L. Ron Hubbard: Messiah or Madman? [Hardcover]

Bent Corydon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1994

An in-depth biography that tells the no holds barred story of Hubbard the scam artist and his Church of Scientology.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Barricade Books; Revised edition (June 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156980009X
• ISBN-13: 978-1569800096
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,482,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

134 of 144 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars L. Ron Hubbard: insane, raving, barking mad lunatic, July 4, 2005

By 

Burrowing Owl "Speotyto cunicularia" (American Southwest Desert) - See all my reviews

This review is from: L. Ron Hubbard: Messiah or Madman (Paperback)

Three years ago I found this book at the Goodwill. While some of the book's structure could have been better written, the information was mind-boggeling. The copy I got at the Goodwill was missing a few dozen pages, so I used Amazon.com to purchase a new copy.

After I read the book I filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the FBI to acquire a copy of the FBI's files on Hubbard and Scientology so that I could varify the book's contents. That file, when it arrived, was over 6,000 pages thick. After much study and cross-reference, I concluded that there is NOTHING in the book that has not been varified as factual where and when it was possible to check.

Yes, Hubbard really was a raving madman.

Yes, Hubbard turned his fraudulent and dangerous "self-help" scam into a "religion" only because he wanted tax-exemption status and the other perks cults get from governments (such as the freedom to practice medicine without a license).

Yes, Hubbard was a paranoid schizophrenic.

Yes, Hubbard and his criminal enterprise did indeed engage in extortion, murder, espionage, burglry, jury tampering, witness intimidation, and other felonies.

If Hubbard was a "messiah," then so was Jim Jones (People's Temple) and "David Koresh" (Branch Davidians).

I highly recomend this book.

247 of 275 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CLEAR? YEP, NOW THAT I READ THIS BOOK., January 21, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (California (socal)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: L. Ron Hubbard: Messiah or Madman (Paperback)

How I got started in Scientology and how Bent Corydon's book saved my sanity: I was once very troubled with things in my life: job, wife, friends, bills, lost hopes, bad childhood memories, alcoholic abusive father, etc... I looked everywhere to find some sort of relief from the pressure building from the millions of thoughts that can go through your head when you've lost perspective over many years. I went to counselors, psychiatrists, priests. None were effective in helping me find peace of mind. I simply wanted to find a way to stop irrational anxiety attacks, feelings of inadequacy, low self esteem, and self-destructive tendencies. Then I read "Dianetics" and was sold on how the stuff really made sense. I also read "Scientology-A new slant..." and "Fundamentals of thought" I thought, Wow! this "Tech" is amazing, I can rid myself of unwanted "engrams" and live a fuller, happier life? Well, sign me up. And so off I went to the closest "Org" and started "book one" auditing. It was only $400.00 for every twelve hours of auditing, no biggy, less than I'd pay a shrink, and I was feeling better. Oh, but wait, you're out of communication with your father, your ARC triangle is all "out." -Better enroll in a "Comm" course ($400.00). Oh! the comm course uncovered some overts and with-holds on dad? Time to see the ethics officer, yep, you guessed it, more course work required ($400.00) And we need to keep the auditting going, don't want those engrams getting away ($400.00), ($400.00)... The wife must be "aberrated" too -another set of course work/ auditing...($1200.00) Of course, I didn't object, I was a "pre-clear," I have a reactive mind, therefore my opinion doesn't matter, I'm not in my "valence" so I can't think clearly for myself. I need to keep shelling out the cash, so the "Org" will keep "Up-Stats" Bottom line: Once they've got the cash cow milking, the "course work" and "requirements" to move "up the bridge" keep multiplying, and your bank account disappears! This book reveals how "They" do it. How they take people at vulnerable times in their lives and start washing the last threads of assertiveness and self-determinism out of their heads and start replacing it with "Tech." -And once you've read this book, you'll see just how scarry that "Tech" can be. Please, if you are remotely interested in scientology or dianetics, read this book. It may just save your sanity, if not your life. I'm clear now, clear of a dangerous cult! Look closely if you are already involved. This book is instrumental in discovering all the ways this truly evil organization will intrusively invade and attempt to control your life! There are many people, as this book will prove, that have already succumbed to the "Tech." If you really need someone to talk to, the book will show you where to go in your area. I hope I've helped.

59 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every fact has been verified, February 4, 2005

By 

an ex-member (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: L. Ron Hubbard: Messiah or Madman (Paperback)

As a former Scientologist and staff member for five years, I can confidently state that, due to the Scientology propensity to sue all perceived attackers (indeed, it is their policy), EVERY word, EVERY sentence, EVERY fact in this book has been checked, double-checked, scrutinized in microscopic detail, and is absolutely true TO SCIENTOLOGY'S SATISFACTION. Anything and everything that can be disproved in a court of law will be viciously prosecuted by Scientologists as slander.

Scientology's lawyers have been through this book (and all others like it) with a fine-tooth comb, and cannot dispute a single detail. Their own vehemence for the "truth" convicts them by the very fact that this book is in print.

For the "one-star" reviewers - i.e. Scientologists - if you receive some benefits from this cult, great. Just realize WHAT you are dealing with. Don't believe everything they tell you, because as you probably know they lie for the "greater good." And the "greater good" can certainly include sucking little ol' you dry.

Bent Corydon is a hero and a brave man to go toe-to-toe with the enormous resources of the "Church" of Scientology.

He wins this fight with a knockout in the first round.