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)

Informative

This book is well done but I cannot understand why Scientology still has tax exempt status and haven't been shut done for slavery.

Factual and sort of frightening

This book presents a lot of facts, and it really makes you think. If you are looking for a book that explains excactly what Scientology IS, this isn't the book for you. If your looking for a book about what Scientolgists DO, this is your listen! The book gives a frightening account of what people with so much power and so little common sense can do.

Who doesn't love a good cult story?

This was a great book. I find cult religions endlessly fascinating and make no mistake THIS is a cult religion. It is well written and well read. If you have no interest in this subject matter then it is not worth it.

Eye Opening Book

What did you love best about Inside Scientology?

I really enjoyed the historical background provided on LRH and the early members.

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

The idea of holding members against their will. Also, members that pretty much went broke trying to achieve all the levels.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Stephen Hoye?

He was kind of monotone but the subject matter was very interesting,.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Just the stories of the people who left and how they were speaking out.

Excellent

After watching s documentary on scientology I was curious to know more. I found this book very informative and a guide on what else to research in the field.

Not bad

This was a good history of Scientology, going back to the beginning with LRH. It's rather extensive, which is good, but I wish it spent more time on specific stories of abuse.

Inspirational

This is the story of how a dreamer can become a charismatic con man and then a religious leader with thousands of fanatic followers, and his very own pretend navy. It's a story of how those fanatics will swallow anything and will bully and harass anyone who opposes them, until even the mighty IRS is afraid to stand up to them. It shows that no matter how ridiculous the story, if you call it a religion and really sell it, someone will buy it. If anyone can read this book and not be inspired to go out and find their own army of fools, I will be not surprised. Because there are so many idiots in this world, and Hubbard has surely sucked them all in already.

Not Disappointed

Would you consider the audio edition of Inside Scientology to be better than the print version?

I never read the print version.

What other book might you compare Inside Scientology to and why?

Alice in Wonderland. Things get weirder the further in you get.

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

He brings a nice cadence to the story.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Janet Reitman says at the beginning that she is trying to present a fair and objective history of Scientology.

In spite of her best efforts, she can't dispel the notion that you can't spell "crazy" without "Scientology."

Xenu is not your friend

I found this book fascinating and well researched.
Delving deep into the inception of Scientology and the background of its founder L Ron Hubbard. A religion that claims to have the answer for humanity, and then charges you for that information, RED FLAG, that tells me straight away it is not a compassionate religion, and it does not care to save you unless you have deep pockets.
Lets just say if you are a rich Scientologist you will have a better experience than the average Scientologist who has to sign a billion year work contract to access the course materials.
Costs can vary considerably depending upon the needs of the individual, but a rough estimate suggests you’ll be paying $128,000 to reach Clear, another $33,000 to reach OT III, and an additional $100,000 to $130,000 to reach OT VIII, which is the highest level currently available. A money making machine that preys on the feeble minded and whose practices are questionable.

I am still astounded

Detailed investigative look at Scientology, and exciting from start to finish. It was like a train wreck that I could not turn away from. Just when you thought it could not possibly get any wackier--well...buy the book...