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Ruthless
- Scientology, My Son David Miscavige, and Me
- Narrated by: Harvey Betancourt
- Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins
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Publisher's summary
The only book to examine the origins of Scientology's current leader, Ruthless tells the revealing story of David Miscavige's childhood and his path to the head seat of the Church of Scientology, told through the eyes of his father. Ron Miscavige's personal, heartfelt story is a riveting insider's look at life within the world of Scientology.
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Weldon Long knows firsthand that Maui is nicer than prison. After 13 years of federal and state incarceration, he emerged a transformed man: a powerful speaker, driven motivator, and successful trainer/entrepreneur. Long holds a BS in law and an MBA in management, despite dropping out of high school in the ninth grade.
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What’s the point?
- By Elliot king on 10-21-21
By: Weldon Long
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Bear
- The Life and Times of Augustus Owsley Stanley III
- By: Robert Greenfield
- Narrated by: Sean Runnette
- Length: 6 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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The creator of the dancing bear logo and designer of the Wall of Sound for the Grateful Dead, Augustus Owsley Stanley III, better known by his nickname, Bear, was one of the most iconic figures in the cultural revolution that changed both America and the world during the 1960s. Owsley's high octane rocket fuel enabled Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters to put on the Acid Tests. It also powered much of what happened on stage at Monterey Pop.
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wow
- By Brian Harnois on 10-12-20
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Class 11
- Inside the CIA's First Post-9/11 Spy Class
- By: T.J. Waters
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Written by one of its own graduates, Class 11: Inside the CIA's First Post-9/11 Spy Class is an insider's view of the first CIA training class after September 11, 2001 - a look at the most elite and secretive espionage training program in the country.
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Save Your Money
- By Daniel on 11-27-06
By: T.J. Waters
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The Last Rescue
- How Faith and Love Saved a Navy SEAL Sniper
- By: Howard Wasdin
- Narrated by: Daniel Butler
- Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
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The Last Rescue is an unforgettable tale of brokenness and healing, going deep into the firing line of modern warfare, through the agony of broken marriages, and onto a path of redemption and love. With a clear-eyed view of the inevitability of heartache and the power of God's faithfulness, Howard and Debbie remind us that no matter what our circumstances, we should never, ever, give up hope.
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Narrators
- By Trey Lewis on 03-27-15
By: Howard Wasdin
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Crossing Over
- The Stories Behind the Stories
- By: John Edward
- Narrated by: John Edward
- Length: 4 hrs and 45 mins
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In Crossing Over, John brings his listeners with him on the extraordinary journey that has been his life since his New York Times best seller One Last Time was published in 1998. In the style of his TV show and personal appearances (poignant, funny, and remarkably candid) John deals head-on with the controversial issues he has confronted on his voyage as a psychic medium. Listeners might be surprised to learn that it hasn't always been smooth sailing.
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Intriguing and entertaining
- By Betty on 05-10-09
By: John Edward
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The Reluctant Spy
- My Secret Life in the CIA's War on Terror
- By: John Kiriakou, Michael Ruby
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
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Long before the waterboarding controversy exploded in the media, one CIA agent had already gone public. In a groundbreaking 2007 interview with ABC News, John Kiriakou called waterboarding torture - but admitted that it probably worked. This book, at once a confessional, an adventure story, and a chronicle of Kiriakou's life in the CIA, stands as an important, eloquent piece of testimony from a committed American patriot.
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Fascinating Read about the CIA
- By Nancy on 05-13-10
By: John Kiriakou, and others
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Raven
- The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones and His People
- By: Tim Reiterman
- Narrated by: Mitch Horowitz
- Length: 29 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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Tim Reiterman's Raven provides the seminal history of the Rev. Jim Jones, the Peoples Temple, and the murderous ordeal at Jonestown in 1978. This PEN Award-winning work explores the ideals gone wrong, the intrigue, and the grim realities behind the Peoples Temple and its implosion in the jungle of South America.
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What a very thoroughly written book!
- By Traci P. on 04-22-17
By: Tim Reiterman
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Bare Bones
- I'm Not Lonely If You're Reading This Book
- By: Bobby Bones
- Narrated by: Bobby Bones
- Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
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Story
Growing up poor in Mountain Pine, Arkansas, with a young, addicted mom, Bobby Estell fell in love with country music. Abandoned by his father at the age of five, Bobby saw the radio as his way out - a dream that came true in college when he went on air at the Henderson State University campus station broadcasting as Bobby Bones while simultaneously starting The Bobby Bones Show at 105.9 KLAZ.
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A look inside the narcissist life of Bobby Bones.
- By Selena on 05-20-16
By: Bobby Bones
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All Things at Once
- By: Mika Brzezinski
- Narrated by: Mika Brzezinski
- Length: 5 hrs and 53 mins
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As the co-host of MSNBC's popular morning show Morning Joe, Mika Brzezinski has established herself as a leading political news journalist and beloved television personality. She daily interviews world leaders - Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John McCain - and discusses the major events of the day with guests like Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather, Andrea Mitchell, Chris Matthews, Maureen Dowd, and Tom Friedman. But success hasn't always come easy for Mika.
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All Things at Once
- By Sheila on 12-02-10
By: Mika Brzezinski
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Loudmouth
- Tales (and Fantasies) of Sports, Sex, and Salvation from Behind the Microphone
- By: Craig Carton
- Narrated by: Craig Carton
- Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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In this debut, Carton invites the listener to join him as he recounts tales from his suburban youth, defends his long-held love affair with the New York Jets, reminisces about the shenanigans of some of the highest paid and most celebrated athletes playing today, and reflects on his work as one of radio's craftiest, most hilarious personalities ever to get behind the microphone.
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Fun but too much about early life
- By Anthony A. Ciaccio on 07-13-13
By: Craig Carton
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In 1971 Paulette Cooper wrote a scathing book about the Church of Scientology. Desperate to shut the book down, Scientology unleashed on her one of the most sinister personal campaigns the free world has ever known. The onslaught, which lasted years, ruined her life and drove her to the brink of suicide. The story of Paulette's terrifying ordeal is told in full for the first time in The Unbreakable Miss Lovely.
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A "CHURCH" THAT IS DESTRUCTIVE. INSIDE SCIENTOLOGY
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Marc Headley provides an insider's view of life as a member of Scientology's "Sea Organization". Marc worked at Scientology's secret desert compound, which houses all Scientology management, for 15 years. The 500-acre property is located deep in the California desert. The local townspeople were told lectures and films were made there. But is that all that was happening? It is the location of a multi-million-dollar home for L. Ron Hubbard, built two decades after his death. It is the home of Scientology's current leader, David Miscavige.
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In 1971 Paulette Cooper wrote a scathing book about the Church of Scientology. Desperate to shut the book down, Scientology unleashed on her one of the most sinister personal campaigns the free world has ever known. The onslaught, which lasted years, ruined her life and drove her to the brink of suicide. The story of Paulette's terrifying ordeal is told in full for the first time in The Unbreakable Miss Lovely.
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Marc Headley provides an insider's view of life as a member of Scientology's "Sea Organization". Marc worked at Scientology's secret desert compound, which houses all Scientology management, for 15 years. The 500-acre property is located deep in the California desert. The local townspeople were told lectures and films were made there. But is that all that was happening? It is the location of a multi-million-dollar home for L. Ron Hubbard, built two decades after his death. It is the home of Scientology's current leader, David Miscavige.
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She’s a cool lady! You have to listen to it.
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The revealing and inspiring memoir of a woman forced into polygamous marriage in FLDS Church and her brave struggle to protect others from the same fate. Rebecca Musser grew up in fear, concealing her family's polygamous lifestyle from the "dangerous" outside world. Covered head-to-toe in strict, modest clothing, she received a rigorous education at Alta Academy, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' school headed by Warren Jeffs.
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Compelling and emotional read
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Escape
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When she was 18 years old, Carolyn Jessop was coerced into an arranged marriage with a total stranger - a man 32 years her senior. Merril Jessop already had three wives. But arranged plural marriages were an integral part of Carolyn's heritage: She was born into and raised in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), the radical offshoot of the Mormon Church.
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Like a train wreck you can't turn away
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The Program
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Many have heard of NXIVM and its creator, Keith Raniere, the unassuming Albany man now prosecuted for ensnaring tens of thousands of people in the US, Mexico, Canada, and elsewhere to do his bidding and pay millions of dollars to participate in his self-improvement methodology. But where did Keith Raniere begin? Enter Toni Natalie, Keith's Patient Zero, the first one indoctrinated into Raniere's methodology and the first one to escape.
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Important addation to the NXIVM story
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Breaking Free
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In this searing memoir of survival in the spirit of Stolen Innocence, the daughter of Warren Jeffs, the self-proclaimed Prophet of the FLDS Church, takes you deep inside the secretive polygamist Mormon fundamentalist cult run by her family and how she escaped it. Born into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Rachel Jeffs was raised in a strict patriarchal culture defined by subordinate sister wives and men they must obey.
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Heart breaking addition to the FLDS cult story
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What listeners say about Ruthless
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- susan rios
- 05-05-16
Ruthlessly Honest ~ An Engrossing Read!
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Even if you've never heard of Scientology, this book would be interesting. Because I was in Scientology, (for many years), I found this book especially fascinating. I believe Ron told his story as truthfully as possible, and in fact, it actually helped me remember some of the reasons I got into Scientology! However, I would never go back, because I know what he writes about is truthful, and what has happened within the group is so sad, and harmful.
I was in it in the 70's and 80's, and got services from a "field auditor". The group was wonderful, and definitely used the "tech" with good intentions. It was a great time!
I'm sorry for the reason Ron decided to write the book, but I'm glad he wrote it.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Well, the author is my favorite character, and I have a lot of respect and affinity for him after hearing his story.
What does Harvey Betancourt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I almost always prefer to listen to the author, but I think Mr. Betancourt did a good job reading this one.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
I think the title is perfect as it is.
Any additional comments?
I got out of Scientology because I saw the harmful things that were happening in the organization. I read and listen to information about the "church", because I was personally involved for many years, and I know many of the people talked about. I was especially interested in Ron's story, and I found it fascinating. If I met Ron, I'd give him a Big Hug!
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23 people found this helpful
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- DadNamedChad
- 05-13-16
Not very enlightening
There are far better 'exposés' like "Going Clear" and "Troublemaker" about the so called church, I was hoping that as the father of the leader there would be far more salacious insight.. But none that haven't been covered elsewhere (and more effectively) already. Narration & writing are also really quite laborious through most of the book.. It's just ok
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22 people found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 05-04-16
Wonderful
This the number one book that every one should read who have or has any interest in learning about scientology. Beautiful written by Ronald Miscavige, the father of the David Miscarriage. The leader of this cult. A MUST READ YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED...... NAMASTE to Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Miscavige for sharing your difficult story so honest and open, I know it could not have been easy.
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9 people found this helpful
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- MsDayPlanner
- 05-05-16
I've already "read" this one twice...
Would you listen to Ruthless again? Why?
I'm already on my third time of listening to this book and have listened to it all the way through twice (pretty good since it was just released yesterday). It's an interesting "read" and well done so I find that I listen to it throughout the day, whether driving in my car or working at my desk.
What other book might you compare Ruthless to and why?
I've been reading a lot of the Scientology scandal books so I'd probably compare it to Church of Fear, Troublemaker, Inside Scientology, the few that I own and have listened to a few times already. I just find the topic interesting and keep wondering which of these books it's going to take to wake up the membership to change leaders...maybe this one, this one was pretty disturbing. But since they're pretty much kept from reading or researching things from the outside it's doubtful. But I would like to know if David Miscavige had a chance to read it and what his reaction was. THAT would probably make an interesting read too.
What does Harvey Betancourt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Actually, I liked the prelude read by Mr. Miscavige himself and probably could have listened to him read it too. As Mr. Betancourt takes over (right after the prelude) it's a little awkward but once he gets going I like his tone and he does make it more interesting. I also find that when I listen to the book, and I've been listening to several of them on this topic by now - I pick up on the similarities or same people from book to book and hearing their names or incidents is easier for me than just reading. Plus I don't always have time to sit down and give my undivided attention to a book but I have plenty of time walking around the mall, driving in my car, or even lying in bed, that I can listen to a book.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Not really. I was a little horrified to hear that David Miscavige was having his own father trailed by private investigators and told them to let him die and not intervene on his behalf if they thought he was dying. But I've read so much of this by now that I'm not really surprised - but I was surprised that this was his own father. Just one more brick on the wall of truth about this cult.
Any additional comments?
One of the things I liked about this book was the story of Scientology as told from one of the old timers who still had some understanding of and belief in the value of some of the techniques. I don't doubt that somewhere sometime this may have been just one of the many metaphysical self-help techniques of that time, and they really did want to change the world and make it a better place - and there's nothing wrong with that - but the more I read about when David Miscavige took over, the more I realize that that's what went wrong - maybe not the techniques at all. But he definitely seems like a mad cult leader...and I keep wondering what it's going to take to make that known.
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8 people found this helpful
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- Janet Matthews
- 05-05-16
Cult!
Interesting read
A father's story of his family. This book is written about a family's pain.
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7 people found this helpful
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- Kelley
- 05-17-16
Remove from cart
It's true. I may have over served myself on the Scientology peeping lately, especially since Inside Scientology, my first, is still by far my favorite. And just so we're clear, books are the extent of my relationship to Scientology. I've never been near it otherwise.
Okay so, let me start. This book is lame.
As I listened , I kept thinking, "Did I just pay money to let an old man bore me to tears? There are three geezers at the donut shop down the street who will do it for free," Why should I care about any of this? Because he has a semi famous son?
Well, there's not much about the son in this book. David set out on his own at a young age, so this is hardly an insider account. And besides, Ron Miscavige (back to the old dude at the coffee shop) only wants to talk about himself. He wants to make sure we all know about his stellar musical career and hilariously unscrupulous money-making schemes and wife-beating mishaps.He wants to namedrop and toot his own horn. He is a huge narcissist (under 5'6"), who's spun a yarn out of his everyday life and sold it! The man's still got his conman chops.
The blatant narcissism was interesting for a few chapters, but then it got annoying and then dull.
Unless absolutely anything negative about Scientology is fun for you, I can't imagine you would like this book.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Chase
- 05-07-16
VERY INSIGHTFUL POWERFUL ENDING
This is a great insight into the structure and mental framework in the Sea Org (Scientology's elite paramilitary group) that keeps the machine going.
I highly recommend this to anyone interested in learning about the dark inner workings and enslavement that binds Scientology's most dedicated parishioners to their work.
The book really shows the reality of the most dedicated Sea Org members and how their day to day life is different than the Scientology dictator/supreme leader David Miscavige.
It also covers in depth the harsh family shredding policy enforced by the church known as disconnection.
Having been a Scientologist myself and having had direct experience with this destructive and abusive practice I can vouch with absolute certainty that this information is accurate.
This book will serve as a wild wake up call to those unfamiliar with the church's abusive practices, and just how far it will go to manipulate and control its followers.
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- dwaterway
- 05-04-16
Self-serving
I just finished listening to this book and found it to be self-serving to the author and left me with a better understanding of what might have assisted in David M becoming the paranoid megalomaniac he is described as being... He was raised by a parent who was self-absorbed and self-focused. From that perspective, the book was interesting. In terms of wanting to know the author better, it was like being on a bad date with someone who wants you to know how wonderful they are and how mistreated they have been. I feel bad for the author, but wouldn't want a second date.
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- Kindle Customer
- 02-09-17
Very enlightening and Very sad
Very Sad that this is even called a church. To much power given to anyone cause evil intent!
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- Dan
- 09-15-16
Psychopath
Ron's son is undoubtedly a psychopath. But because his wrath is directed primarily at those that make up the core of the cult, he is personally destroying it from the inside. For that we should all be grateful.
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