Inside Scientology

The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion

By: Janet Reitman

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Scientology, created in 1954 by a prolific sci-fi writer named L. Ron Hubbard, claims to be the world's fastest-growing religion, with millions of members around the world and huge financial holdings. Its celebrity believers keep its profile high, and its teams of "volunteer ministers" offer aid at disaster sites such as Haiti and the World Trade Center. But Scientology is also a notably closed faith, harassing journalists and others through litigation and intimidation, even infiltrating the highest levels of government to further its goals. Its attacks on psychiatry and its requirement that believers pay as much as tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars for salvation have drawn scrutiny and skepticism. And ex-members use the Internet to share stories of harassment and abuse.

Now Janet Reitman offers the first full journalistic history of the Church of Scientology, in an even-handed account that at last establishes the astonishing truth about the controversial religion. She traces Scientology's development from the birth of Dianetics to today, following its metamorphosis from a pseudoscientific self-help group to a worldwide spiritual corporation with profound control over its followers and even ex-followers.

Based on five years of research, unprecedented access to church officials, confidential documents, and extensive interviews with current and former Scientologists, this is the defining book about a little-known world.

©2011 Janet Reitman (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A detailed and readable examination of the life of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the church, and his successor, David Miscavige." ( Publishers Weekly)

Intriguing

Very informative listen. Narration is excellent throughout. Especially the narrator's statements of Tom Cruise. Glad I did not get involved.

A book that outrages, horrifies and mystifies

As you listen to this book you wonder just HOW so people can give their lives and souls to such a corrupt organisation and laughably silly "religion". You will hear how absolute power does indeed corrupt absolutely. The narration is excellent considering this is non-fiction - the narrator captures the emotions and desperation of some of the protagonists of the account very well.
Despite Scientology providing so ammunition for the author to attack with, the author does try credibly well to produce an balanced account - indeed some of the "pro" Scientology accounts are some of the most interesting parts of the book - where current Scientologists come across as deluded optimists. The scariest part of the book was in the final few pages when a current 2nd generation Scientologist declares they want to study law and be a judge. After listening to this book, you want no one from this religion in any kind of position of authority, let alone a judge!

Fascinating!

Janet Reitman's Inside Scientology is a fascinating, detailed chronological history of Scientology. The reader does not gain an understanding of the doctrines of Scientology that are so much bandied about in the popular media. It is clear one must buy the Scientology courses to learn these, and hence perhaps become a Scientologist. Instead, Reitman presents an overview of the tech-based, acronyms of Scientology.

The history is important because for the first time, as Reitman states, Scientology has permitted an author access to its people, many of whom have been shunned and maybe even physically harmed; locations, many secretive and outlandishly plush; and doctrines, many so far out of the realm of traditional thought that one wonders how Scientology could be classified as a religion in the United States, yet banned in some other countries. The reader gets a clear picture of the negative side of Scientology, its leaders and how they maintained control. One should also be prepared for an occasional step into science fiction.

I won't be a spoiler and divulge the conclusion to this history. Yet Reitman asks a seminal question as to how Scientology could have ever gotten started and permitted to flourish.

Stephen Hoye does an admirable job as narrator with a nice pace and great listening voice.

An excellent purchase for me!

Balanced reporting, too long.

What did you like best about Inside Scientology? What did you like least?

As unbiased as was possible, considering the subject. Way too involved for the casually interested, like myself. I confess I skipped many chapters.

Did Stephen Hoye do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

He did a fine job but I would have preferred a woman in this instance, since it was authored by a woman.

What else would you have wanted to know about Janet Reitman’s life?

I thought this would be more about Ms. Reitman's personal experience with Scientology and how it may have helped or not been helpful in her experience. The preview indicated this.

Any additional comments?

I would buy this again only if I had a very deep and passionate interest in Scientology, either for or against.

Interesting Topic and Story

This book was very detailed and surprisingly long. The author was descriptive enough to keep my attention without being boring. What an amazing "religion".

Perfect overview

When I was ten, eleven, twelve, I used to stop by the Scientology storefront in Hollywood occasionally and grab one of their questionnaires. I'd take it home, answer it, and bring it back in. They'd analyze it very quickly (as I recall) and sit me down with someone who would talk about what my answers revealed. It was my first exposure to personal analysis of any kind and was surprisingly useful and telling for me.

But I never went beyond that, never paid, never read a book, never considered believing.

Then, many years later, I realized I had a very dark view of the organization and I wanted to reconcile my various naievetes. This book, certainly slanted to the negative side of the story, provides some hints to the positive side, and gave me an excellent understanding of why I have seen the organization with such dark lenses. It also helped me better understand how I could explore the positive and effective areas of Hubbard's work.

Spooky how people can still believe in Fables

What was one of the most memorable moments of Inside Scientology?

The control that the scientologist members give to the leaders.

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

Great reader. Read with emotion

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

Yes. It was a book that I didn't want to end..

SUPERB BOOK

Any additional comments?

I have read all I can about this cult, both books & internet, so was very surprised to learn so much more. It is brilliantly written & really does give on a full insight as to how insane it was when it al started & how shocking it is to this day. I would recommend though for a deeper look into the inner working as to how horrific Scientology is Leah Remini's book & also Jenna Miscarriage Hills, they will blow your socks off. They both got a full five stars from me & when started, could not stop listening.

Comprehensive exposè of a secret society

Detailed account of Scientology from comprehensive utopian philosophy designed by Hubbard, to authoritarian secret organisation

Interesting...

A little drawn out with some of the details but, interesting. Glad I read it.