The following may books may be purchased online at Amazon or at major bookstores, unless otherwise stated (also check your library):

Understanding Mind Control / Recovering From Spiritual and Emotional Abuse

Herbert Armstrong / Worldwide Church of God

Biblical Studies

Recovering From Shame and Sexual Abuse 

Spiritual Comfort/Inspiration

Special Interest

The New Age Movement/Occult

Understanding Mind Control / Recovering from Spiritual and Emotional Abuse:

Captive Hearts, Captive Minds: Freedom and Recovery from Cults and Abusive
Relationships by Madeline Tobias and Janja Lalich

Take Back Your Life: Recovering From Cults and Abusive Relationships by Janja Lalich and Madeleine Tobias

Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan

Recovery from Cults: Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse, edited by Michael D. Langone

The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse: Recognizing & Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church by David Johnson & Jeff VanVonderen

Cults in Our Midst: The Continuing Fight Against Their Hidden Menace by Margaret Thaler Singer

Recovering From Churches That Abuse by Ronald Enroth
This book may also be read online

Releasing the Bonds - Empowering People to Think for Themselves by Steven Hassan

Damaged Disciples: Causalities of Authoritarian Churches & The Shepherding Movement by Ron & Vicki Burks

Trauma and Recovery by Judith Lewis Herman, M.D.

The Emotionally Abused Woman: Overcoming Destructive Patterns and Reclaiming Yourself by Beverly Engel

Battle for the Mind: A Physiology of Conversion and Brainwashing by William Sargant

Scripture Twisting: 20 Ways the Cults Misread the Bible by James W. Sire

When Prophecy Fails (A Social & Psychological Study of a Modern Group That Predicted the Destruction of the World) by Leon Festinger, Henry W. Riecken and Stanley Schachter
Order from: Alibris Used, Rare or Out-of-Print Books

Snapping: America's Epidemic of Sudden Personality Change by Flo Conway & Jim Siegelman

Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism by Robert Jay Lifton, M.D.

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini, Ph.D.

Without Conscience: The disturbing world of the psychopaths among us by Dr. Robert D. Hare

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

The Faith Healers by James Randi
 

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Herbert Armstrong / Worldwide Church of God:

Important reading for anyone researching HWA and WCG
(Check used bookstores)
 

Broadway To Armageddon by William B. Hinson, 1977
Hinson, a former WCG minister exposes a system of bondage that enslaves the minds and bodies of its members. Hinson writes with love and experience and with hope that others will be miraculously delivered by God from this bondage.

Armstrongism: Religion or Rip-Off? (An Expose of the Armstrong Modus Operandi) by Marion J. McNair, 1977
As a former member and employee, "The author has observed the degree of bondage to which many souls have fallen and has hammered out this thesis in an effort to replace the spirit of fear and tyranny with that of true Christian Liberty." Chapters 2 and 3 give an analyses of Herbert Armstrong's co-worker letters, revealing the propaganda methods he used in order to solicit donors and then con them out of thousands of dollars. Also covers his many false prophecies and the decay and decline of his empire.

Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web (An Insider's View of the Worldwide Church of God) by David Robinson, 1980
An insider's view of the strife-torn Worldwide Church of God. What is Herbert Armstrong's real power base? Is he really backed by God as he claims? The author writes from firsthand knowledge with deep disappointment and has come to agree with Solomon who advised against putting trust in men. NOTE: The last chapter of this book which covers the incest story may be read on our site.
NOTE: We have this book available as 3 zip files. If you would like it in that format, please email us and request it.

The Truth Shall Make You Free: Herbert Armstrong's Empire Exposed by John Tuit, 1981
John Tuit initiated the lawsuit brought by the Attorney General of California against Herbert Armstrong, Stanley Rader, and other leaders of the Worldwide Church of God.
Note: John Tuit held to many of HWA's doctrines (covered mainly in chapter 20 of this book. These doctrines are covered in ESN's critical review of critical review of Mystery of the Ages).

Daughter of Babylon, The True History of the Worldwide Church of God by Bruce Renehan
This book may be read online (Please be aware that this is posted on an agnostic/atheist site.)

The Armstrong Empire: A Look at the Worldwide Church of God by Joseph Hopkins, 1974

Beware 'Ambassadors' Bearing Gifts by Des Griffin.
This article is in Emissary Publication's Newsletter #25.
This article may be read on our site.

Is Armstrong's Cult Now Orthodox? (A New Look at the Worldwide Church of God!) by Dr. Robert L. Sumner. Copyright 2000.
A frank, candid appraisal. (The ESN and OIU Newsletters are briefly mentioned in the booklet.) Read quotes from this book on our site.
Order from: The Biblical Evangelist  

The following additional books are helpful in refuting Armstrong's doctrinal errors

Armstrongism: The "Worldwide Church of God" Examined in the Searching Light of Scripture by Dr. Robert L. Sumner, 1974.
The author of this book was the first to raise a public voice against the heretical teachings of Armstrong and his movement. Very helpful in understanding how Armstrong perverted and twisted the Scriptures.
Order from: The Biblical Evangelist
Order used from: Alibris Used Books or Amazon. 

Armstrongism's 300 Errors Exposed (by 1300 Bible verses) by S. E. Anderson, 1973
This exposé of Armstrongism is the result of long and concentrated study of the cult's magazines, books, tracts, correspondence lessons, and personal letters. The author has spent 50 years in Bible studies, preaching and teaching. (290 pp)
Order from: Amazon or check used bookstores.

Ambassadors of Armstrongism by Paul N. Benware, 1984
An Analysis of the history and teachings of the Worldwide Church of God
Order from: abebooks

Seventh Day Adventism Renounced by D. M. Canright
A classic book which not only shows the errors of Adventism (a group that HWA received and plagiarized much of his teaching from), but goes in depth concerning why the Sabbath was abolished. Important chapters are XI: "Did the Pope Change the Sabbath?" and Chapter XXI: "Forty-Seven Prominent Texts Used by Sabbatarians Examined."
This book may also be read online.

The Plain Truth about Armstrongism by Roger R. Chambers, 1972, 1988
Valuable background information about the teachings of Armstrongism; examines and repudiates the arguments set forth in United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy. Chapter 2 shows HWA's error on "The Sabbath and the Law." (165 pp)
Order from: All Discount Books or Amazon.

Herbert Armstrong: Mr. Confusion by Roger F. Campbell
Small 7 page booklet, but very good.
Order from: The People's Gospel Hour (search for the title on this page)

The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin
NOTICE: Try to find the older editions (i.e. 1985 or earlier) of this book. They are now very hard to find, so check libraries, ebay, book sales, and used bookstores. Note: The chapter on Herbert Armstrong and WCG which was taken from the book may be purchased in softcover through Alibris Used Books. The new versions of KOTC with "Forward by Hank Hanegraaff" approves and participates in the deceptive WCG agenda, and Chapter Four on "Mind Control and Thought Reform" was written by Gretchen Passantino who debunks mind control and who is closely aligned with Christian Research Institute. For more information on Passantinos, read offsite article by Greg Reid entitled The New Inquisition. [Update: Bob Passantino died of a massive heart attack 11-17-03.]  

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Biblical Studies:

The Dawn of World Redemption by Erich Sauer
A survey of the history of salvation in the O.T. (Out of print; may be bought used.)  

The Triumph of the Crucified by Erich Sauer
A survey of the history of salvation in the N. T. (Out of print; may be bought used.)  

An Everlasting Love: A Devotional Study of the Gospel of John by John G. Mitchell. 
Order from: Alibris Used Books or other used book dealers.

How You Can Have the Assurance of Salvation by J. Vernon McGee
A reassuring booklet based on I John 5.
Order from: Thru the Bible Radio Network
This booklet may also be read online.

Jesus Christ IS God! by Robert L. Sumner
One of most comprehensive works defending the Deity of Christ. Chapter two confronts the arguments which say the Holy Spirit is an impersonal "it" and Chapter five covers "Life After Death."
Order from: The Biblical Evangelist
May also order from: Amazon. 

Seventh Day Adventism Renounced by D. M. Canright
A classic book which not only shows the errors of Adventism (a group that HWA received and plagiarized much of his teaching from), but goes in depth concerning why the Sabbath was abolished. Important chapters are 11 and 21: "Did the Pope Change the Sabbath?" Chapter XXI: "Forty-Seven Prominent Texts Used by Sabbatarians Examined."
This book may also be read online.

Major Bible Themes by Lewis Sperry Chafer
52 Vital Doctrines of the Scripture Simplified and Explained.

Classic Christianity by Bob George
Note: Study Guides on various topics, i. e., "A Closer Look at the New Covenant," "A Closer Look at Law and Grace," and "A Closer Look at the Resurrection," are available through People to People Ministries. 

Reasoning With Jehovah's Witnesses (online book by Kevin Quick)
Since Herbert Armstrong copied many of his doctrines from the JW's, this study is helpful in comparing a number of his teachings with Scripture. This book is a collection of 800 Bible verses that objectively and soundly refutes the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses on every major point of doctrine.
This book may be read online.   

The Holy Trinity by H. A. Ironside
Uses key verses from both Old and New Testaments showing the Trinity is clearly taught in Scripture. Originally published in 1941; now available in paperback.

Bible Word List (Difficult KJB Words Made Clear) by Trinitarian Bible Society
Small booklet gives brief explanations of words in the Authorized Version that are no longer in everyday use, or now used with different meanings.
Order from: The Bible for Today (search their catalog for the title)

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Recovering From Shame and Sexual Abuse:

On the Threshold of Hope: Opening the door to healing for survivors of sexual abuse by Diane Mandt Langberg, Ph.D.

Released from Shame: Recovery for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families by Dr. Sandra D. Wilson

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Spiritual Comfort/Inspiration:

Shade of His Hand: For the Comfort of the Sorrowing by Victoria Booth Demarest (The Westminster Press,1944)
Out of print; available through Barnes & Noble or used book stores.

On Comfort: Words of Hope for the Hurting by J. Vernon McGee
Of special interest is chapter 1, "The God of All Comfort" and chapter 3, "Death of a Little Child." Each chapter can be ordered as a separate booklet for a small fee.
Order from: Thru the Bible Radio Network   

Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray
A classic book written many years ago, but very inspiring and profound.
This book may also be read online.  

The Power of the Blood of Jesus by Andrew Murray
Classic book revealing the glorious power of the blood of Jesus and the wonderful blessings procured for us by it.
This book may also be read online.

The Blood of the Cross by Andrew Murray

The Autobiography of George Muller
Muller recounts his struggles and triumphs as he establishes orphan homes to care for thousands of English children, depending only upon God's response to prayer to supply the daily needs of the orphans. By the time Muller was old, God had shown Himself faithful to ten thousand children.

George Muller of Bristol: His Life of Prayer and Faith by A. T. Pierson
A very inspiring classic biography on the life of George Muller. Shows that God is faithful to all who put their trust in Him and that He will not forsake those who rely upon Him. For those who were affected by Armstrongism, this book will also reveal the way a true servant of God conducted himself in his personal life and in the "work of God."
This book may also be read online.

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Special Interest:  

The Evolution Handbook by Vance Ferrell
Thousands of solid scientific facts, disproving every basic area of evolutionary theory. Most complete refutation of evolution available in a single book.
Order from: Evolution Facts
This book may also be read online. 

The Secret History of Alcoholism: The Story of Famous Alcoholics & Their Destructive Behavior by James Graham.
A relevant book given the fact that Herbert Armstrong was known to be an alcoholic. The author asserts that alcoholism causes egomania, displayed in such behaviors as denial, lying, overachievement, ethical deterioration, false accusations, rejection of friends, grandiosity, aggressive sexual behavior, multiple marriages, unreasonable resentments, and superficial emotions.

Talking in Tongues! by J. Vernon McGee
Order from: Thru the Bible Radio Network

Attack on the Bible by John R. Rice
Order from: Sword of the Lord

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The New Age Movement/Occult:

Understanding Deception: New Age Teaching in the Church by Roy Livesey
Covers many subjects. (New Wine Press, England)
Order used copy in the United States.
Order used copy in the United Kingdom.

Deceived on Purpose: The New Age Implications of the Purpose Driven Church
by Warren Smith

Running Against the Wind: The Transformation of a New Age Medium and His Warning to the Church by Brian Flynn

The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow by Constance Cumbey
Much on the New Age movement; includes front organizations.

Between Christ and Satan by Kurt E. Koch
The dangers of fortune-telling, magic, spiritism, occult literature. Includes case histories of healing and freedom and how Christ is the Victor.
Order from: Alibris Used Books 

Occult ABC: Exposing Occult Practices and Ideologies by Kurt E. Koch
Discusses 71 occult practices and ideologies of today in light of Scriptural principles. Includes the effects of occult practices and how liberation comes through Christ.
Order from: Barnes & Noble  
Read a number of excerpts from the book.

New Age Cults & Religions by Texe Marrs
Contrasts the false--sometimes bizarre--and unorthodox teachings and practices of the New Cults. Also covers Worldwide Church of God (Herbert Armstrong)

Masonic and Occult Symbols Illustrated by Dr. Cathy Burns
Order from: Liberty to the Captives
 

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