Synopsis
A powerful work of investigative journalism about a notorious cult based in Melbourne, Australia, that captured world-wide headlines.
The apocalyptic group The Family and their guru, Anne Hamilton-Byrne, captured international headlines throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Starting in Melbourne, Australia, their tentacles spread to Britain, Upstate New York, and Hawaii.
Hamilton-Byrne, who told some followers she was Jesus Christ returned in disguise, was glamorous and charismatic―and dangerous. She stole children through adoption scams and imprisoned them, bleaching their hair blonde to make them look like siblings and raising them as her own. In 1987, police swooped on The Family’s lakeside compound and rescued children who claimed they were part of Anne’s future master race, recounting terrible stories of near-starvation, emotional manipulation, and physical abuse. But Anne could not be found, sparking an international police hunt. After an extensive search, the FBI captured her in the Catskills, and helped bring her to trial.
How did such a notorious group come to flourish? How did Anne maintain a hold over her followers? The Family tells the strange and shocking story of one of the most bizarre cults in modern history.
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About the Authors
Chris Johnston is a senior writer for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, based in Melbourne.
Rosie Jones is an award-winning writer, director, and editor. Her most recent feature documentary The Family, premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2016.
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Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. The apocalyptic group The Family and their guru, Anne Hamilton-Byrne - one of very few female cult leaders in history - captured international headlines throughout the 1980s and 1990s.Hamilton-Byrne, who some followers believed was Jesus Christ, was glamorous and charismatic - and, many allege, very dangerous. From her base in a quiet suburb, she recruited wealthy professionals to join her cult, including doctors, lawyers, nurses, architects, and scientists. She acquired children and raised them as her own, bleaching their hair blonde to make them look like siblings, and her group became surrounded by rumours of LSD use, child abuse, and strange spiritual rituals.In 1987, police swooped on The Family's lakeside compound and rescued children who claimed they were part of Anne's future master race. The children recounted terrible stories of near starvation, emotional manipulation, and physical abuse. But Anne could not be found, sparking an international police hunt. Could they bring Anne to justice?How did such a notorious group come to flourish? How did Anne maintain a hold over her followers? Drawing on revelatory new research, including police files, diary entries, and interviews with survivors, The Family tells the strange and shocking story of one of the most bizarre cults in modern history.'The Family is remarkably clear-sighted. The writers have a gift for temperate yet compelling prose that unflinchingly reveals the delusions and unreflective righteousness of much of what emerged from the counterculture. In this book, the best of what journalism should be - honest, unsentimental, incisive - is combined with the craft and storytelling skills of born writers.'-Christos Tsiolkas'Harrowing but humane. An extraordinary story, impeccably researched.'-Martin McKenzie-Murray' A compelling account of one of Australia's most notorious cults . The authors trace the extraordinary life of a woman who operated ''at the edges of human belief''.'-The Saturday Age A powerful work of investigative journalism that reveals the legacy of a notorious cult. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781925321678
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Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. The apocalyptic group The Family and their guru, Anne Hamilton-Byrne - one of very few female cult leaders in history - captured international headlines throughout the 1980s and 1990s.Hamilton-Byrne, who some followers believed was Jesus Christ, was glamorous and charismatic - and, many allege, very dangerous. From her base in a quiet suburb, she recruited wealthy professionals to join her cult, including doctors, lawyers, nurses, architects, and scientists. She acquired children and raised them as her own, bleaching their hair blonde to make them look like siblings, and her group became surrounded by rumours of LSD use, child abuse, and strange spiritual rituals.In 1987, police swooped on The Family's lakeside compound and rescued children who claimed they were part of Anne's future master race. The children recounted terrible stories of near starvation, emotional manipulation, and physical abuse. But Anne could not be found, sparking an international police hunt. Could they bring Anne to justice?How did such a notorious group come to flourish? How did Anne maintain a hold over her followers? Drawing on revelatory new research, including police files, diary entries, and interviews with survivors, The Family tells the strange and shocking story of one of the most bizarre cults in modern history.'The Family is remarkably clear-sighted. The writers have a gift for temperate yet compelling prose that unflinchingly reveals the delusions and unreflective righteousness of much of what emerged from the counterculture. In this book, the best of what journalism should be - honest, unsentimental, incisive - is combined with the craft and storytelling skills of born writers.'-Christos Tsiolkas'Harrowing but humane. An extraordinary story, impeccably researched.'-Martin McKenzie-Murray' A compelling account of one of Australia's most notorious cults . The authors trace the extraordinary life of a woman who operated ''at the edges of human belief''.'-The Saturday Age A powerful work of investigative journalism that reveals the legacy of a notorious cult. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781925321678
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Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. The apocalyptic group The Family and their guru, Anne Hamilton-Byrne - one of very few female cult leaders in history - captured international headlines throughout the 1980s and 1990s.Hamilton-Byrne, who some followers believed was Jesus Christ, was glamorous and charismatic - and, many allege, very dangerous. From her base in a quiet suburb, she recruited wealthy professionals to join her cult, including doctors, lawyers, nurses, architects, and scientists. She acquired children and raised them as her own, bleaching their hair blonde to make them look like siblings, and her group became surrounded by rumours of LSD use, child abuse, and strange spiritual rituals.In 1987, police swooped on The Family's lakeside compound and rescued children who claimed they were part of Anne's future master race. The children recounted terrible stories of near starvation, emotional manipulation, and physical abuse. But Anne could not be found, sparking an international police hunt. Could they bring Anne to justice?How did such a notorious group come to flourish? How did Anne maintain a hold over her followers? Drawing on revelatory new research, including police files, diary entries, and interviews with survivors, The Family tells the strange and shocking story of one of the most bizarre cults in modern history.'The Family is remarkably clear-sighted. The writers have a gift for temperate yet compelling prose that unflinchingly reveals the delusions and unreflective righteousness of much of what emerged from the counterculture. In this book, the best of what journalism should be - honest, unsentimental, incisive - is combined with the craft and storytelling skills of born writers.'-Christos Tsiolkas'Harrowing but humane. An extraordinary story, impeccably researched.'-Martin McKenzie-Murray' A compelling account of one of Australia's most notorious cults . The authors trace the extraordinary life of a woman who operated ''at the edges of human belief''.'-The Saturday Age A powerful work of investigative journalism that reveals the legacy of a notorious cult. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781925321678
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Seller: Manyhills Books, Traralgon, VIC, Australia
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Trade Paperback. Condition: Near Fine. Reprint. Signed by both authors. Trade Paperback. 274 pages. Signed by both authors. *** PUBLISHING DETAILS: Scribe, Australia, 2017. Reprint. *** CONDITION: This book is in near fine condition. More specifically: Covers have no creasing or wear. Spine is uncreased. . Pages are lightly tanned. Short gift inscription in ink. *** ABOUT THIS BOOK: The apocalyptic group The Family and their guru, Anne Hamilton-Byrne, captured international headlines throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Hamilton-Byrne, who some followers believed was Jesus Christ, was glamorous and charismatic -- and, many allege, very dangerous. She acquired children -- some through adoption and some born to cult members -- and raised them as her own, bleaching their hair blonde to make them look like siblings. The group, which grew out of Anne's yoga classes in the heady days of the countercultural movement, became surrounded by rumours of LSD use, child abuse, and strange spiritual rituals. In 1987, police swooped on The Family's lakeside compound and rescued children who claimed they were part of Anne's future master race. The children recounted terrible stories of near starvation, emotional manipulation, and physical abuse. But Anne could not be found, sparking an international police hunt that involved Interpol and the FBI. Could they bring Anne to justice? Today, the elderly Anne lives in a nursing home with dementia. She has only one criminal conviction to her name, but her estate is estimated to be worth millions. Her few remaining followers attend her bedside. How did such a notorious group come to flourish in suburban Melbourne? How did Anne, one of few female cult leaders, maintain a hold over her followers? Drawing on police files, diary entries, recordings of Anne, and original interviews with survivors and investigators, The Family goes inside one of the most bizarre cults in modern history to expose its strange and shocking story. *** Quantity Available: 1. Category: Groups, Clubs & Associations; ISBN/EAN: 9781925321678. Inventory No: 24050161. Seller Inventory # 24050161
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