Scientology: Abuse at the Top

By: Amy Scobee

Narrated by: Danielle Plaso

Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

A former top insider reveals the nightmare world of violence and abuse at the highest levels of the Church of Scientology. One review states: "At home alone, a 14 year old girl takes a phone call from Scientology. This starts a quarter of a century journey of manipulation, betrayal and sexual, physical and mental abuse. This journey leads to the highest management echelon and one woman's courage to break free. A real page-turner." - Mark P. Another writes: "Amy Scobee has written a book unlike any other expose of Scientology. She actually was at the top of International Management for 20 years, and oversaw the recruitment of Hollywood stars into the Church of Scientology. She witnessed the abuse of top managers by their senior, David Miscavige. She writes convincingly of the human rights violations she endured while on the Rehabilitation Project Force, a thinly disguised slave labor camp. Her book is enjoyable to insiders and laymen alike, with a glossary of terms provided, and plentiful footnotes. This is an important contribution to understanding the controversy surrounding the Church of Scientology. The glaring spotlight eventually points to Abuse at the Top." - Michael H.

©2010, 2011,2012, 2013 Amy Scobee (P)2013 Amy Scobee

OMG the Narration!

Although I appreciate the inside information and the details of the struggles Amy Scobee went through and I really did want to enjoy this book, I could not get past the narrator. She actually mispronounced 'corps' as 'corpse'! She butchered the English language repeatedly and her phrasing was off by a mile. She also made everything sarcastic - I mean everything. It became very hard to listen to since I started to listen for mistakes instead of getting lost in the book.

Fascinating story - idiotic reader

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, but I'd urge them to wear a mouth-guard because teeth gnashing over the narration is inevitable.

Would you be willing to try another book from Amy Scobee? Why or why not?

Yes.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Danielle Plaso?

Anyone who knows the word is SUPPOSEDLY, with a D, not "supposaBly." What is humorous is that the first time she says "supposably" is just after someone accuses the protagonist of being illiterate. It's the narrator's literacy skills I question. I can't believe no one else caught this and the audio book went on sale like this.

Good Writing....fair narration.

Would you consider the audio edition of Scientology: Abuse at the Top to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version. Although I'm not sure that this book differs much from the written text.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The book is told in 1st person so you follow her experiences.

What three words best describe Danielle Plaso’s voice?

Milena Markovna Kunis

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

I follow the LRH legend like some people follow "Dexter" (and I follow him for the same reasons). This, like the Jenna Miscavige book follows a specific slice of time describing experiences of the author. If you want a fantastic overview look for Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief. But if, like me, you want to drill down into experiences in the SO check out this one and Jenna's book.

Any additional comments?

The reader seems to have some difficulty with reading the text...maybe it's just under rehearsed. But lots of amateur emphasis, rhythm and pronunciation inconsistency.

Horrible Narration-decent story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The book was a fine "inside story". The writing however was hard to read- not because it was difficult but because it was so simple, full of sarcastic comments and name-calling. It was frustrating because the antics took away from the compelling story of the abuse at the hands of Scientology.

Would you be willing to try another book from Amy Scobee? Why or why not?

No. I think she has told her story as best she can

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Danielle Plaso?

Anyone who can read a sentance without having to sound out each syllable.

Ear Abuse

What disappointed you about Scientology: Abuse at the Top?

The reader is annoying to the point of major distraction. I am normally accepting of the occasional error, but this is too much to ignore. I have heard Scobee speak, and this reader does her work and her story a disservice. Words are frequently mispronounced. Additionally, the reader often makes emphases that skew the meaning of a passage or are in the tone of a sarcastic and immature narrator. I hold Audible responsible for making sure that the quality of the reading is high in the books it sells. After all, that is the reason for buying from Audible. Hire someone else to read the book. Scobee would likely be the best choice.

Would you be willing to try another one of Danielle Plaso’s performances?

Absolutely not until she is carefully trained and supervised.

Any additional comments?

Scobee's story, like those of many other documented accounts, makes me disgusted that such an organization gets away with human rights abuses and is able to get the rest of us to subsidize their money-making schemes by allowing them tax-exempt status.

Needs a new narrator but story is very interesting

The story itself was very interesting and eye opening but I will NEVER buy a book narrated by Danielle Plaso ever again. She mispronounced easy words and put unusual emphasis on certain other words. At first I thought it was her accent but no... This narrator just doesn't know how to speak. I know that these readings have a producer so I blame a series of checks and balances for these mistakes. Audible and this author would do better if they availed themselves of another narrator.

Very poor audio

Would you try another book from Amy Scobee and/or Danielle Plaso?

Amy Scobee yes. Danielle Plaso, not so sure.

Would you be willing to try another book from Amy Scobee? Why or why not?

Yes. If it is about scientology.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Danielle Plaso?

An older voice. This voice sounds very young. It doesn't suit the subject matter. It is read like a teen novel, which is very surreal. Emphases are very strange. I had to go back and listen to some sentences again to understand.

Any additional comments?

Audio quality is very poor and the quality changes a lot. Later recordings are edited in..quite sloppy. "Notes" are recorded with a different microphone...sounds like an old fashioned phone microphone...quite annoying and I don't get the point...

the narrater is awful! skip it!

What disappointed you about Scientology: Abuse at the Top?

the narrator is TERRIBLE. I couldn't get past the first few minutes. the story may be fine-but I'll never know. if I could give it zero stars I would

Would you ever listen to anything by Amy Scobee again?

not sure

Would you be willing to try another one of Danielle Plaso’s performances?

NEVER, EVER

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

don't know

Any additional comments?

PLEASE see if it can be reissued with a different narrator?

Butchering Narration!!

Would you try another book from Amy Scobee and/or Danielle Plaso?

I might read another Any Scobee book, but I most certainly would NOT listen to another narration from Danielle Plaso. Her narration makes it very hard to even follow the story. She butchers very syllable. I do not understand why she was chosen to read this, or any other book, to an audience. Her narration is cringe-worthy!

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Danielle Plaso?

Literally anyone else.

Great story.

Really chilling account of her story. Thought that the narrator was a little chirpy and lacked real dark emotion,however the story shone through well.

Boring

This book was chapter after chapter of boring monologue, I listened to four chapters & returned it, the book had no dept whatever, it seemed to me the author was cashing in on being an x member of this cult. Don't waste your money, there are far better, interesting & informative books on this subject available on audible.

Too much jargon

Story got lost with all the Scientology jargon speak/ otherwise would have been easy to understand. Shocking story though that got lost in translation

Amy Scobee is amazing. #heroine

What an incredible story. Amy is an excellent author and she is a true champion. The narrator made a few mistakes, which was more humorous than bothersome. Superb book - definitely worth a listen!!!