Michael Largo is known as the “Capote of Kaput”—high praise to be compared to Truman Capote. A meticulous researcher, Michael tackles the issue of God’s Lunatics: Lost Souls, False Prophets, Martyred Saints, Murderous Cults, Demonic Nuns and Other Victims of Man’s Eternal Search for the Divine. The title had me hooked at “Demonic Nuns.”

Written in encyclopedic form, the books starts with “A” and the word Abracadabra.

Michael says 90% of cults’ recruitment strategy involves a deadline to help recruit disciples faster.

Michael told amusing stories about famous people in his book, including: The Patron Saint of Ice Skaters, Conrad of Marburg, The Flying Nuns, Sister Aimee, John Frum—US Navy vet of World War I and Mrs. Marion Keech (who evangelicals still study today to learn about building a following quickly).

Listen to the entire interview here: