Beyond Belief

My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape

By: Jenna Miscavige Hill

Narrated by: Sandy Rustin

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Non-Fiction, 2014

Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige, was raised as a Scientologist but left the controversial religion in 2005. In Beyond Belief, she shares her true story of life inside the upper ranks of the sect, details her experiences as a member Sea Org - the church's highest ministry - speaks of her "disconnection" from family outside of the organization, and tells the story of her ultimate escape.

In this tell-all memoir, Jenna Miscavige Hill, a prominent critic of Scientology who now helps others leave the organization, offers an insider's profile of the beliefs, rituals, and secrets of the religion that has captured the fascination of millions, including some of Hollywood's brightest stars such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

©2013 Jenna Miscavige Hill (P)2013 HarperCollinsPublishers

Informative

Where does Beyond Belief rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was interesting and informative. It is not my usual choice but it definitely kept me interested. I hope to find more books written with this style.

What did you like best about this story?

The realism.

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

I had no listened to any others but I will certainly consider more of her work.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to anyone that would like more information into Scientology. I had no interest but now I feel more informed.

interesting story

I thought the story was compelling, lots of revealing info. a little too repetitive at times. The way the kids worked and we're treated at the ranch and sea org was horrible and continuing to give example after example was not necessary, though it was her story to tell . thanks to her for sharing it.

Great view into Scientology

I think with Jenna being the niece of the leader of Scientolgy you get an account of some of the beat and wort people in the organization are treated. while she was shielded from so much because of her powerful relations, she was also made an example of. This is a well put together account and is an interesting story throughout.

Difficult subject

It was hard to listen to child abuse. I did not finish the book. Might go back another time.

Jena being 7 and taken care of sick children everyday

Very well written keeping you engaged. Jena read it amazingly well for you to have an image in your head. Hearing her life in Scientology was very informative as well as sad too as the small amount of of family time they are allowed is so not natural. Def wld recommend this book to other to read

An amazing look inside Scientology

I really enjoyed this book, but I have to say that I didn't find Jenna to be a likable person which makes it even more real. There were times where her descriptions made her sound flat out crazy to me. I guess living in a different reality then everyone else can do that to you. I'm very glad she wrote the book and that I could learn from her experience.

The book feels like it's being written for children because of the tone it sets. I think it might have something to do with Jenna's limited education. That being said it was still entertaining and well performed.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with ears.

Beyond Belief is right

Would you listen to Beyond Belief again? Why?

Not sure I could listen to this book again. It was a great book but realizing how Jenna was robbed of a childhood along with the other children is heartbreaking. I didn't know much about Scientology before and wow...I know more than I want to now. No wonder Katie Holmes took off like she did!

What other book might you compare Beyond Belief to and why?

This was a great book and a must read.

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

The narration was great.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Beyond Belief would be a good title.

Engrossing and Disturbing

I listened Trouble Maker by Leah Remini a while ago and decided to listen to this one now. The writer definitely takes you on a journey. I literally found myself for once understanding how her thinking was molded and how she could become trapped seeing no other way of life. I get it now, especially for children raised in this manner. The scary thing, is this can happen to anyone - literally anyone can become part of any organization and over time become trapped as well.

The narrator is particularly perfect for this book.

I listened to the book very quickly, as I couldn't put it down but in a way, I'm glad that's it's over with because it's just so very disturbing and I needed a break from the darkness.

I think everyone should read books like this....everyone, adults as well as young adults (with their parents' supervision) so that we can all understand how people do get sucked into organizations and beliefs that slowly take over.

A Must Read/Listen!

Heartbreaking story, wonderful narration and time content come together to provide a personal, inside view of a troubling cult. Thank you Jenna for your courage in writing this

What were her parents thinking?

If you could sum up Beyond Belief in three words, what would they be?

Disturbing, difficult, real.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jenna and her brother

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

No, it was too hard to do so.

Any additional comments?

Well-written and insightful. Shows that free thought can win and it is a testament to how intelligent Jenna is.

I know this is critical. I admit that. But I was left infuriated and wondering what her parents were thinking. They abandoned their children. They didn't seem interested in raising them. I understand they thought, on one hand, it was "for the greater good," but these were their children. I know this probably reveals a great deal about me (and my thoughts on my own childhood), but wow. Just wow. I had to stop listening several times out of flat-out rage.

What is David Miscavige (and his anti-child antics) thinking? As this story shows, a basic "truth" about religion is having and raising children in the church is easier to sustain membership than recruitment and fear. Strange, strange, strange "religion."