EDITORIAL REVIEWS

“A masterful and unflinching revelation."

“Bravo, this is a really powerful personal and thoroughly researched exposé. It’s both illuminating and disturbing in equal measure.

“Some books inform, some books expose—few manage to do both with the precision, depth, and courage found in this work. A personal and masterful account, it takes readers on an unflinching dive into a dark underworld of João de Deus that had been carefully and systematically concealed for so many years.

“As powerful as it is disturbing, the book weaves together an intricate narrative of Brazil, João, and the forces that shaped his practice. The author does not shy away from the complexities of the story, instead presenting a brave account that demands to be read with both an open mind and a critical eye.

“The fact that João was once endorsed by Oprah Winfrey serves as a stark reminder of the level of deception that can operate in plain sight. It underscores how easily charisma, power, and influence can be mistaken for virtue—often at a devastating cost.

“This book is not simply a story about one man from Brazil, but rather a story for our time, a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind faith in authority figures and the need for personal discernment. In an era where we are increasingly encouraged to outsource our own power, this book serves as a necessary wake-up call.”  Dr T. Edmunds, Clinical Psychologist, London

“An impassioned, revealing account of the dark side of a “miracle worker.”

“Bailot explores João’s background, from his birth in 1942 in a desolate part of Brazil to his possible involvement in clandestine operations with the military in the 1960s. The early pages of the book provide a wide swath of information: The text addresses subjects from the history of Brazil’s capital of Brasilia to a crash course in Spiritism to the locations of João’s postings while he was in the army.

“The story hits its real stride when the author gets to his personal account—his narrative of falling into João’s orbit is vividly populated with people desperate for cures and others more than willing to exploit them. He pulls no punches in his criticism, noting that one woman who worked with João 'could easily be cast as a Nazi prison guard.'

"This is a brutal and honest telling, and altogether unsettling." Kirkus Reviews

“A brilliantly written historical account, this harrowing story of João de Deus not only exposes the shocking events but also immerses readers in the rich and complex society and culture of Brazil. At times difficult to read but even harder to put down, it is a gripping and deeply detailed exploration of power, deception, and the forces that shaped a nation.”Debra Lynne Katz, PhD, author

“The tragedy of John of God - spirit healer, multi-millionaire, violent criminal, serial rapist - begs for explanation. How could a man blessed with such gifts and charisma, who clawed his way out of dire poverty, with such a capacity to do good for his fellow Brazilians, have so fully betrayed those who trusted him and, indeed, his lifelong legacy?

“Weaving together a thorough understanding of Brazil’s complex colonial, military, and religious history, Michael Bailot paints a damning portrait of religious power corrupted and unchecked. Bailot writes from a unique, personal perspective, having had a relationship with John’s healing Casa, but finding himself dangerously in the crosshairs of John’s criminal enterprise. He brings comprehensive context to the enigma of John of God. It’s an important book and well done.

“I found Cult of John to be powerfully compelling, at turns scary and enraging. It’s well written and told with a good ear to engage the audience. I can see this being a true resource for anyone who wants to have the full picture of João. I’ve already been recommending it to friends.” Dereck Daschke, PhD, Professor of Philosophy & Religion