Greed and Violence Corrupt ReligionAugust 6, 2008 Monkey On a Stick is a bizarre story of how "...people who had set out to make peace and love ended up molesting children, running drugs, and committing murder" (page 392). It's a fascinating and bizarre true story that will keep any true-crime fan up late turning the pages.
One of the best things about Monkey On a Stick is that it is an "action" book. By that, I mean that there are plenty of bizarre happenings to keep you interested throughout the book. The authors, Hubner and Gruson, are good at pacing; though they recount the history of the Hare Krishnas, they do so in such a way that you never bog down.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the book is the degree to which the Krishnas became involved in crime. You will be amazed that they constantly ran scams in order to raise money. As time passes, the movement's gurus became greedier and more arrogant; somewhat unbelievably, the movement slid into committing murders, dealing drugs, and molesting children - all with the knowledge of (some) of its leaders.
Though I greatly enjoyed Monkey On a Stick, the book has a few limitations.
Though the book is always readable, the narrative is a bit choppy. The authors choose to start with a long section on the Krishna's criminal activities in West Virginia during the 1980s. Then, they go back in time for a long section on the history of the Krishna movement. At the end, they return to West Virginia. Some readers will find the sequencing of Monkey On a Stick to be cumbersome.
I would also add that Monkey On a Stick is, first and foremost, a crime book. The authors do not spend much time on the positive sides of the faith. The book is very negative about the entire movement and you will come away with little sense of why someone might join the Krishnas.
On the whole, however, I recommend Monkey On a Stick to anyone who wants to read a true-crime page turner.
Good for being written by outsidersSeptember 27, 2007 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As former member of ISKCON (12 years - 7 in New Vrindaban), this book was a disturbing catch up on things. I give them a lot of credit for getting names and details right but the writers TOTALLY missed the language and style of the movement. It is an outsider's take but I'm amazed they were able to unearth so much dirt from such an opaque community. Just sayin' ... I could do better ... but don't hold your breath.
A Salutary LessonJuly 8, 2007 Monkey on a Stick is a chilling account of the misuse of spiritual authority and charisma by Kirtananda Swami the head of New Vrindabin, a leading disciple of the founder of the Hare Krishna movement. What was most interesting was the "fall downs" of so many devotees - alcohol, sex, not following the regulative principles and having no appreciation of the spiritual qualities that Srila Prabhupada the founder of the Hare Krishna movement in the west expected them to maintain. Much has been revealed since this book - allegations of pedophilia, the jailing of Kirtananda and the excommunication and rehabilitation of New Vrindabin in ISKCON. It is a salutary lesson of the need for devotees to be honest, to take responsibility for themselves and of their community and this is a book for all Hare Krishnas to read and meditate on. Dhirasanta das
a bias storyJune 12, 2006 1 out of 6 found this review helpful
ISKCON is not a cult. it's sad that the organisation is continuously getting beat up for the mistakes of a few. people have it in for Hare Krishna's. There are so many positive things that go on. it is a branch of hinduism. Hare Krishna's are vaishnava hindus. This story is written by someone who is on the outside. every religion has its problems. This story takes a leader who went a little crazy with power. Drug smuggling, molestation etc. did occur and cannot be denied. however this book capitalises on a scandal in a religious sect. Read the story for some sort of twisted enjoyment but it has no real insight and gives a group who is trying its best to overcome the mistakes of a few in order to lead good religious lives a bad name.
I'm an Ex-memberand it's all true and more.July 26, 2005 3 out of 6 found this review helpful
The amazing thing is it's all true and more anyone interested in this book should also read the "The Guru Business", available online . The author was murdered by a Hare Krishna member the day of it's release in L.A. . I was a former H.K. recruiter and was in a meeting in Boston the day Monkey on a Stick came out. H.K. leaders were freaking out that their dirty laundry was out for the world to see. Many H.K.s laughed and said if they only knew half of it.Later in the 90's it was blown wide open that many kids in the movement were molested.HK kids sued the movement for 40 Mil. More abuses are being perpetrated in the former USSR and in India. Children are still being sent to India into the dens of molesters to HK boarding school. Check out VNN.Org and Chakra.org for more HK Weirdness.
