30 Years a Watchtower Slave: The Confessions of a Converted Jehovah's Witness [Abridged] [Paperback]

William J. Schnell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002

At first, the Watchtower Society seemed harmless to William J. Schnell, even valuable as a way to develop his faith in God and pass it on to others. This book is Schnell's fascinating account of his involvement with the cult, which effectively enticed him in the 1920s and continues to lure countless individuals today. Readers will learn, as Schnell did, that the Jehovah's Witness religion he had joined was anything but innocent. For thirty years he was enslaved by one of the most totalitarian religions of our day, and his story of finally becoming free is riveting.
Readers will be alerted to the inner machinations, methods, and doctrines of the Watchtower Society, arming them to forewarn others and witness to their Jehovah's Witness friends, relatives, neighbors, and the stranger at the door. With more than 300,000 copies sold, 30 Years a Watchtower Slave is truly one of the classic testimonies of freedom from a powerful cult.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

William J. Schnell was a young man eager to serve God. To him, the Watchtower Society appeared harmless, even valuable as a way to develop his faith and pass it on to others. Yet it soon became obvious that the Jehovah's Witness religion he had joined was anything but innocent.

30 Years a Watchtower Slave is Schnell's gripping account of the three decades he spent enslaved by Jehovah's Witness doctrines and methods. As you read his potent personal story, you will understand the true inner workings of the cult that enticed Schnell in the 1920s and continues to lure countless individuals today.

Through the details of Schnell's involvement with the Watchtower Society and the riveting story of how he finally became free, you will be forewarned to their effective proselytizing campaign and better outfitted to witness to JW friends, relatives, neighbors, coworkers--and the stranger at your door.

Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books; Abridged edition (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801063841
• ISBN-13: 978-0801063848
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #498,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Suberb insights into early Watchtower Society strategies, February 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: 30 Years a Watchtower Slave: The Confessions of a Converted Jehovah's Witness (Paperback)

A candid self-evaluation and evaluation of the Watchtower Society history from 1917 to 1952, written by a former Jehovah's Witness.

Schnell tells a fascinating story of a developing religion. He uncovers the Watchtower Society's sales methodologies developed in Europe and the USA. He also reveals the use of demonstrations and the court system in the US to benefit the Watchtower Society through the influence of public perceptions.

With Schnell's help, you can begin to understand how idealistic youths ended up as dedicated, underpaid promoters of a belief system which Schnell compares to totalitarianism.

I gave the book 4 stars, because I think it has its greatest value as a historical document which may give insight into the origins of the current Watchtower Society. It may be less relevant to the concerns of those who love the JW's of today. Still, a great read!

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MADE A LOT OF SENSE!, March 16, 2007

By 

Victory - See all my reviews

This review is from: 30 Years a Watchtower Slave: The Confessions of a Converted Jehovah's Witness (Paperback)

Perhaps to some who were never involved with the "Witnesses" much of what is written in this book will seem a bit far-fetched. But as one who was also in the "organization" for about 30 years I can say that this man's story made a lot of sense.

A number of books have been written about the Watchtower organization. I have not been very well impressed with most that I have read; I do not feel that they are very accurate. Although this book predates most of those others, with a few exceptions, I feel that most things covered in this book really "hit the nail on the head." Schnell goes into the history of the society after "Judge" Rutherford's hostile takeover (which is about the time Schnell became involved) and describes the Society's tactics in Germany during this time and in the U.S. immediately afterwards. The "modus operandus" that Schnell suggests fits everything I experienced and witnessed personally while in there.

My only exceptions would be to some disparaging suggestions directed towards Bible Students, prior to the "Jehovah's Witnesses". These seem a bit self-contradictory and I would not be surprised that they were added after the original publication, although I cannot confirm this.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great history and personal story, September 6, 2005

By 

Bennett Jamieson (Plainwell, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 30 Years a Watchtower Slave: The Confessions of a Converted Jehovah's Witness (Paperback)

This book gives a good background and history of the JW's and what is really behind their organization. The author jumps forward and then comes back from time to time but everything eventually fits togather. His style of English represents some one that grew up in another culture (ie. Germany) so it reads a bit different than comporary English. I'm 58 so readers younger than me might need to rewiew some general history if they need some reference points for the time period of WWI, the 20's, 30's, and 40's. Overall a good book; I'm hoping to get a younger person, that is contemplating joining the JW organization, to read it so she knows about what they really are!