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Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion Paperback – August 6, 2013

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 863 ratings

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Based on five years of research, access to confidential documents, and extensive interviews with current and former Scientologists, Janet Reitman sheds some long-awaited light on the ever-elusive religion of the Church of Scientology.

Scientology, created in 1954 by pulp science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, claims to be the world’s fastest growing religion, with millions of members and huge financial holdings. Celebrity believers keep its profile high. Teams of volunteer ministers offer aid at disaster sites like Haiti and the World Trade Center.

But Scientology is also a very closed faith, harassing journalists and others through litigation and intimidation, even infiltrating high levels of the government to further its goals. Its attacks on psychiatry and its requirement that believers pay as much as tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars for salvation have drawn scrutiny and skepticism. Ex-members use the internet to share stories of harassment and abuse.

Reitman offers the first full journalistic history of the Church of Scientology in an even-handed account that establishes the truth about the controversial religion. She traces Scientology’s development from the birth of Dianetics to today, following its metamorphosis from a pseudoscientific self-help group to a global spiritual corporation with profound control over its followers and ex-followers. This is a defining book about a little-known world.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

A New York Times Notable Book "[A] meticulously compiled exposé, culled from hundreds of interviews with active Scientologists and defectors alike. [Reitman's] revelations — including abuse allegations against church leader David Miscavige and details about the organization's aggressive courtship of Tom Cruise — come with impressive backup." - Entertainment Weekly "A serious, painstaking investigation of the organization's unique structure and bare-knucled business acumen." - GQ "In a new book, Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secret Religion, author Janet Reitman tell the fascinating history of the mysterious organization and its members." - Time.com "The most complete picture of Scientology so far." –Garry Wills, New York Times Book Review "Reitman's book delivers all it promises, and it promises a lot… [Reitman] has put together the most masterfully written, narratively rewarding, and thorough yarn about L. Ron Hubbard, David Miscavige, and Scientology and its strange past, present, and possible future….In Inside Scientology, we have a thorough, brave journalist backed by a major publisher, and soon what no doubt will be a major publicity push: Reitman's book should soon become Scientology's biggest headache in years." - Village Voice "This book is fearless" - Wall Street Journal "[A] meaty, engaging new book" -Slate.com "[A] meticulously researched history and revealing exposé, a frightening portrait of a religion that many find not just controversial, but dangerous…Throughout the book, the author displays consummate journalistic skills. Her accumulation of evidence is particularly impressive and gives rise to one of the more memorable works of investigative nonfiction in recent years."- Boston Globe "A well-researched and compelling read" - Los Angeles Times "[A] richly narrative history of the organization… The book is convincing and compelling. It will be interesting to see how the Scientology leadership responds." - St Louis Post Dispatch "So most journalistic accounts of Scientology fall into two categories: ax-grinding expose or fawning apologism. Fortunately Janet Reitman finds a third way in her authoritative, absorbing "Inside Scientology": nuanced reporting that lets the facts speak for themselves..."Inside Scientology" will remain a thoughtful, fair-minded record of its tumultuous first generation." - San Francisco Chronicle "Inside Scientology is a masterful piece of reporting....a compelling introduction to "America’s most secretive religion," as the subtitle has it. Even for those who have no interest in parsing when cults become religions or why faith upends fact, Reitman tells a spellbinding story of a larger-than-life personality whose quirks, ticks and charisma shaped America’s newest homegrown religious movement." - Washington Post "INSIDE SCIENTOLOGY is notable for its depth and sweep. Reitman's research pays off not only in rich portrayals of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and current leader David Miscavige, but in intimate portraits of people who have been swept up along the way….Reitman's analysis of Scientology's ability to survive scandal and mockery is compelling and persuasive." - Seattle Times "The inside scoop on Scientology, the steeped-in-secrecy religion of L. Ron Hubbard." - Minneapolis Star Tribune "Inside Scientology leaves no scandal unturned in the life of L. Ron Hubbard, underlings, celebrities and cult "slaves" in this story of America's most secretive religion....It is a riveting read not only for its thorough research, and winning style, but because [Reitman] has left no greed undescribed in the 396 page-turner." - Seattle Post Intelligencer "Inside Scientology" by Janet Reitman is an amazing book...a masterful telling of the church’s history and the division among its members" - Asbury —

From the Inside Flap

Scientology is known for its celebrity believers and its team of "volunteer ministers" at disaster sites such as the World Trade Center; its notably aggressive response to criticism or its attacks on psychiatry; its requirement that believers pay as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars to reach the highest levels of salvation. But for all its notoriety, Scientology has remained America's least understood new religion, even as it has been one of its most successful.
Now Janet Reitman tells its riveting full story in the first objective modern history of Scientology, at last revealing the astonishing truth about life within the controversial religion for its members and ex-members. We watch the singular L. Ron Hubbard transform a self-help group into a worldwide spiritual corporation, at one point running the church from his personal fleet on the high seas before establishing its base in sleepy Clearwater, Florida. As he became increasingly paranoid and reclusive a young acolyte named David Miscavige assumed control; after Hubbard's death in 1986 he quickly purged the ranks and began to transform the church once again. Miscavige has overseen some of the church's greatest triumphs--among them a controversial billion-dollar IRS tax exemption and Tom Cruise's emergence as a vocal advocate--but he also has created a climate of fear and intimidation, according to ex-members whose stories of abuse Reitman shares. Reitman is the first to examine his twenty-five year reign and what it might mean for the future of the church.
Based on five years of research, confidential documents, and extensive interviews with current and former Scientologists, this is an utterly compelling work of nonfiction and the defining work on an elusive faith.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperOne; Reprint edition (August 6, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0547750358
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0547750354
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 1.18 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 863 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
863 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book informative, exhaustively researched, and authoritative. They describe it as a fascinating, compelling narrative. Readers praise the writing quality as well-written, accessible, and masterful. They also mention the tone is balanced. However, some find the pacing repetitive and confusing at times. Opinions are mixed on the bias, with some finding it unbiased and provocative, while others say it's dogmatic.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

114 customers mention "Information quality"114 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative, comprehensive, and well-researched. They say it serves as a great history of Scientology and covers pretty much every subject you can think of regarding Hubbard. Readers also appreciate the excellent journalism.

"...Janet Reitman has written an engaging, witty, and informative book that will leave even those who have read other writings shaking their heads in..." Read more

"...important thing I came away with after reading it was that this well researched and written book is an must read for anyone wanting to know why..." Read more

"...25. So many interesting stories, so much insight...26. The element of fear as a tool.27. Even the notes section is interesting.28...." Read more

"...The story of Scientology is fascinating; I'm amazed that such a vast number of people have fallen for such a bizarre scheme, A charismatic man..." Read more

108 customers mention "Readability"105 positive3 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, compelling, and engaging. They say it's to the point and factual. Readers also appreciate the personal and historical accounts.

"...Janet Reitman has written an engaging, witty, and informative book that will leave even those who have read other writings shaking their heads in..." Read more

"...intimately aware of the cult as I am, the book provides riviting accounts of members recollections aided by well researched information on the..." Read more

"...25. So many interesting stories, so much insight...26. The element of fear as a tool.27. Even the notes section is interesting.28...." Read more

"...this book,not because I have to read it, but because the tale is just interesting enough to keep me plodding...." Read more

65 customers mention "Writing quality"61 positive4 negative

Customers find the book well-written, engaging, and accessible. They say it's a vital piece of well-written information that should be read by millions. Readers also mention the masterful prose is propelling the fascinating read.

"...Janet Reitman has written an engaging, witty, and informative book that will leave even those who have read other writings shaking their heads in..." Read more

"...Shje explains scientologese and did it in a very easy to digest style. The research is excellent, as well. The book flows and is an enjoyable read...." Read more

"...insightful look at a most interesting history written in an engaging accessible prose.3. The pages turned themselves. I was captivated.4...." Read more

"...It's an incredible story and one that is told well...." Read more

10 customers mention "Balance"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written, insightful, and informative. They also appreciate the balanced tone.

"Reitman has produced a very well researched investigation which is balanced and quite factual...." Read more

"A must read. Balanced, well-researched, and well-written...." Read more

"...about scientology, but this is one is better researched and more balanced than most." Read more

"...makes about Scientology presenting material in a straightforward, balanced way...." Read more

11 customers mention "Bias"6 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's bias. Some mention it's unbiased and provocative without imposing its own views. Others say the view is too dogmatic and defies any kind of sense or logic.

"...: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion is objective, nonbiased and well written...." Read more

"...However, no actual religion is practiced and God has nothing to do with their activities. It is all an elaborate mind game...." Read more

"...Well written, readable, exhaustively researched, authoritative without being accusatory...." Read more

"...The Scientologist view is too dogmatic, and too many outsiders are bound and determined to tear down Scientology." Read more

9 customers mention "Scariness level"6 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the scariness level of the book. Some mention it's terrifying, troubling, and strange. Others say it's alarming and paranoid.

"...kept the reader interested (almost like a good thriller) and just plain terrifying..... or is that my failure to get past the little billion year-..." Read more

"...Overall, it was fascinating to read about Scientology, albeit overall alarming...." Read more

"...It is also very troubling, made me try to empathize with these folks, and be very c concerned about their wellbeing...." Read more

"...Wow!! Very interesting and so very strange. Great book." Read more

15 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive15 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book repetitive and confusing. They also say it's long and detailed, and hard to keep up with.

"...many participants in the movement's progression, the story becomes bogged down with details that keep the reader scrambling to keep track of who's..." Read more

"...of Scientology's structure and terminology, which at points got quite repetitive...." Read more

"...presents them, but there are so many of them that they become confusing a few chapters later. A glossary of terms and acronyms would have helped...." Read more

"...I felt the book started with a boring intro...but then again, I have read several books about the subject, plus hours and hours on the internet and..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2014
About two years ago I became fascinated with the stories of defectors from North Korea. One day, while perusing Amazon's "Things You May Enjoy" section, a book popped up about Scientology. Intrigued that a search for the harrowing tales of North Korean defectors would be associated with a "religion", I decided to give it a go. What followed is an ongoing fascination with the world of Scientology and its machinations; "Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion" by Janet Reitman soon appeared on my radar, and here is my review.

Writing Style & Purpose

"Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion" (henceforth abbreviated as "IS") is a book written from the perspective of an outsider looking in. Janet Reitman, the author, is a journalist for Rolling Stone magazine. Her skill in writing is very evident in the text of "IS"; she makes it clear that she is approaching her research as a neutral party in an attempt to dissect the methodology, history, and stories from defectors in a balanced way. I can say that she has kept to this creed; while she does occasionally add a bit of personal analysis, for the most part she maintains her impartiality and recites her research faithful to her claim of neutrality.

Thus the purpose of "IS" is an investigation into the history, dogma, and actions of the Church of Scientology. Ms. Reitman reviews a lot of documentation, interviews, and church literature to paint a portrait of the creation, evolution, and current practices of Scientology, written in an engaging style with ample citations to validate every fact presented. From the moment that I picked it up, I had a hard time putting it down until I finished it.

Okay, But What Is It About?

"IS" has the tone of being a research paper that ultimately became a book. Ms. Reitman has compiled a huge amount of information and distilled it into a logical timetable of the creation of the Church of Scientology. She first focuses on the rise of the church, explaining how it came to be. From there the book flows smoothly into the early years of the church, dotted with anecdotes from followers who were there at the naissance of the Dianetics movement and the evolution into what ultimately became "Scientology".

In each chapter, the writer focuses on a specific period of time in the life of Scientology and documents the history of the church very effectively. It should be noted, however, that each topic is approached from multiple angles; unlike "Bare-faced Messiah", while L Ron Hubbard is analyzed but only insofar as his actions shaped his religion. Yes, she does document and compare aspects of his "official" biography with the facts as obtained through public records and defectors, but the life and times of Mr. Hubbard are more tangential to the story and acts as a supplement to the research.

By the end of the book you will be able to arrive at your own conclusion about what Scientology is, how it came to be, and whether they are more of a cult than a true religion. This book is one of my favorite sources of information about the church, second only to "Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief" by Lawrence Wright. Janet Reitman has written an engaging, witty, and informative book that will leave even those who have read other writings shaking their heads in amazement at the facts and stories she relates.

So, Do I Buy It?

If you are fascinated by Scientology and want to learn more about how it operates, the history, and the stories from both current and former members, "Inside Scientology" is a must-have for your bookshelf. I consider myself fairly well-read in regard to Scientology, and I found myself learning new facts and reading about anecdotes that I never heard before. The church cooperated with Ms. Reitman and gave her unprecedented access to many of their materials, and the result is a book that both fascinates and disgusts the reader.

In the end, if you are interested in the machinations of Scientology, this book is worth the cost. You will not be disappointed; in fact, you will be in shock from all of the new information that this book has. Consequently, I give "Inside Scientology" five stars, and I think that you will, too.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2011
Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion is objective, nonbiased and well written. It will raise the blood pressure of the management of Scientology, as well as the hairs on the arms of those unfamiliar with what goes on inside.

I heartedly whipped through this informative book and I highly recommend for general readers,as well as current and former members.

The most important thing I came away with after reading it was that this well researched and written book is an must read for anyone wanting to know why Scientology is so controversial.

The subject and history of Scientology and it's leaders current and past, is such that it would fill volumes. So, I think Janet Reitman accomplished, in good part, what she set out to do with this book:

"It has been my goal to write the first objective modern history of the Church of Scientology," Reitman proclaims in her introduction. "It is the goal of Inside Scientology to translate [L. Ron Hubbard's arcane] language and separate myth from fact."

What to include must have been a real dilemma. As a former member, I just wish there had been more. But for the outsider wanting to know the inside story of the secretive religion called Scientology, they will come away very informed and quite surprised. It does not provide all that there is to know but she provides the essential information and gives the reader enough so that they will have an historical understanding. She compliments earlier works and provides such that one will want to read up on previous works if they have not read them already.

She really did her homework. Hence the large Notes Section and 'Selected Bibliography at the end of the book. Additionally, the internet played a large part in the history of Scientology and she provides information on where to find information, as well.

Reitman does a very good job on the things she covers and for those not intimately aware of the cult as I am, the book provides riviting accounts of members recollections aided by well researched information on the organization, it's policies, procedures and culture. She does this in the most unbiased manner and backs up her work with meticulous researched references.

I was glad to see that she included interviews and information which I either did not expect to be in it, or never knew about before. I was also dismayed that certain events and names were not mentioned but, as I said, it would take volumns. She did her best to fit in what she could without overwhelming the reader. Shje explains scientologese and did it in a very easy to digest style. The research is excellent, as well. The book flows and is an enjoyable read. All that says a lot about this book and the author.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Guido
5.0 out of 5 stars Very serious and profound journalistic work
Reviewed in Italy on September 2, 2022
I was looking for something serious, scrupulous about Scientology, so when I came across this book, I thought that if the writer was a journalist for the Washington post, it could be a warranty. And I wasn't wrong. Very interesting, clear, and without prejudices.
TerriW
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read
Reviewed in Canada on November 21, 2019
Such a phenomenal story with unbiased insights into the lives of people who got caught up in Scientology. It never ceases to floor me to see what human beings are capable of when they are under the influence of religious dogma.
Harley quinn
5.0 out of 5 stars Her story covers what it was like to be a member of this religion from the ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2018
If you are interested in the inside story about Scientology Janet Reitman`s book is definitely one to read, its well written and keeps you interested all the way through. Her story covers what it was like to be a member of this religion from the celebrity experience to the horrible working conditions of the sea org members, I highly recommend this book.
Stegi
5.0 out of 5 stars Super Buch!
Reviewed in Germany on March 20, 2013
Hab das Buch für ne Facharbeit gebraucht, ist sehr gut verständlich und lesbar (besser als so manch deutsches Buch) :)
Erin Cutt
4.0 out of 5 stars An Eye Opening Look at Scientology
Reviewed in Canada on February 28, 2017
Once you get passed Xenu and the Thetans, there are still just so many things about this "religion" that absolutely boggle the mind. The cost, the suspicions, the abuse, the general disregard of family. With the availability of information in this day and age, I can't believe this organization will thrive for much longer. This book contains information from several disconnected top officials about the inner workings of Scientology, from the 1950s right up to the publication.