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)

Interesting to learn new "Religions"

it is always interesting to learn about new "religions". I found the book interesting but don't think this way of life is for me.

Careful Construction

it is amazing in the court evidence section of the book, when the IRS is bringing charges against the church to loose their religion status, that L. Ron Hubbard had orchestrated his religion so precise that he accounted for all aspects of Scientology to reflect how the other organized religions operate. Genius really.

Amazingly Detailed Account of Scientology

This was a lengthy but well detailed and laid out history of Scientology. It flowed well and kept my interest. Appreciate all of the footnotes to confirm that both sides were routinely consulted. Highly recommend.

Very informative

Well written and explained. He had many resources from ex-members and did research for all statements

Shockingly Great

This was a great book. I really found myself unable to put this down. I somewhat expected a dry, one sided, hatchet job. Instead this was detailed story starting with the early life of the clearly troubled founder of Scientology and continuing to the present day. I fully enjoyed the reading of every footnote. I did not really expect to, but I learned a lot. The writing and the narration were both quite compelling.

I have not been a fan of Scientology since a friend of mine joined, and after a few years called me having just escaped penniless and only wearing his underwear out of a window after a many hour auditing session with several people pointing out body thetons on him that were visible to them but not visible to my friend. I agree many of the ideas of Scientology are no weirder than any other religion, and I always thought the basic idea of auditing sounded interesting and potentially useful, but there does seem to be a pattern of secrecy and intimidation not seen elsewhere. This book presents a pattern of paranoia, violence; control, and hypocrisy with an intensity that is truly shocking. I would recommend anyone thinking about Scientology to read this book first.

Evil Genius....Scientology Unveiled

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away I worked on the same block as the London Headquarters of the Church of Scientology. Pretty much every day, often both too and from the subway station I was approached by cute young things seeking to inveigle me into taking a 'personality test' the first step into the religion. At the time I found this annoying but not actually sinister. Subsequently a couple of friends of mine did get involved peripherally with the organization and they told be horrifying, fascinating tales of how they were ruthlessly pursued for years after only a glancing encounter with the “Church.” Ever since then I have had something of a fascination with this mysterious and dangerous cult.

This book gives a surprisingly even handed account of the life and times of the churches founder L Ron Hubbard, taking us from the it's foundation in the early fifties all the way to the couch-leaping massage-seeking antics of the Churches modern glitterati Tom Cruise and John Travolta. The story is a heady mixture or creepy cult and celebrity machine. It reveals a religion founded on fake science, fake psychology, the manipulation of the young and naive and that most addictive of all drugs… fame. The “Church” as painted in this well written and engaging book has overtones of Hitler’s Germany combined with Apple under Steve Jobs.

It’s well sourced and thoroughly littered with footnotes from the “Church” which fiercely deny each and every well researched accusation and story. There are tales of hubris, violence, abuse which beggar belief. It exposed the weird practices and frankly ludicrous secrets of the organization, prompting the reader to ask over and again…”how could they get away with that?” Perhaps the strangest story is the account of how the Church took on the IRS and beat them at their own game.

If you have ever pondered the weirdness which is Scientology this book will fill you in on the history and hagiography of what has to be the strangest and most successful invented religion since Mormonism. It’s a compelling, strange ride which will leave you shaking your head and maybe reaching for your rosary.

Compelling.

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

Comprehensive, well paced.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The author has a clear intent of trying to find out why scientology is so fascinating to people, especially when it can be so demeaning. As he walks us through the history and events surrounding scientology we get a well balanced picture of past events and present concerns as well as a balance between biographies of different individuals and the grand narrative of the church. He doesn't get bogged down in the minutia of the scientology religious beliefs but you still walk away with a general understanding of the basics. Nor does he get bogged down in a few key incidents, choosing instead to give a grander narrative and weave all the pieces together.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for a good primer on scientology this is it. You won't get all the specifics, but you get a bigger picture of the whole idea of it. I read "Inside Scientology" as well which seemed to be a little too focused on particular events. The Lisa McPherson case takes up at least an hour in "Inside Scientology" but barely 5 minutes in "Going Clear." I also felt like IS gave more specifics as to the beliefs of scientologists. But in the end GC was a better book. It's better written, better paced, and gives a more holistic understanding of the people involved. A good read!

Fantastic Book

Would you consider the audio edition of Going Clear to be better than the print version?

I don't know. I just listened to it. I'm sure I would enjoy the book equally, by reading it.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The fact that there are people wrongfully imprisoned for the sake of "saving the planet". It's Ludacris!

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

Spanky Taylor. Very well performed.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes. I was extremely surprised that this type of organization has lasted as long as it has and continues to tear families apart, exploit the lives of devoted followers, and the false imprisonment of both their liberty and beliefs.

Any additional comments?

Lawrence Wright not only enlightens the reader but also supports his findings on this controversial religion.

Scientology hangs itself in its own words here.

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

belief, betrayal, Totalitarianism

Who was your favorite character and why?

the author -- his relentless pursuit of "what is belief"? Is belief a helpful human condition -- or catastrophic blindness and wishful thinking that harms people? What makes a "religion" ? Beliefs -- when inspected by outsiders -- can seem weird. But bottom line it seems is: is some one free to go/leave the religion -- or not?!

Have you listened to any of Morton Sellers’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

good voice -- must have driven him crazy to keep his tone neutral during parts of this tale of abuses -- but he did. Saying SeaOrg 1000 times must have been a challenge too.

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

Not really -- too much silliness and disbelief (that people believe this stuff) from me at times -- people sure need SOMETHING to believe in, don't they? The author did succeed in pointing out the aspects of S which do help ordinary people -- just don't get too close to the flame I guess is the lesson for this.

Gripping in a clinical way

Would you consider the audio edition of Going Clear to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the print version, but I really liked the narration by Morton Sellers. It was very clinical, in that way Forensic Files or New Detectives was clinical.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Paul Haggis. He is this wonderfully, amazing yet screwed up guy. I loved the fact he didn't bow to anyone (including his church's leaders), but I felt terrible for his family struggles.

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

The narration is dry and clinical, and I love that. Like I mentioned earlier, it feels much more documentary than infomercial.

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

Mission Impossible IV: Revenge of the Psychiatry

Any additional comments?

Fun Topic, Good Narration, Lots of "Wow, that's crazy" moments.