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)

Best. Footnotes. Ever.

Okay, I admit it, I am a sucker for books about the weird stuff people choose to believe in, and the origins of those beliefs, so I was definitely in the target audience for this book. I was fascinated by the details of LRH's biography (both the real and invented) and by the details of the Church's workings. But I have to admit, my favorite thing about the book was that, after every claim that might remotely raise an eyebrow, the author would drop a footnote: "[insert celebrity's name here]'s lawyers deny that [celebrity] ever __________." The narration was good, if occasionally monotonous (after all, how many times CAN you say "_____ denies ever doing ____"

Fantastical

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

Yes and have. you simply can't believe page after page-I have read many WWII and Nazi and Hitler histories...that anyone can follow another person's crazy path blindly...

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Too many to count. The many eyewitness accounts of the new leader of the S's hit punches and chokes his subordinates on a regular basis. That and LRB has been to Venus frequesntly and travels from star....to star

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

I enjoyed his pace. It's hard not to be exhausted reading one incredulous item after the next...he delivers without the hint of sarcasm unless intended by the author. His reading of the interview iwth Miscaviage and Koppel was particularly good.

If you could give Going Clear a new subtitle, what would it be?

An Investigative look into the world of Scientology

Any additional comments?

The reason I didnt give it a 5 was that I thought the author missed one key point (which just might not be ever known btw) what drove LRH to this level of fantastical thought? I read the dentist part...I get the basic answer-the explanation where the inspiration for Dianetics came from...but why not stay there...why go so deep into outerspace (figuratively). For a man that started with science and proof as a goal to end up so far away is hard to understand. To force others to live a certain way you to and to never question your own religion-is the opposite of the study of life.

Illuminating and hard to put down

If you could sum up Going Clear in three words, what would they be?

Scientology is scary.

Any additional comments?

I went into this book thinking that scientology is some weird, relatively harmless religion. It is not. It's as terrifying as it is ludicrous.
The book works hard be factual and unbiased, providing comments from people and organizations mentioned.

Outstanding Account, Exceptionally Reaserched

Wonderfully detailed account of what this organization is all about. The epilogue is outstanding. Very long but worth the time to finish.

Creepy Story, well told.

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

Definitely, for those who love a story about a mysterious and evil cult.

What did you like best about this story?

The details uncovered were a great act of investigative journalism by the author. Well researched to give a fleshed-out picture of an insane and powerful cult. It portrayed our vulnerability as humans to belong and the exploitation of that weakness by sinister forces.

Which character – as performed by Morton Sellers – was your favorite?

N/A

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

Absolutely, and I almost did.

Any additional comments?

I didn't want it to end!

Investigative journalism at its best

Any additional comments?

I am a fan of Lawrence Wright, whose specialty is investigative journalism focused on religion. As with his other works, Going Clear is meticulously researched relying on interviews with Scientology spokespersons, former members, church documents as well as the public record. What you get is a history of Scientology, a bio of its founder L. Ron Hubbard, and insight into its tenets, practices, and purported abuses. There is a particular focus on the church’s cultivation of celebrities and the story of screenwriter/director/disaffected member Paul Haggis provides a narrative focus. The audiobook is critical of Hubbard and Scientology though Wright takes pains to present both sides where possible and to his credit approaches the material with a journalist’s impartiality. One criticism I have of the book is that it quickly leaps from Hubbard’s writing of Dianetics to Scientology having been established, leaving me to fill in the details of how the movement took hold/expanded and Hubbard grew rich. Despite this, Going Clear is a fascinating and entertaining read that demystifies Scientology, though its adherents will probably feel otherwise.

Fascinating...

I was curious about this book and then, once I started listening could not stop. Extremely well done - both the writing and the performance. If you have any curiosity about Scientology, you should check this out!

This stuck with me

Thought it was going to be a mild ride through about a wacky cult/religion. I was completely overwhelmed by the history and present day activities of Scientology and its leaders. Completely engrossing and well told. Far darker than I expected. Just awesome.

Informative, unbiased, and an excellent read about the religion

Lawrence is a fantastic writer. I sincerely enjoyed his viewpoint on the Church of Scientology as it was brought calmly and directly. Morton Sellers read slowly and with great attention to each word. I recommend listening to this book and also watching the HBO film “Going Clear”. Five stars all the way!

This is the story of idiocy gone off the deep end.

The reader is so good it kept me going and going and going.

I would not say it was horrifying. No. It was typical of unrestrained power --while at the same time, the power has no moral training. The power is useless, predictable, and without merit. The writing, however, is way above average. I figured it would be. Hubbard, and Miscavige after him are complex and destructive people. The religion of Scientology is even worse than I thought. It's a brainwashing deal. The leaders have been nothing more than thieves. That figures. The book then is informative and it displays the reality of a nasty organization. With all that said, I enjoyed it.

This religion is a CULT. No doubt.