"The book overall breaks new ground in an under-researched area. This is a must-read for everyone in the field." -- Lukas Pokorny, Religious Studies Review "Perfect Children is a fine demonstration of the continuing relevance of [New Religious Movements] studies and, in its broad coverage, works well as an introduction to some of the key research themes in the field."--Titus Hjelm, Journal of Religion in Europe "Scholars interested in the fields of communalism/cultism, religion (traditional and new religious movements), and sociology-in particular, childhood and family studies-will find her work informative. A major strength of the work is the author's comparative analysis, which incorporates related fields such as human rights, self-realization, literature, education, mind control/brainwashing, women's studies, minority studies, and the power of the internet. Yet, the work is also for lay readers and young people who communicate via online chat sessions. It speaks to the notion of family and to everyone who struggles to belong."--Joanne Hurlbut, Nova Religio "This is a very good book.

It is clearly written with a mass of empirical data carefully analyzed and located within a number of theoretical frameworks. I recommend it not only to scholars of new religious movements for whom it is a must, but also to anyone interested in the dynamics of the socialization of children in minority religions or in nonreligious groups that are on the fringe of society."--Sociology of Religion "Perfect Children is an insightful and sometimes disturbing study of youth growing up in new or sectarian religious movements. The author shows us that the experimental project of rearing "perfect children" comes with a very imperfect road map. With the best of intentions and noblest of spiritual pursuits, the introduction of children into the group changes everything. Amanda van Eck Duymaer van Twist offers us a window into the intimate lives of these offspring, with all the trials, challenges, and choices they face. This work is a unique and vital contribution to the research literature on new religions."--Stuart Wright, Professor of Sociology, Lamar University "This is a ground-breaking study in an important, emerging area in the sociology of new religions: a study of the children born into these movements.

" --Reading Religion.