A Billion Years

My Escape from a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology

De: Mike Rinder

Narrado por: Mike Rinder

One of the highest-ranking defectors from Scientology exposes the secret inner workings of the powerful organization in this remarkable memoir that is “not only a cautionary tale but also an inspiring story of resilience” (Leah Remini, New York Times bestselling author).

Mike Rinder’s parents began taking him to their local Scientology center when he was five years old. After high school, he signed a billion-year contract and was admitted into Scientology’s elite inner circle, the Sea Organization. Brought to founder L. Ron Hubbard’s yacht and promised training in Hubbard’s most advanced techniques, Rinder was instead put to work swabbing the decks.

Still, Rinder bought into the doctrine that his personal comfort was secondary to the higher purpose of Hubbard’s world-saving mission, swiftly rising through the ranks. In the 1980s, Rinder became Scientology’s international spokesperson and the head of its powerful Office of Special Affairs. He helped negotiate Scientology’s pivotal tax exemption from the IRS and engaged with the organization’s prominent celebrity members, including Tom Cruise, Lisa Marie Presley, and John Travolta.

Yet Rinder couldn’t shake a nagging feeling that something was amiss—Hubbard’s promises remained unfulfilled at his death, and his successor, David Miscavige, was a ruthless and vindictive man who did not hesitate to confine many top Scientologists, Mike among them, to a makeshift prison known as the Hole.

In 2007, at the age of fifty-two, Rinder finally escaped Scientology. Overnight, he became one of the organization’s biggest public enemies. He was followed, hacked, spied on, and tracked. But he refused to be intimidated and today helps people break free of Scientology.

“An intensely personal, cathartic memoir of blind allegiance, betrayal, and liberation” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), A Billion Years reveals the dark, dystopian truth about Scientology as never before.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Michael Rinder. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Loved the book!

I just about inhaled this book! Finished in 2 days. This book is a bomb and Scientology has good reason to freak out. I enjoyed the narration, not all authors are good at narrating. Well done Mike!

Excellent book!

I wasn't sure what to expect from Mike Rinder's book since so much has already been told about this cult. But I was thoroughly surprised by all the additional info Mike shared with us through the book. Mike did an excellent job narrating and I was always anxious to read the next chapter. I highly recommend it.

Brilliant

I was very sad when this came to an end. I have held an interest in Mike Rinder ever since I saw him on the BBC Panorama series in 2007 and 2010. I followed his blog donated money and enjoyed his HBO series so I was delighted to see he was releasing his own book.
The book is superb and grabs your attention from the first pages, it was truly fascinating to hear the insight of someone who spent so long in Scientology and one who reached the top and ultimately the bottom. Mike diligently narrates well, especially for his first time. To end, I personally am having some major changes in my life, something that he given me lots of reflection, heart ache and worry. This book really helped my mindset and made me realise I don’t have it so bad, look how difficult it must have been for Mike Rinder walking out of Scientology in 2007 at the age of 52 losing everything and slowly coming to the realisation of what Scientology really was. The stress and emotions must have been damaging . This book has my highest recommendation!!!

A Must-Read (Listen)

Whether you're morbidly interested in the sheer horrors of $cientology's inner workings and tactics of truly sadistic sociopaths, or just want to be awed by the unbelievable strength of Mr. Rinder as he overcomes the evils he was subjected to, this is an amazing book. Doesn't drag, never boring, difficult not to binge. (The one thought I kept having from midway on was wondering in all seriousness how that little runt still manages to be alive. *smh*)
Thank you for your courage, Mr. Rinder. Absolutely recommend!

Well done!

Even after watching all of the Aftermath episodes and documentaries I found this book filled with so much more of Mr. Rinder’s personal story. A very interesting and thoughtful read.

excellent, very informative

Very insightful, Mike's done a wonderful job performing as well, got me some moments

Very detailed facts exposing a dangerous cult

My Review of A Billion Years

This was an excellent audiobook and, in my opinion, one of the most detailed accounts I’ve heard from a Scientology whistleblower. I’ve listened to other first-person narratives from those who’ve escaped the organization, but this one stood out for its depth, clarity, and insider perspective. The storytelling was direct and easy to follow, making the complex inner workings of Scientology understandable to someone unfamiliar with its inner circle.

I am genuinely sorry for the author’s battle with cancer. The Bible says, “Your body is a temple,” which I interpret to mean that if we abuse our bodies throughout life, the consequences can be severe. The trauma he endured, combined with long-term habits like smoking, likely contributed to his health challenges, and I sincerely wish him strength and recovery.

That said, this is not a flawless account. While the book exposes undeniable corruption, cruelty, and psychological abuse within Scientology, it also reads—at times—like a personal vendetta. And perhaps he has earned that right. But the narrative leaves me wondering: if David Miscavige had treated him better, would he have left? Based on the tone and content, I suspect not. I suspect his loyalty to L. Ron Hubbard’s vision would have remained intact, which is a sobering commentary on how deep the indoctrination ran.

The author’s story mirrors many others—people enduring years of mistreatment before finally reaching their breaking point. While his eventual departure is commendable, the reality is that he caused irreparable damage to both his own family and to many innocent people during his decades of unquestioning service. That cannot be overlooked, and penance should not be measured solely by the act of speaking out.

I am also left questioning the author’s current beliefs. The book suggests he still holds onto certain Scientology concepts, such as “dropping the body” and entering another—an idea akin to reincarnation but filtered through a lens I find both illogical and preposterous. That he maintained such beliefs well into his fifties raises questions about the depth of his deprogramming.

Despite these criticisms, I do believe the author is now doing good work. Scientology is a destructive, manipulative organization that deserves to be dismantled—its assets seized, its tax advantages revoked, and its influence stripped away. The financial and legal tactics described in the book are shocking, though sadly not unique; powerful governments and corporations employ similar strategies to grind down opponents.

In the end, A Billion Years is a compelling, disturbing, and important testimony. The author was once a key enabler of a corrupt empire—arguably not far removed in loyalty and obedience from the top lieutenants of history’s most infamous dictators—but his voice now contributes to dismantling that very machine. I hope he continues that fight and that he has the strength to face not only his illness, but also the full weight of his past.

Interesting and Enlightening

A very interesting delve into the inner workings of a so called "religion" that most people are unaware of but should be.

Mike is a truly decent soul

I have been following Mike’s journey since first learning about him while being fascinated with his and others stories when Leah Remini first broke out. But even knowing as much as I did about anything he has made public, I was still floored at some of the stories that he tells here. I wish the entire aftermath crew all the happiness in the world and I admire them and their courage being the David against the monster Goliath, Scientology more than I can even express!

I wanted to get the audio version to be able to still listen even when not able to read a book, but once I found out that mike was reading it himself, I pre-ordered it immediately!

It was everything I hoped it would be and more. I look forward to hearing about the next chapter in this circle’s lives and recommend this book as highly as I can recommend anything!

Very Interesting Book

I have read a number of books written by former Scientologist in the past, so I have heard some of the incidents Mike Rinder's discussed in his book. However, he did put some of those incidences into a new light or expanded on those incidences. Then he also talked about some things that I've never heard about, even after watching interviews Mr. Rinder has given in the past.

for example, I never heard about when the Sea Org took over the Guardian's Office, after operation Snow White. So I found this book a very good read/listen and would recommend it to anyone curious about Scientology and the evil things that Scientology dose.

I also feel bad for him, as he lost his family for doing what is right. I hope someday his kids have their own moment of realization and leave Scientology.