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Commodore's Messenger: A Child Adrift in the Scientology Sea Organization Kindle Edition
Things spiral out of control as Hubbard leaves England and takes to the sea, to continue his research into higher spiritual states for mankind, as he puts it, or to escape the long arm of the law as many critics contend. Yvonne and her children soon find themselves enmeshed in Hubbard’s inner circle, Yvonne with Hubbard himself as one of his trusted aides, and the children with Hubbard’s own family. When Yvonne joins the newly established Sea Organization, to support Hubbard in his seafaring adventures, her children find themselves aboard what would become the flagship of Hubbard’s burgeoning navy.
Having children underfoot does not fit well with the serious nature of Hubbard’s plans to expand Scientology’s worldwide impact. So, he determines to make these children useful. He begins using them to send messages to various parts of the organization aboard the Apollo, hence the name Commodore’s Messenger.
With this as a background, know that the story Janis has written comes from the earliest days and the epicenter of Scientology’s Sea Organization. As a messenger, Janis was with Hubbard a minimum of 6 hours a day and often times much longer. She was privy to all his moods from sunny to thundering; as a messenger, she was intimately familiar with everything happening on board the ship as well as throughout the Scientology network.
But Janis was also her own person and as a teenager, she lived a life that few of her peers could ever hope to have lived. I found myself literally agog at some of the early experiences that Sea Org members somehow survived in the organization’s early years. Hubbard’s cavalier regard for the lives of others was astonishing, as Janis relates some of the storms encountered by Sea Org vessels ill-equipped to be piloted by those with so little seamanship training. It is a wonder no one was killed.
This is the first of three books.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateAugust 1, 2017
- File size11563 KB
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Product details
- ASIN : B0742Q7H2F
- Publisher : Outback Publishing; 1st edition (August 1, 2017)
- Publication date : August 1, 2017
- Language : English
- File size : 11563 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 486 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,267,917 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #396 in Occult Cults & Demonism
- #15,102 in Memoirs (Kindle Store)
- #18,393 in Biographies & Memoirs (Kindle Store)
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About the author

INTRODUCTION
BEFORE READING THIS BOOK, it is best you have an understanding of who I am.
My mother was Yvonne Gillham-Jentzsch, the founder of Celebrity Centre for the Church of Scientology. After my parents divorced, my mother married Heber Jentzsch, who is well known as the President of the Church of Scientology International.
My father is Peter F. Gillham (AKA Pete or Peter Snr.) who, in the 1970s, was known as one of the top lecturers on the subject of Scientology. In addition to his lectures Peter authored two successful books “Tell It Like It Is” and “The Fundamentals of Success” which thousands of people credited with helping them. He later became internationally known as a nutritionist with monthly newsletters giving nutritional advice and tips. In the 1980s he developed instant CalMag, leading him to develop Natural Calm by Natural Vitality in the 1990s, which he writes about in his book “The Miracle Nutrient.” Natural Calm remains a best-selling magnesium supplement and has helped thousands of people internationally improve their health.
In the mid-1960s ”the Gillhams” were regarded as Scientology’s first family in Australia. When Scientology was banned in the Australian state of Victoria, my parents moved the family to England. Shortly afterwards we moved to the Scientology ships. In later years, we were accepted as the second family of Scientology. Yvonne headed up Scientology’s Celebrity Centre and built it to more than two hundred staff, while Peter introduced people into Scientology through his books, lectures and as the Executive Director of the Scientology Phoenix mission. Meanwhile my sister Terri, my sister-in-law Doreen Smith-Gillham and I were all senior ranking Commodore’s Messengers working directly with L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology. My brother, Peter Jr., also worked directly with L. Ron Hubbard on the ship and on land.
As a child of 11, in January 1968, I arrived on the Scientology ship, the Royal Scotman where I became an original Commodore’s Messenger for L. Ron Hubbard. Over the next 11 years I spent six hours or more a day with L. Ron Hubbard, until December of 1979, when shortly after, Hubbard went into “hiding” with fellow Commodore’s Messengers, Annie and Pat Broeker. Hubbard passed away in January 1986.
Many who were there say I was raised by Hubbard. My husband jokes that I was raised by wolves (living in a pack), but I believe I was not raised at all, but grew into the world around me. Ha!
I lived on the Scientology ship, Apollo (previously named Royal Scotman) for eight years as a personal messenger for L. Ron Hubbard and then another three years by his side as he moved around the U.S. east coast to the west. As Commodore’s Messengers, we were direct representatives of Hubbard within the world of Scientology. After 22 years, I left in August 1990, no longer able to agree with the direction the Church of Scientology was taking. Along with my husband of 11 years, we disappeared into the night to raise a family outside of the world of Scientology.
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Customers find the book fascinating, interesting, and helpful to read. They also appreciate the insights into Scientology and the compelling narrative. Readers describe the narrative as captivating, incredible, and a real page-turner. They praise the writing style as well-written, detailed, and easy to understand. They appreciate the great photos and honesty.
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Customers find the book fascinating, interesting, and excellent. They say it's fresh, unbiased, and helpful to read. Readers also mention the book is truly original and impressive.
"...the human condition via personal consultation (aka auditing) is quite workable – up to a certain level, which is why many people concerned about the..." Read more
"...use of excellent photographs throughout make it a compelling and fascinating read...." Read more
"Good book...." Read more
"...It is fresh, unbiased and was as helpful for me to read as it was painful reliving many similar memories...." Read more
Customers find the book thought-provoking, fascinating, and a good read for Scientology history buffs. They say it holds a unique context and is an eye-opener.
"...LRH’s books contain quite valuable information for attaining one’s goals, and the study and management technologies are unsurpassed...." Read more
"...Scientology has it's own "foreign language" and this glossary is very helpful. I highly recommend this book to all my family and friends!" Read more
"As a former second generation member, this book holds a unique context with much of it being through the eyes of a child growing up in that world...." Read more
"Honestly, this is the BEST book on the interworkings of Scientology and insight into LRH, Ron, The Old Man, da Boss...I have red most of them...." Read more
Customers find the narrative quality fascinating, captivating, and amazing. They describe the book as a real page-turner with adventures. Readers mention the author does a good job relaying stories and histories in an unbiased fashion.
"...You won’t regret reading this book, as it is a fascinating story of daring and enterprise reminiscent of the days of swashbuckling adventurers..." Read more
"...come, this will be one of the basic textbooks on the subject, an incredible story, perhaps one of the greatest of all time, told by someone who..." Read more
"...Janis does a really good job relaying stories and histories in an unbiased fashion, as children in even the most odd circumstances, we often..." Read more
"...be a bit depressing yet exciting with its Honesty and amazing adventures on the high Seas with a Focused leader creating Scientology while on the..." Read more
Customers find the writing style well-written, detailed, and easy to read. They appreciate the language of Scientology and nautical language being explained as they read along. Readers also mention the author has an exceptional ability to tell her story through the eyes of the child she was at.
"...This is a terrific piece of writing on Janis’ part; I can’t wait for the next two volumes!" Read more
"...The language of scientology, and nautical language is easily and simply explained as one reads along...." Read more
"Janis has an exceptional ability to tell her story through the eyes of the child she was at that time...." Read more
"...this book resonated strongly as unflinchingly honest and compassionate storytelling." Read more
Customers find the photos in the book great, colorful, and clear. They also appreciate the maps and diagrams, which are great to reference while reading.
"...It’s a pleasantly large book and the use of excellent photographs throughout make it a compelling and fascinating read...." Read more
"...Almost no one was closer to him during those years. The book is full of fabulous photos of her and others on the Flag Ship Apollo as she tells her..." Read more
"...details of daily life on the ship are recounted methodically and are colorful!..." Read more
"...It is also a clear picture of L. Ron Hubbard and his use of Children and the breaking up of a loving family for his own benefit.MUST READ!!!" Read more
Customers find the book unflinchingly honest and compassionate. They say it's objective, authoritative, and unbiased. Readers also mention the author is open and honest about her good and bad experiences.
"...I am delighted that such an objective and authoritative account now exists to serve this valuable and important purpose...." Read more
"...It is fresh, unbiased and was as helpful for me to read as it was painful reliving many similar memories...." Read more
"...It can be a bit depressing yet exciting with its Honesty and amazing adventures on the high Seas with a Focused leader creating Scientology while..." Read more
"...Please buy and read this book. It gives a non-judgemental, truthful and sincere account of this woman's life at the time she spent working with..." Read more
Customers find the book boring and a waste of money.
"I am totally against Scientology but this book was boring. This huge book was about getting the first ships for L Ron Hubbard...." Read more
"...I thought it was a total waste of money!" Read more
"I so wanted to enjoy this book and had to force myself to complete it. Boring, repetitive and possibly deserves a ghost writer to cut all the..." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2018
Having spent some months in 1970 on the Flagship doing an executive course while the ship was shuttling between various Moroccan ports at regular intervals, and having been a Sea Org member myself for a number years, I know well the scenarios that Janis describes and can vouch for her precise description of personality types and ambiences. I’m quite familiar with the sort of events, such as lower conditions, she describes and/or have experienced them myself.
Based on firsthand accounts, Janis details pioneering tasks imposed by the Commodore, LRH, on inexperienced staff, such as suddenly being made captain and crew of a ship in charge of sailing it from the UK to the Canary Islands under the hallowed Sea Org motto of: “make things go right”.
Janis also describes dynamic times with missions of various types ordered by the Commodore to secure Sea Org objectives, as well as those sent to Scientology (aka Scn) organizations to keep their staff hopping to raise statistics.
Janis gives a vivid account of social and governmental reactions and persecutions involving herself and her family in Australia – the usual and ever-recurring ostracisms of many humans when confronted with new things and personalities they don’t understand. LRH, the Sea Org and Scientology have often been on the receiving end of such reactions and persecutions – whether deserved or not.
Reading “Commodore’s Messenger” you will be led into a world reminiscent of King Arthur’s knights, Star War themes and the Enterprise, Star Trek’s flagship, with current day “knights” and “Jedis” all in pursuit of bringing more sanity to humanity, raising people’s level of awareness so to speak – which one must admit is a noble goal, Earth being what is known as a level 0 planet, where people are still killing each other and undermining their environments.
You will see people challenged to perform way beyond what they imagine they are capable of doing – typical challenges imposed by the Commodore, and actually succeeding. LRH’s idea was that people have lived many times before and basically know how to do just about anything, since they have done it all before (probably true for some people). So that is the way the Commodore ran the Sea Org.
The technology, (aka the tech) LRH discovered for improving the human condition via personal consultation (aka auditing) is quite workable – up to a certain level, which is why many people concerned about the state of humanity who had been helped and found the technology useful joined the cause. LRH’s books contain quite valuable information for attaining one’s goals, and the study and management technologies are unsurpassed.
For most people these days it might be a good move to make use of this technology to improve their abilities, lose some hang-ups. It would be a valuable step for a person to enter into a more productive and conscious way of life, leaving behind such habits as taking drugs, toxic medicines and clicking their way into oblivion. Whether to do this at a current Scientology organization or mission or not, I don’t know. My opinion.
They were indeed exciting times both on the Flagship Apollo and elsewhere in the world, myself only having had experience in the US and Europe, mainly the latter, where I worked on expansion in a number of European countries for some years under the late charismatic Captain Bill Roberson, aka Capt. Bill.
The main period described by Janis in the book is the early seventies, although she begins at a time closer to the present when things had gone awry.
Alas, after the Flagship Apollo was abandoned for a Sea Org land base in Clearwater, Florida in 1976. LRH gradually lost control of his empire as he was having to hide to avoid prosecution by the US government, probably for tax evasion. During the following years up to his death in 1986 other individuals of a lesser stamp gradually encroached to assume control from the ailing LRH.
At the beginning of the book, Janis relates that as a result of the Sea Org and Scientology empire being taken over by some power-hungry individuals close to LRH, she wound up being incarcerated at a Sea Org desert facility near La Quinta, California. A kind of abrupt introduction to the collapse of the Arthurian idyll.
The pioneering phase of the Sea Org and Scientology had ended and the era of administrators, or bureaucrats, had begun. Of course, all the “knights” and “Jedis” had to be purged by the new usurpers of the empire.
Strong, independent and causative personnel of the pioneering type were unwelcome and undesirable for the bureaucratic scenario envisioned by these types. So, like myself, “knights” and “Jedis” either left in disgust at the oppressive control methods of the new regime, or they were declared as undesirables. A clean sweep in a matter of months. Where have you read of such affairs before in history books?
You will get an overall view of stirring events spanning over the time Janis and her family joined Scientology in Australia to when Janis wound up being locked up by Sea Org personnel at a ranch in California.
You won’t regret reading this book, as it is a fascinating story of daring and enterprise reminiscent of the days of swashbuckling adventurers confronting impossible odds and fighting for a noble cause. The stuff legends are made of.
I can hardly wait to start reading Janis’ next book: “Commodore’s Messenger, Book 2”.
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2017
Janis makes the point right at the beginning that she herself is a product of Scientology – and the fact is that she is a brilliant product. Like her wonderful mother, Yvonne, before her – whose mantle she has undoubtedly inherited – she combines charisma with compassion. Her affectionate and generous eye brings those early Sea Org days alive, and everyone comes out of it well. I have to say that I have been impressed by the horrific voyages that some early SO members had to confront and endure. I am full of admiration for all those who braved those seas, and understand more than ever why those who sailed on the ship(s) have such a strong bond of shared camaraderie – seemingly spiced with plenty of alcohol and sex!
As future generations continue to evaluate Dianetics and Scientology, this book and its successors will give the best first-hand account of the character and behaviour of the man at the centre of all the controversy. I am delighted that such an objective and authoritative account now exists to serve this valuable and important purpose. I’m confident that the early origins of the Sea Org will continue to fascinate future historians. This is a terrific piece of writing on Janis’ part; I can’t wait for the next two volumes!
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2017
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2017
Top reviews from other countries
3.0 out of 5 stars Not so deep about Hubbard.
Reviewed in Mexico on November 5, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic !
Reviewed in Canada on January 8, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Wie L. Ron Hubbard wirklich war
Reviewed in Germany on March 30, 2020
Das ist sicher alles richtig. Aber nach dem Studium der beiden Bücher von Janis Grady, ist es vermutlich an der Zeit, vor allem diesen Mythos, diese glorifizierte Ansicht zu revidieren, dass Ron Hubbard im Grunde "ein guter Mensch" war. Was er gemäß Janis, und daran gibt es für mich überhaupt keinen Zweifel, offenbar über Jahre in der Sea Org getrieben hat, ist selbst von den wohlwollendsten Adepten nicht tolerierbar, und erinnert schlicht und ergreifend an die Konzentrationslager, Gulags und Guantanamos dieser Welt. Zustände, von denen Ron immer vorgab, die Welt befreien zu wollen.
Das Irrwitzige an der Sache ist: Seine unzähligen Bücher und Publikationen helfen einem durchaus, das eigene Leben besser zu verstehen und zu sortieren. Seine Gedanken spenden Trost, geben Hoffnung, ja holen einen manchmal sogar aus tiefsten Depressionen direkt ans Sonnenlicht. Sein Auditing ist, wenn es richtig gemacht wird, ein wunderbar einfaches, aber funktionierendes Tool, um Leuten zu helfen, sich von unerwünschten Blokaden zu lösen, und die Veränderung ihrer Zustände selbst in die Hand zu nehmen, wenn sie dies wollen.
Umso erschütternder ist es zu erfahren, was für ein Teufel er offenbar in der Sea Org war, und wie wenig er an sich selbst seine Auditingtechniken anwendete oder anwenden ließ. Statt dessen überzog er seine loyalsten Leute mit fürchterlichstem Schrecken, Terror und Erniedrigung. Das macht sein ganzes Werk zunichte.
Ich kann immer noch nicht glauben, dass er "nur" schlechte Absichten hatte, vor allem in den 50er und frühen 60er Jahren. Zu groß war damals die Begeisterung von vielen Tausenden, überwiegend gut ausgebildeter, fähiger Menschen, die ihm folgten. Aber spätestens an Bord der Apollo wäre es dringend notwendig gewesen, das jemand das "wild gewordene Kind Ron" einfängt und mit viel Affinität in seiner Umgebung orientiert, so dass es sich wieder beruhigen kann. Genauso, wie er es in seinen eigenen Büchern darlegte. Offenbar hat er aber alle Leute, die dies versuchten, eigenhändig hinausgeworfen. Auch darüber berichtet Janis ausführlich.
Mit diesen Büchern ist mir klar geworden, warum Scientology verschwinden wird. Ron selbst ist es gewesen, der seiner einstmals so hoffnungsvollen Bewegung das Grab geschaufelt hat.
Das ist sicherlich beruhigend für jene, die allgemein schon immer "gegen Scientology" waren, auch wenn sie eigentlich gar nicht viel drüber wissen.
Für diejenigen, die tatsächlich die Hoffnung hatten oder immer noch haben, mithilfe von Ron's Tech aus dieser Welt einen besseren Ort machen zu können, ist es nun noch schwerer geworden, aus dem Fundus, den er hinterlassen hat, tatsächlich etwas Nützliches zu machen. Denn eigentlich ist es nur noch ein Scherbenhaufen.
Dank Janis kamen für mich eine Menge Daten ans Licht, die mir bislang unbekannt waren. Ich werde sicher eine Weile brauchen, diese zu verarbeiten, und für mich die richtigen Schlüsse ziehen.
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic insight into L. Ron Hubbard world
Reviewed in Italy on August 21, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
Reviewed in Australia on February 7, 2024
It was hard to put down, and I couldn't wait to finish it so I could move onto volume two.
Very interesting stories and well told





