Going Clear

Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief

By: Lawrence Wright

Narrated by: Morton Sellers

Length: 17 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

National Book Award Finalist

A clear-sighted revelation, a deep penetration into the world of Scientology by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Looming Tower, the now-classic study of al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attack. Based on more than two hundred personal interviews with current and former Scientologists—both famous and less well known—and years of archival research, Lawrence Wright uses his extraordinary investigative ability to uncover for us the inner workings of the Church of Scientology.

At the book’s center, two men whom Wright brings vividly to life, showing how they have made Scientology what it is today: The darkly brilliant science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, whose restless, expansive mind invented a new religion. And his successor, David Miscavige—tough and driven, with the unenviable task of preserving the church after the death of Hubbard.

We learn about Scientology’s complicated cosmology and special language. We see the ways in which the church pursues celebrities, such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta, and how such stars are used to advance the church’s goals. And we meet the young idealists who have joined the Sea Org, the church’s clergy, signing up with a billion-year contract.

In Going Clear, Wright examines what fundamentally makes a religion a religion, and whether Scientology is, in fact, deserving of this constitutional protection. Employing all his exceptional journalistic skills of observation, understanding, and shaping a story into a compelling narrative, Lawrence Wright has given us an evenhanded yet keenly incisive book that reveals the very essence of what makes Scientology the institution it is.

©2013 Lawrence Wright (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Brings a clear-eyed, investigative fearlessness to Scientology . . . a rollicking, if deeply creepy, narrative ride, evidence that truth can be stranger even than science fiction." (The Washington Post)

“A hotly compelling read. It’s a minutiae-packed book full of wild stories.” (The New York Times)

“An utterly necessary story. . . . A feat of reporting.” (The Wall Street Journal)

Outstanding

I knew going in that the Church of Scientology had done bad things, but this book opened my eyes to the horror.

Excellent

Great insightful companion piece to the documentary. Very in depth. The depths of insanity are unreal.

Amazing!!

I like it I get to learn about Scientology a lot, now I can try to read more

Intriguing & Frightening

He sells himself as a nuclear physicist who had a brilliant military career. In reality he was an awful student that dropped out of college & his military career had far more blunders than most.

L. Ron Hubbard, a desperate yet charismatic malignantly narcissistic science fiction writer, creates a religion with just enough grains of initial reasonableness to entice people searching for something.

It’s fascinating, mind blowing, sad & terrifying that Scientology continues to exist, but leaving it… well, I get that the price may be too high.

Not just another cult book

you can tell this author mindfully and thoughtfully sought out to write about this organization. and what he uncovered led to a disturbing unveiling and revelations. this cult loves to attack folks who attack them and I'm proud of this guy speaking all the undisclosed truths and discoveries that were revealed to him and his team. great job and great read.

I was there...

My story is long but in short I was in the Sea Org for about 8 years.

I was 20 yrs old. I read Dianetics and it made so much sense to me. A few months later I was on staff on a Church and a few weeks after that I joined the Sea Org. I then ended up in the RPF as well and eventually left. I wanted to make a difference and truly felt that this was the way to do it. Scientology was making a positive change in my life and my family as well.

I ended up in middle management. I got to work with pretty much all the celebs in Scientology, i.e. Tom Cruise, John Travolta, etc. The pressure to perform was immense. I knew Tommy Davis and worked with him as well.

The audio book delves into the earlier life of LRH. Things I didn't know about him were shocking but then again isn't the life of people who want to change the world weird or shocking as well?

"Because The People Who Are Crazy Enough To Think They Can Change The World, Are The Ones Who Do.” - Steve Jobs.

I never met David Miscavige or worked with him directly so I can't confirm him beating up people. Do I believe it? Yes, I do. The pressure where I was working was so intense I can only imagine what it must have been like for those in upper management or those that worked with Miscavige directly. Evidence of course is also the fact that many high level executives have since left the church and their stories match as well.

Many things in the audiobook rang true for me and took me back. For the most part I think the author captured what it's really like in Scientology especially in the Sea Org.

I was captivated by the overall story and the narrator did an excellent job as well.

To this day I truly believe Scientology works. I believe it has been ruined by bad management and an arrogant leader which is why I left. It's really sad. I think the author described this perfectly. He gives many examples of how Scientology has had positive changes in people's lives. But like I said, it comes down to the management which has to change.

Scientology works. I have see it first hand many times. Too bad people are being turned away from it because of the Church's arrogance and bad publicity it creates.

Listen to this audiobook. You will not be disappointed. Just keep in mind that Scientologists are some of the most honest, caring and hard working people ever. I met some great people there and think of them all the time.

So informative that I fear for Lawrence Wright.

I bought this after hearing part of an interview with the author on public radio, and was so engrossed in it that I couldn't stop listening. While I knew a few things about Scientology, I knew next to nothing about L. Ron Hubbard, and it was fascinating to hear his history (particularly compared with the sanitized history put forward by the COS). Honestly, it was quite shocking to have to keep in mind that this man had somehow founded a powerful religion with a net worth in the billions. He frankly comes across (in his OWN WORDS) as a delusional, paranoid narcissist. I also recently read a book about Jim Jones and People's Temple, and I was really quite struck with the similarities between Jim Jones, L. Ron Hubbard, and David Miscavige. In fact, I found myself chuckling at the irony of L. Ron Hubbard having his empire more or less stolen by another charismatic charlatan.

It blows my mind that so many people could buy into such weird ideas, or that any such belief could persist after the first instance of abuse that is described as affecting all but the high-priority celebrities. I had no idea the COS was so endemically homophobic, or that there was any connection between it and Prop 8.

It was an eye-opening look at current celebrities and their relationship with the COS. I'm sure that Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Jenna Elfman, and others will be very upset about having some of their activities involving the Church detailed. (Travolta actually comes across as a fairly decent guy.) The story of the Church auditioning actresses for the role of "Tom Cruise's new girlfriend" was so sexist and appalling that I think I will henceforth refuse to ever watch another movie he's in. If it is in fact the case that he and other celebrities involved in Scientology are unaware of its abuses, it is only through willful blindness- and they should be ashamed of it.

Gripping story

This is a spellbinding book read by an excellent narrator. It was both frightening and fascinating and didn't want to put my iPod down. It was well researched and well written and I would highly recommend it.

Darkly fascinating

This book was incredibly researched and guides you through many webs. I couldn't turn it off.

A creepy rabbit hole of a prison religion!

Any additional comments?

Love how much actual first hand knowlege Lawrence Wright got from former high ups in scientology to put into this book. Also like how he describes a lot of the wierd beliefs these people have but didnt make fun or criticize the beliefs, only criticized the human rights violations the church has committed. Someone can look at any religion and find all kinds of wacky things about it, but this one ruins your life if you try to escape it.