Inside Scientology

The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

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

Very detailed and very long

very detailed account about the "religion" almost too much. The history part on how it started was fascinating but it quickly droned into the same thing minute after minute.

Interesting story yet a bit confusing plot

What did you love best about Inside Scientology?

An amazing story about an amazing man and his organization. Yet another example of home brew religion coming out of the American experiment. Yet this one has tapped into something powerful that lies within all humans. L. Ron Hubbard discovered a weakness that is within all of us and was able to exploit it with frightening consequences.

My only negative would be a confusing storyline. I found myself lost in terms of the development of the "plot"

Great book. Really interesting.

I couldn't put this book down. Really well written - threads of specific characters carry you through the history of Scientology to the present. Scary stuff.

The go to book if you want unbiased opinion about Scientology and late LRH

The go to book if you want unbiased opinion about Scientology and late LRH

Always heard and read about it but never got a grip of what it really is till read this book!!

Not very exciting and sometimes dry but still couldn’t it it down till done!!

Fascinating and Frightening

This is the first time I have bothered to write a review...so bear with me. This topic is fascinating and left me feeling nauseous, frightened and completely amazed by what people will buy into! Everyone should read this book if they are at all interested in looking into how small interest groups with big money can influence the judicial system, local, federal and international governments. I disagree with other reviewers that the subject matter is dull - not at all - it is fascinating (granted I also like to listen to NPR) it is the narrator that is doing this book a HUGE disservice. HE IS BORING. Also - why is it read by a man when it was written by a woman and she occasionally writes in the first person? just wondering. If you don't mind slogging through the boring narration I say give it a go - otherwise read the book - BUT avoid looking up photos of those involved in wrongful death lawsuit on internet - some of them are very macabre.