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My Billion Year Contract: Memoir of a Former Scientologist Paperback – October 26, 2009

by Nancy Many (Author), Chris Many (Editor), Jefferson Hawkins (Illustrator)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 164 ratings
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To a young, teenage girl, Scientology seemed to be just what the author was looking for; a way to improve herself and attain spiritual enlightenment. But it was only after she joined Scientology s elite inner circle, the Sea Organization, and signed a Billion Year contract that she discovered the dark world of fanaticism and abuse at the center of Scientology s vast empire. For more than two decades she worked at all levels of the organization, from serving as a personal aide to the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard, who placed her in charge of the religion s worldwide expansion to becoming the head of Celebrity Center, the organization that caters to it s celebrity members. Early in her Scientology career, she spent five years as a covert agent engaged in espionage activities for the Church s shadowy Guardian s Office. After leaving the Sea Org she spent an additional two years as an undercover operative for the reformed Guardian s Office, the Office of Special Affairs, which con
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  1. Print length
    360 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    CNM Publishing
  4. Publication date
    October 26, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    5.51 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0578039222
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0578039220
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
164 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book interesting, amazing, and fair. They also describe the writing quality as detailed, well-written, and not too textual. Readers mention the content is enlightening and riveting.

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ReadabilityWriting qualityEnlightened contentPacing
20 customers mention "Readability"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting, amazing, and enlightening. They say it's a page-turner that keeps them interested. Readers also mention the psychology is fascinating.

"Overall this is an interesting book and I certainly don't regret reading it, although I am not likely to read it a second time as I did with [..." Read more

"...Her book is very fair I feel for those who still hold on to what they believe is good in Scn. That is big of her...." Read more

"...Although the book is an excellent read and a horrific look at humans being held hostage and treated worse than prisoners, the saddest part is that..." Read more

"I enjoyed reading this book immensely. It was a page turner, constantly leaving the reader wondering a)..." Read more

20 customers mention "Writing quality"15 positive5 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book very detailed, well-written, and readable. They say the author is able to clearly articulate in a way that could challenge readers. Readers also mention the personal narrative is gripping and authentic.

"...This memoir is one of the most enlightening and riveting I've ever read." Read more

"...a fairly big font and the chapters are generally quite short, so it's easy and pleasant to read...." Read more

"...fake church. The author is a very good writer, able to clearly articulate, in a way that could challenge the best of us, a whole spectrum of..." Read more

"...Reminded me of Jim Jones. Not a fun read, but an interesting one." Read more

16 customers mention "Enlightened content"13 positive3 negative

Customers find the content enlightening, interesting, and amazing. They describe the book as shocking, touching, and redemptive. Readers also mention it's informative about the Scientology Church.

"...This memoir is one of the most enlightening and riveting I've ever read." Read more

"...from Ron L Hubbard, through to David Miscavige and her personal memories were so believable and balanced...." Read more

"...that one often finds in the publishing industry, Nancy Many's story is credible, and it rings true from the first page to the last...." Read more

"...The book is shocking and exposes what really goes on behind the closed doors of the Church of Scientology...." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book rambling, boring, and repetitive. They also mention that some bits seem random.

"...The book is formatted oddly. Some bits of the book seem random, and somewhere in the middle the book seems to end and it just becomes a bunch of..." Read more

"...The last half of the book is very cumbersome. It references court cases and various other individuals who were mentally devastated by scientology...." Read more

"This book started off ok but became boring with too much repetative detail. It criticises Scientology...." Read more

"This book was a rambling mess and Nancy was very annoying and unsympathetic." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

L. Jameson
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and Informative!
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2010
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I have never been compelled to share my opinion about a book before now. This book exposes Scientology for what it really is - a business (NOT a church) that is all about money and mind control. It's about smoke and mirrors, deep-cover spying on anyone who is critical of Scientology. Innocent victims are sucked into their group with manipulative and deceptive practices. People are pushed to their limits financially, emotionally and physically. Along the way, many people have lost their minds AND their lives.

Members are forbidden to have contact with others who have been identified by Scientology as "suppressives" - people who are thought to be working against the common good. This can even include immediate family members. Ex-members fear the consequences of speaking out about any trauma they've endured. Not many people have the resources to go up against this organization. Furthermore, as the author describes, the retribution alone has been devastating to many. Scientology has the resources to sabatoge someone's reputation and/or career. When someone has been traumatized to the point of a psychotic break, they are forbidden to seek traditional psychiatric help (Tom Cruise has certainly adopted this belief) and instead are instructed to take mega doses of vitamins and supplements. If this doesn't help, the people are basically ostracized and receive no further help from Scientology.

I was absolutely fascinated with this memoir. This is one brave woman to endure what she did, come out on the other side and continue to provide help for those who have suffered her same fate. I'm not sure I could be as forgiving as she appears to be but I certainly admire her. In fact, I'm surprised this book was even published, knowing the possible repercussions. Scientology has always been a mysterious organization to me. This memoir is one of the most enlightening and riveting I've ever read.
43 people found this helpful
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Daniel
4.0 out of 5 stars Psychological Damage
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2010
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Overall this is an interesting book and I certainly don't regret reading it, although I am not likely to read it a second time as I did with The Complex: An Insider Exposes the Covert World of the Church of Scientology. Whereas `The Complex' really has the flow of a novel, `Billion' feels much more like a personal account. As for the `physical' characteristics of the book, it uses a fairly big font and the chapters are generally quite short, so it's easy and pleasant to read.

The story in `My Billion Year Contract' revolves around the fact that the author's mind basically `cracked' under the auditing process done by Scientology. She tries to convey to the reader how that might feel. Not an easy task to say the least and I personally think she does a pretty good job of it. She also describes in detail what happens to people sent to the RPF (Rehabilitation Project Force) as she personally went through the process. `The Complex' mentions the RPF but does not describe it in detail as the author was able to avoid it. For those not familiar with the term, the RPF is a sort of Scientology `labor camp' for people deemed unsatisfactory. The brutal conditions are described making you wonder how something like that can legally take place in a country like America.

One aspect of the book I did not like as much is the abundant inclusion of writings that come directly from the author's diary (journal) written at the time the events took place. This starts at about mid-point in the book. One could definitely say that the inclusion of such writings makes the account that much more personal and can help the reader understand her frame of mind and the extent of the `damage' done from the auditing. But for me, the writing style in the journal just did not grab me. I'm not faulting the book for this, it just wasn't my cup of tea if you will, but I could see how some people would consider the inclusion of such writings as a plus. You be the judge. Simply be warned that some chapters (20, 30 and 31 for example) are nearly all from her diary.

Another minor criticism would be the need for a bit more editing should a revised edition ever come out. To conclude, I feel that `My Billion Year Contract' and `The Complex' actually compliment each other as they don't overlap so much. I definitely recommend both books to anyone interested in Scientology (at least its darker side).
17 people found this helpful
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Rachel
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely mandatory reading ! Lucid and Gripping!
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2013
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As others have said, this is a gripping and lucid personal narrative, written with absolute authenticity. I have read enough about this cult to
observe the similarities, as insiders and former insiders tell their stories, point to clear and true telling of the insidious practices of this
fake church. The author is a very good writer, able to clearly articulate, in a way that could challenge the best of us, a whole spectrum
of feelings, scenarios, and memoirs from her more than 25 year history among Scientologists, at both high and low levels of the little scientology universe.

The book is also one of the most amazingly even handed relevations of insider experience with a damaging cult- there is no axe to grind,
just a process-oriented story and personal history to relate.

The old time religions would often say that " satan comes in many tempting guises " - and yes, they may just be quite right when it comes
to the sum total of Scientology. For all the "potential" the author wishes to explore, hold on to, and even continue believing in, the goodness
just isn't there when it comes to Scientology itself, although it may be there among the original inner intentions of those innocent seekers
who so very quickly and ruthlessly are caught up it it's web. I think in the end she was coming to see it was such intentions to align with, and not the cult( and its machinations) itself.
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

shirley pare
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in Canada on May 22, 2015
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a book that takes you into the cult of scientology, a scary cult and definitely NOT a religion
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Nick Rabb
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 28, 2013
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An excellent expose of a most insidious organisation, great book, very moving and my heart goes out to those who have had similar experiences,40 years ago I was lucky to get out after 2 weeks, that was quite enough.
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Mike N
4.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2012
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I think most people know the reputation of the Scientologists, and I've read other literature around them before coming to this one, so I was familiar with some of the more "way out" beliefs that they promote.

This was still an eye-opener though!

It's a well written account of one person's experiences in the cult, and then trying to get out of it. And make no mistake, getting out is not easy. If this story wasn't true you'd almost think it was too improbable to base a book on, but you will come away hoping that your own family members never get involved in this destructive cult.

A fascinating read, for anybody with an interest in religious cults, and (presumably) for anybody with a relative in the Scientologists that is wondering why they no longer get to see their own family.
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Lucy
5.0 out of 5 stars My favourite book on Scientology experiences!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 20, 2017
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What this woman went through was pure hell. I've read many Scientology books, and her experience was the worst, closely followed by Blown for Good, which really exposes Miscavige for who he is and the abuses at Int Gold Base, Hemet. My next favourite book was Leah Remini's which is enlightening about Cruise and some celebrities. She didn't get the worst of it, but it was a good read!
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JMcG
3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite what I was expecting but certainly worth a read for a very personal story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book is an interesting insight into the techniques used to keep people in a situation which they can see is detrimental to their health but from which they have no desire to leave.

If you have read anything else about scientology you probably won't be too surprised by too much in this book. The control levels, the financial cost, the paranoia are all highlighted in this book bit what jumps out is the personal anguish of the author. You feel her confusion at her treatment, you know how confined she feels mentally and physically.

There is a good attempt made to be balance in the authors telling of her story but some of it still feels like a post fact justification rather than an expression of genuine appreciation for a lifestyle which ultimately led to a breakdown.

Worth the read to get a first person view of the day to day workings but don't expect any big revelations about the decisions made at the higher levels of this organisation. There are other, better sources if that is what you are looking for
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