This book presents a lot of facts, and it really makes you think. If you are looking for a book that explains excactly what Scientology IS, this isn't the book for you. If your looking for a book about what Scientolgists DO, this is your listen! The book gives a frightening account of what people with so much power and so little common sense can do.

This was a great book. I find cult religions endlessly fascinating and make no mistake THIS is a cult religion. It is well written and well read. If you have no interest in this subject matter then it is not worth it.

This booked bored me in parts.

I don’t really care about the details of L Ron Hubbard's life, but I suppose if you’re going to tell the story of Scientology, you have to start from the start - I should have expected that.

I was also uninterested by the Sea Organization and reading about life on the boat was tedious, but once the story moved onto the death of Lisa McPherson, attracting celebrities, and “The Seduction of Tom Cruise” etc my interest perked up.

I guess I was looking for something more gossipy than educational.

The control that the scientologist members give to the leaders.

Great reader. Read with emotion

Yes. It was a book that I didn't want to end..

I really don't see how a follow-up book could make the 1st book better. This story started great, shocking information on Scientology's founder, but fell flat mid way.I never did finish it. Sorry... but the 2nd half couldn't keep my attention.

Really. Nothing not already beaten to death everywhere. Just reformatted old news. Which I suppose just goes to show you what you get when a topic is popular on the web.

COMPREHENSIVE IMPORTANT GRIPPING

The portions of interviews with children who grew up in scientology in the midst of a world where technology has exploded.

The narrator has never, in my experience, been very good at portraying different voices, particularly female ones. His narrative portions are quite good, but his depiction of female subjects are no different from the narrative flow itself. I must also insert here that having a male narrator read a book written by Reitman, a female reporter, is an odd choice. At times, Reitman will insert herself in the story, and it's a bit of a shock having the narrator insert "personal" insights.

Many other reviewers have done better than I at describing this book, but I will add my voice to them. This book is intricate in its describing the many aspects of scienntology, from the beginnings of the religion to the personal stories of current and former scientologists. It is well-balanced and fair, though Reitman is quietly critical of scientology. There are spots that drag, particularly regarding scientology's battle with the IRS and obtaining tax-exempt statuus: and there are many interview subjects and language that gets confusing. Beyond that, this book is intense and should be of interest to anyone thinking of joining scientology or having a fascination with religions.

I enjoyed the book and education behind the "religion"

yes but I expected a female narrator because the book was written by a female

no

This book was insightful into the origins of not the creator of Scientology as well as how the organization currently operates. Some of the stories I expected but others were pretty disturbing, especially given the protection given to them by their status as a recognized religion in the US. What I found very interesting is the attempts by Scientology to remain mysterious and have secret information only given to members that reach a high level within the organization. With all the technology and access to information provided by the Internet, it is hard to keep much of anything hidden when people are allowed to come and go from a group, even though this group tends to keep tabs on high members that leave. I think this book as a whole shows an example of how an idea can spark faith and a religion.

If you are like most people who are iterested in knowing more about this organization, but are afraid to Google it because you think the members will arrive at your door like a visitor from outer space this book provides a good overview. It was actually during a visit to Clearwater that my curiousity was aroused, this was pre Tom Cruise mania. I felt that the author did an excellent job dealing with the more personal aspects of belonging to this group. I felt that there was one fatal flaw...why was the narrator a man??? The book was obviously written by a women and every time the narrator said "I" it was very disconcerting. While the narration was excellent it really didn't make any sense, to me, not to have it read by one of your female narrators!