Going Clear

Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief

By: Lawrence Wright

Narrated by: Morton Sellers

Length: 17 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

National Book Award Finalist

A clear-sighted revelation, a deep penetration into the world of Scientology by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Looming Tower, the now-classic study of al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attack. Based on more than two hundred personal interviews with current and former Scientologists—both famous and less well known—and years of archival research, Lawrence Wright uses his extraordinary investigative ability to uncover for us the inner workings of the Church of Scientology.

At the book’s center, two men whom Wright brings vividly to life, showing how they have made Scientology what it is today: The darkly brilliant science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, whose restless, expansive mind invented a new religion. And his successor, David Miscavige—tough and driven, with the unenviable task of preserving the church after the death of Hubbard.

We learn about Scientology’s complicated cosmology and special language. We see the ways in which the church pursues celebrities, such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta, and how such stars are used to advance the church’s goals. And we meet the young idealists who have joined the Sea Org, the church’s clergy, signing up with a billion-year contract.

In Going Clear, Wright examines what fundamentally makes a religion a religion, and whether Scientology is, in fact, deserving of this constitutional protection. Employing all his exceptional journalistic skills of observation, understanding, and shaping a story into a compelling narrative, Lawrence Wright has given us an evenhanded yet keenly incisive book that reveals the very essence of what makes Scientology the institution it is.

©2013 Lawrence Wright (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Brings a clear-eyed, investigative fearlessness to Scientology . . . a rollicking, if deeply creepy, narrative ride, evidence that truth can be stranger even than science fiction." (The Washington Post)

“A hotly compelling read. It’s a minutiae-packed book full of wild stories.” (The New York Times)

“An utterly necessary story. . . . A feat of reporting.” (The Wall Street Journal)

Good read

Fascinating. Loved it! Great insight into the world of scientology. How much is true? I Will listen to the book again.

Scientology Clearly

What did you love best about Going Clear?

Entertaining, well written, impeccably researched, this book reports both sides of the story, which makes it extremely clear who is telling the truth, and who is lying. The "Church" of Scientology is a massive fundraising operation skilled in deception, fraud and intimidation. It is amazing to read a book that really gets to the heart of the "religion" from its earliest roots to its present incarnation.

What did you like best about this story?

The real biography of L. Ron Hubbard is a fascinating story of a deeply disturbed, but yet enigmatically brilliant mind. It provides a picture of his life you just don't get from reading about him on wikipedia, and while it only forms a part of this in depth story, its an amazingly interesting part.

Good book on fascinating topic

Where does Going Clear rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

High

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

It covers several different areas: L. Ron Hubbard's life, the development of Scientology under his watch, developments after his death, and celebrity interface. The author's tone remains professional and evenhanded covering a controversial topic such as religion.

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

No

Any additional comments?

I highly suggest downloading the enhanced version. The audio is significantly clearer and and more understandable.

A book not soon forgotton

What made the experience of listening to Going Clear the most enjoyable?

This book sometimes seemed like watching a horrible traffic accident - you don't want to watch and yet you can't turn your eyes away. The story had so many levels -Though primarily and ostensibly about the history of Scientology, this book is about so much more - religious freedom, first amendment rights, personal freedoms, how and why we make decisions, the power of groups... I will be thinking about this book for a very long time.

What other book might you compare Going Clear to and why?

I don't typically read books like this (evaluations of modern day societies etc.) as I'm usually afraid they will be extremely biased and sensational. If I had to make a comparison it would be to " Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably the meeting with the author (with his publisher and the publishing house lawyers) and Tommy Davis (and the Scientology lawyers) prior to the publishing of an article he was writing for the New Yorker (which was the basis for this book).

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

There were actually two: 1) the extent of the Church's wealth and 2) the number of members who are people in the "arts"

Any additional comments?

It is also well written and researched (it has excellent footnotes) and provides as balanced approach as possible considering the subject matter.The narrator was a good choice for this books and while he didn't necessarily enhance my enjoyment of the book, his narration did not detract from it.

Unsettling and Compelling

Wright paints a very ugly picture of Scientology, it's founder, L. Ron Hubbard and more than a few people associated with the cult. I found the book simultaneously fascinating and depressing, because despite some of the dark, disturbing places it goes, it's truly interesting and informative. The "Prison of Belief" is an appropriate phrase to include in the title because many of the people described in the book really seem to be prisoners of their own fanatical devotion to a strange religion founded by troubled former pulp science fiction writer. It's hard to believe Hubbard could inspire the devotion he inspired. It speaks to the desperation many of us have to understand the world and ourselves as well as to our ability to blind ourselves to what we don't want to see.

The book some of the celebrities associated with the cult in a very unflattering light and it left me feeling angry with them and angry at our own government for not only allowing some of what's been reported by former Scientologists to go on but for allowing an incredibly well-funded cult to bully their way to tax exemption. Money and fanatical devotion are powerful tools indeed!

I found the reading by Morton Sellers adequate but it certainly takes nothing away from this book. Recommended... but you may want some lighter reading afterwards.

Couldn't stop listening

An extremely thorough, well researched and utterly engaging book. Well written and pulls you in from the first few minutes.

Wild Ride Through the World of Scientology!

Didn't know much about Scientology until I read this book. I saw the "South Park" episode about it and that was about it.

This book seems well researched and it is entertaining. Not sure if everything this guy says is true. But it is a great book and a great read. I don't have a dog in the fight so I don't care one way or another about Scientology but this book was a very fun listen.

This book covers Scientology from the beginning with LRH (L Ron Hubbard) to present day. Interesting stories about something called the "Sea Org" and also about many celebrities and writers that are practicing Scientologist.

I would recommend this book to anyone studying religion or that wants to find out more about Scientology.

An excellent study - Journalistic and engaging

Very engaging. Well researched. I like the way he laid out his case and the order that he presented the information. A fascinating study that I found thoroughly intriguing.

Narration is perfect.

The author successfully demonstrates the oft forgotten truth that members of cults are victims, not wackos-- and he shows the process by which intelligent and reasonable people are ensnared into brainwashing institutions, and why they choose to stay.

Very interesting

The narrator was excellent but a little slow, i recommend 2x speed. The information of Scientology is surprising, sometimes unbelievably ridiculous but above all, it is kind of sad.

Excellent work of investigative reporting

Mr. Wright is a master of getting to the bottom of things. "Going Clear" is no different. I downloaded this book after a recent visit to Clearwater, Florida. I was very amused when I saw the downtown area crawling with uniformed Scientologists. This made me curious, so I did some research and came upon Lawrence Wright's book. It's well worth the listen! If you're in any way curious about the secretive world of Scientology, this is the source.