The book is a large-scale and in-depth study of the phenomenon of destructive cults of the 21st century. The authors guide the reader through the history of cult formation—from ancient mysteries to digital gurus—revealing universal psychological and social mechanisms that make these systems so resilient and so dangerous. The purpose of this book is not to scare the reader or to launch a hunt for “heretics.” Its task is more complex and more important: to understand the inner logic and operating mechanisms of modern destructive cults, arming readers with knowledge rather than fear.