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)

Fog of religion

Would you listen to Going Clear again? Why?

After years of gathering information from a variety of sources, Lawrence Wright does a great job of shining a light on the belief system. The story unfolds to reveal the power that celebrity has lent to Scientology and the entitlement held by the celebrities and the upper echelons of Scientology.

Fascinating and entertaining

What made the experience of listening to Going Clear the most enjoyable?

Morton sellers does an excellent job relaying a large amount of information in a very enjoyable way. Be sure to listen to it out loud while working around people you don't want to talk to. They will leave you alone thinking you are listening to a recruitment tape and might ask them to join up.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The revelations about Tom Cruise are astonishing yet not surprising.

I had no clue

I had no clue about the history, reach and power of scientology. The auther did such a great job telling the story and history of it all. It is hard to believe something like scientology could have been created in modern times. Perfect to be made into a movie

great listen

narration was awesome. This is OUT THERE, but that's not the writer or narrator's fault, just that Hubbard was so over the top is was mind blowing at times and I had to pause to discuss with my husband as we read it. Great read/listen. would recommend.

Scary good!

One of my favorite books! I really liked how the story was presented, and most importantly, the author did not insert his own thoughts on the matter -- just laid out the facts and was in fact quite gracious towards LRH and gave him plenty of benefit of doubt. Another thing I liked was that the author did not go on listing all Hollywood personalities involved just for the sake of it. Only the ones that were organically part of the story were mentioned. Tom Cruise is covered in most detail due to his phenomenal success as a movie star and his public advocacy for Scientology. The part about the differences between a cult and religion was fantastic and very thought provoking.

The narration was excellent.

Each Scientologist should listen/read this book, in order to determine whether they still believe they’re not a part of a cult.

Awesome! I just can’t imagine how anyone would willingly inflict this misery on a child. Shame on the All Powerful Tommy Cruise from sticking his pointy nose into what has probably been this cult’s main membership drive.

Best audiobook I’ve ever heard

The narrator is excellent, the material is excellent, the writing is excellent. 10/10 have listened many times

Kudos

Kudos for wading into these deep waters. I found myself having to stop from time to time because of the weight of the material. At times it was like listening to a horror story. I now have a better understanding of why more people don’t leave Scientology. It is because that’s where most, if not all of their relationships exist as well as a version of reality that deprives members of a sense of choice without shame

And it is these relationships that give their life meaning and purpose (even more so than LRH).

Scared the Hell Out of Me

This book should be required reading/listening. The book seems to be very even handed in that, even in the closing words, the author balances his findings with a response from the organization.

Still, in spite of Church of Scientology denials, there is just too much evidence of very dangerous behavior. Germany got it right.

You know, I am a little fearful in posting this because Scientology strikes me as so dangerous and vindictive.

This is the Audible book I had to stop frequently because it is just so disturbing.

Fantastic, if also horrifying!

Any additional comments?

I have read several books and articles about Scientology as I enjoy comparative religions. This is the best book so far. Thorough, even-handed, and fascinating! It was sad to read about the abuse and exploitation of church members by the church hierarchy. As a mental health professional, I felt some of the practices were similar to concepts in psychology and enjoyed reading about those. Ultimately, I found myself agreeing that the odd, science fiction aspects of the church were no more unusual than aspects of other religions - virgin birth, for example - and believing that people should be allowed to practice their faith as they see fit. That said, the human rights abuses that are part of the church were horrific and should be addressed. And I was angered by the surrender of the IRS in giving tax-exempt status to parts of the church that are obviously not faith related such as selling Hubbard's science fiction books that aren't part of the church tenets. Narrator was good although I wasn't always sure that reading the footnotes and spelling out websites was necessary.