jungian analyst, lecturer,
     and best-selling author

 “I am a professor in the MBA program at Butler University.  I teach a group dynamics class each fall and always try to select a thought provoking book for the class.  I selected it (Under the Influence} for the class.  I will finish reading the last 15 pages this afternoon and can only say — ‘WOW.’  A great book.  It will be both enlightening and more than thought provoking, particularly for MBA students.” 
                – Dr. David Luechauer.

"Just had to pass along my praise and appreciation for this piece of work. You have made a profound contribution in confronting the mass mind, the Madison Avenue sound bite, and manipulative collective. It would seem it has a future as required reading in any thoughtful curricula involving psychology and sociology."
             — Dr. Christopher Rubel, MFCC

"Influence is a rich, complex accomplishment of great value and nourishment that shows the greatest threat to our mental health is making our souls obedient to another's agenda. Goldhammer turns the light on a lot of sacred cows. All parts are thoroughly researched."
          — Audrey DeLaMarte, Syndicared      Book Reviewer, editor, writer

"I just want to say that your book and web site fill a huge gap in societies' proper understanding of cult dynamics and destructive thinking. Your comments were priceless. Again, a great book. I've done a lot of reading on cults and I will say your book will be one I HIGHLY recommend -- top priority read."
   — Joe Rizoli, Writer & former member of    Jehovah's Witnesses

"The news is filled with reports of all kinds of cults and groups like the militias, and if you wonder why people give themselves over to these groups, I strongly recommend you read John Goldhammer's Under the Influence, which explores how to avoid the loss of one's identity and the hypnotic influence some groups exert over their members. The author tells of his own experience with a New Age group for fifteen years and examines the nature of economic, educational, political and religious groups which seek to isolate their members from their family and other relationships."
  — Alan Caruba, Editor of syndicated  column, "Book Views"

"I have done my own research and study on cults, I have never seen the difference between a destructive group and a healthy group explained in a way that is as clear, understandable, and full of truth. Thanks again."
           — Aerial Long, Trauma Counselor

"Just wanted to let you know that I found your book extremely well written! I read it over the weekend before writing the sales piece, and it was far from being a drudgery or even an assignment. I began reading chapters (based on initial interest) out of sequence. Before I knew it, I'd finished the whole thing!"
            — Paul M. Howey, A/Z Texts, Writing & Photography

"Thanks so much for your book. I loved it! I think you could teach a class on this book, because you need to go over and over it. It's not something to be read just once. It's to be studied. One of the points you really drove home for me was that we need to be authentic and not be what others think we should be."
           — Maytrie Gregor, Insurance Claims Adjuster

"I felt empowered and vindicated after reading your remarkable book! Now I know how to help myself and others really recognize the 'dark side of groups."
                — Terri Page, Interior Designer

"I just love your book! Under the Influence needs to be in every university and public library."
                   — Barbara Gaughen, Small Business Consultant

"I found Under the Influence taking me on an eye-opening journey confronting the polarized, separatist, and controlled thinking that occurs within many groups. An extremely thought-provoking book disclosing the dark side of groups by bringing light to these dynamics. Your descriptive and thorough writing style encouraged me to reexamine the collective influences by which we, as individuals, are invariably besieged. Not only are suggestions made helping to determine the effect of control a group may already have, but ways of developing a healthy relationship with our groups. Under the Influence is definitely a book whose time has come and a must read for all who are on the path of free self-expression."
       — Karen A. Dahlman, M.A., Psychotherapist & Art Therapist