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The Complex: An Insider Exposes the Covert World of the Church of Scientology [Paperback]

John Duignan , Nicola Tallant
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)


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Book Description

October 7, 2008
For the first time ever, a former high-ranking member of the Church of Scientology is lifting the lid on life inside the world s fastest growing cult. The Complex reveals the true story behind the religion that has ensnared a who s who list of celebrities such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta, and convinced thousands of ordinary people to join up.

Duignan describes how two years ago he staged a dramatic escape from the elite paramilitary group at the core of the Church, the Sea Organisation, and how he narrowly evaded pursuit by Scientologists from the Office of Special Affairs. He looks back on the 22 years he served in the Church s secret army and describes the hours of sleep deprivation, brain-washing and intense auditing or religious counselling he endured, as he was moulded into a soldier of Scientology. He talks about the money-making-machine at the heart of the Church, the Scientology goal to Clear the Planet and Get Ethics In , the training programmes, the Rehabilitation Project Force and the punishments meted out to anyone who transgresses, including children. We follow his journey through the Church and the painful investigation that leads to his eventual realisation that there is something very wrong at Scientology s core.

The beliefs of the Church of Scientology might sound like something from a science fiction book but The Complex reveals that the Church s growing power base is a shocking reality.



Product Details

  • Paperback: 318 pages
  • Publisher: Merlin Publishing; 1st Edition edition (October 7, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1903582849
  • ISBN-13: 978-1903582848
  • Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #872,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
(41)
4.7 out of 5 stars
This book was an excellent read and a must for any who are curious about Scientology. ana abeq  |  18 reviewers made a similar statement
His story is an accurate portrayal of the inner-workings of the Church of Scientology. Wild Bill  |  11 reviewers made a similar statement
I found this book both riveting and very sad. MT  |  7 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
134 of 140 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Can't stop the wave. November 14, 2008
By J. Z.
Format:Paperback
The above title refers to a phrase uttered in the movie "Serenity." It refers to the fact that the dictatorial government can't squelch information once it is out in the public domain.

Apparently scientology is trying to get this book shut down by claiming defamation, blah, blah, blah...business at usual. This review may be removed..if that's the case so be it. Since Amazon is too chicken to carry this book, my recommendation is to go to Eason books online and search for the author by name and order the book.

And to scientology....You can't stop the wave.
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80 of 83 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read November 21, 2008
Format:Paperback
Great book, well written. Thanks to Eason for carrying this book.
This is a must read for any Scientology critic or if you are considering joining Scientology.

Scientology crimes are being exposed!
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59 of 60 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate and captivating (must read) December 2, 2008
Format:Paperback
This personal account of the author's involvement in the cult (Church of Scientology) is captivating and chilling. His story is an accurate portrayal of the inner-workings of the Church of Scientology.

Many ex-scientologists have had the courage to speak out and all of the stories were filled with tragedies and bone chilling personal accounts. This true story of John Duignan and his escape from the cult is sure to have you sitting on the edge of your seat.

This book "hit home" for me because the way the author got sucked into the cult is exactly the way it happened to me as well. I was one of the lucky ones. I got out of the cult early on. I did not suffer like so many other scientologists do, though I did get harassed by the cult.

People sometimes ask me, "Why do famous actors stay in Scientology if it is so horrible?" I have an answer for that. It is because actors are high profile, rich, and they are a public relations boon for the Church of Scientology. Actors do not have trouble paying for scientology courses and the cult wants to keep them as happy as possible to avoid a PR disaster should the high profile actor speak out publicly against the cult. Furthermore, being a member of the Church of Scientology has become a Hollywood "fad." One actor (Jason Beghe) has quit the cult and is now speaking out. You can see the video at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNUjMz9-W2I
(copy and paste the URL in your browser)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read
I purchased this book recently direct from John 's own site in Ireland : [...]
The purchase price included worldwide delivery. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Pauline
5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping read
This book is a remarkable insight into the murky world of Scientology. It's quite a page-turner, particularly towards the end, when John realises that Scientology is not what he... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Colm
1.0 out of 5 stars Better books out there
This book was disappointing. It started out exciting but the author did not reveal any "inner workings" in Scientology you wouldn't know of if you Googled. Read more
Published 23 months ago by MFAnalystPro
5.0 out of 5 stars Reads Like a Novel
After reading the book My Billion Year Contract: Memoir of a Former Scientologist, I decided to write a review for it using `The Complex' as a point of comparison. Read more
Published on March 30, 2010 by Daniel
5.0 out of 5 stars Exposes the slimy underbelly of Scientology
This book does a great job describing the day to day life inside Scientology. There are so many people out now telling these stories that we have to start paying attention. Read more
Published on March 21, 2010 by Regan Haines
5.0 out of 5 stars The Covert World of Scientology
The Complex was published in 2009 in Ireland. This book is probably one of the most recent explosive exposes revolving around the cult of Scientology and the dangers of being a... Read more
Published on September 7, 2009 by Diane J. Trautweiler
5.0 out of 5 stars Scientology is a Scam and Fraud
I was a member of the church for 23+ years, sadly. What this book talks about is fact. Only devout Scns will speak against it...and that is what is so sad. Read more
Published on September 4, 2009 by Ron the Con
5.0 out of 5 stars could not put it down
Fascinating reading. So very important for everyone to read.
There's enough brainwashing going on in the world, we don't more of it. Read more
Published on June 6, 2009 by Carolee
1.0 out of 5 stars Rubbish
John Duignan is nothing more than a disgruntled ex-member of the Church. Scientology is a wonderful religion which offers people the way to truth and happiness. Read more
Published on May 1, 2009 by Elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars When will people listen
When will people listen to those whose experience tells it all. Scientology claims that only a few unhappy people react against it. Read more
Published on April 24, 2009 by cautious
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Topic From this Discussion
Did Amazon pull this in the US too?
I ordered the book, and then got an email from Amazon saying that my order was canceled because they could no longer get the book. Interesting, because I was able to go online and order directly from the publisher of the Irish version in about five minutes (spending an extra $10 or so in the... Read more
Nov 30, 2008 by Festivus |  See all 11 posts
Anyone else find this hilarious?
Hilarious? I find it singularly sickening that he's playing an anti-Nazi, while extolling the wonders of an organization that once "in", one must risk ones life to ESCAPE from. Or risk ones life to remain. Either way the flock is f*cked. But hey, he's got the celebrity center, he's... Read more
Dec 18, 2008 by puck |  See all 3 posts
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