Inside Scientology

The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion

By: Janet Reitman

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Scientology, created in 1954 by a prolific sci-fi writer named L. Ron Hubbard, claims to be the world's fastest-growing religion, with millions of members around the world and huge financial holdings. Its celebrity believers keep its profile high, and its teams of "volunteer ministers" offer aid at disaster sites such as Haiti and the World Trade Center. But Scientology is also a notably closed faith, harassing journalists and others through litigation and intimidation, even infiltrating the highest levels of government to further its goals. Its attacks on psychiatry and its requirement that believers pay as much as tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars for salvation have drawn scrutiny and skepticism. And ex-members use the Internet to share stories of harassment and abuse.

Now Janet Reitman offers the first full journalistic history of the Church of Scientology, in an even-handed account that at last establishes the astonishing truth about the controversial religion. She traces Scientology's development from the birth of Dianetics to today, following its metamorphosis from a pseudoscientific self-help group to a worldwide spiritual corporation with profound control over its followers and even ex-followers.

Based on five years of research, unprecedented access to church officials, confidential documents, and extensive interviews with current and former Scientologists, this is the defining book about a little-known world.

©2011 Janet Reitman (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A detailed and readable examination of the life of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the church, and his successor, David Miscavige." ( Publishers Weekly)

Just the Fact That Someone Had the Nuts to....

First off, with all the threats of legal action (and allegedly physical threats as well) it's quite an accomplishment that this book was even written. This book was truly revealing, into just how weird these people actually are. When you find out the past of the guy that created the religion, it will shock you that anyone takes it seriously. I wouldn't be surprised if this book brings down the whole house of cards. I mean, how can you possibly read this and NOT think these people are ignorant sheep at the very least, and clinically insane at the worst??

Just going by what I read in the book, Scientologists. Don't sue me, please.

This is certainly the most well-researched book out there on this subject. The sections about Tom Cruise were quite interesting. Narrarator is outstanding.

The Bernie Madoff meets Michael Corleon Religion

Tom Cruise, Ron L Hubbard and aliens where the only three things I knew about Scientology when I started this book.

However, if Janet Reitman's book is anywhere close to the truth, Scientology is a business that Michael Corleone would be proud "run". As I listened to this book, I continually thought of the scams of Bernie Madoff. Talk about selling absolutely nothing to somebody.... As with the other religions available, there is nothing tangible to show after you donate, tithe or volunteer your time, however, most religions will expect something around 10 percent. This religion is never satisfied until it's followers are broke.

The recruiting methods used to pull big names such as Cruise and Travolta were astounding. The fact that these actors are not aware they were manipulated by people who were strategically placed into their day to day lives is unreal.

This book allows you access to information that 99.99999 % of the Scientology followers can not access.

This book was written and spoken superbly. I have several biopic and historical books in my audio collection. This is the first of that genre that kept me sitting in my vehicle waiting to see what was happening next.

I'm serious, this book reveals a side of this cult that I found quite disturbing.

Brilliantly done, eye-opening and riveting

Reitman has given us a masterfully researched and compellingly written book. I found it riveting and impossible to stop listening. Very well read as well.

'1984' meets 'Nothing to Envy'

"Inside Scientology" is a solid, well-balanced and thoroughly researched investigative report on Scientology. In addition to covering the history and background of the organization and the man who created it, it delves into the lives of people who were (and in some cases, still are) victims of this organization's manipulative tactics.

Parents of susceptible teens would be wise to get this book for their children. In fact, society as a whole would benefit from using this book in schools to caution children/teens of the predatory nature and techniques of cults.

In general, this book is an extremely interesting listen and I highly recommend it. It was reminiscent of Barbara Demick's "Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea", which I also recommend.

A MOVEMENT GONE MAD

Janet Reitman’s "Inside Scientology" suggests Scientology is a movement gone mad. Scientology began with L. Ron Hubbard, a charismatic leader whose self-examination led to a humanist’ interpretation of mind. (Mind is defined as an element of belief and thought about the world and one’s experience in it.)

Hubbard recognized there was money to be made from ideas revealed in his self-examination; particularly, if “Dianetics” (Hubbard’s book about those ideas) could be classified as a guide to a belief system he christened as Scientology in 1953.

Hubbard, like Vladimir Lenin, initiated an ideological organization that grew into something bigger than its ideas could hold. Reitman offers many titillating stories of famous Scientologists like Hubbard, Miscavige, John Travolta, and Tom Cruise. But, the most troubling aspect of Reitman’s reveal is that even if Scientology is not a legitimate religion, it is not humanly equipped to exclusively manage the human psyche. Scientology needs help from the outside world. After listening to "Inside Scientology", one doubts any religion or organization is capable of exclusive responsibility for the human psyche. Evidence mounts for the opinion that Scientology, under the leadership of Miscavige, is a movement going mad.

Very Informative

What did you like best about this story?

Very good book. Very informative. However, a little too much detail caused me to get distracted.

Terrifying

This book adds to the existing literature, to paint a picture of a cult that is out of control. Scientologists have decided that they are not subject to law, and have persecuted their enemies by all possible means.

Ms Reitman has told a story that needs to be heard, and that lawmakers need to listen to before they are subjected to the kinds of persuasion that this cult uses to survive in what it sees as a hostile world.

a deep dive

I only had a cursory understanding of Scientology before listening. I now feel pretty well versed in church history and doctrine.

Has changed my world view.

Excellent critical review and historical account. Thoughtful and incisive look into what scientology is all about.

Very creepy.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this interesting read.

What did you like best about this story?

It didn't seem to go out of its way to ridicule the subject. It seems like a fairly comprehensive history and benefits from testimonials given by various ex-members.

What does Stephen Hoye bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This is the second book I listened to narrated by Stephen. It was a non-fiction as well. He has a good steady voice for this type of book. There was something distracting about his voice when I first started listening to him, but the distraction did not last long.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not in one sitting. It is a compelling book, but found I needed a break from time to time. The way people were treated was pretty creepy.

Any additional comments?

One of the parts of the book that really struck me was about a celebrity who was working his way up through the organization until he reached the part about Zorg. His response was something like "What's all this Science Fiction shit" and he stormed out. They went to work on him and eventually sucked him back in. Pretty persuasive.