International Kindle Paperwhite
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Over 4 million titles. Learn more
Read for Free
OR

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.

Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

David S Wills
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' Kindle Edition

by David S. Wills (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
See all formats and editions
Scientology is largely overlooked in major texts about the life and work of William S. Burroughs, author of some of the most notorious literature of the 20th century. Its importance in the creation of the Cut-up Method and Burroughs’ view of language as a virus is undermined by the omission of details regarding his interest in the religion over the course of a decade – certainly the most creatively fertile period of his life. Instead, biographers and critics tend to focus on his other obsessions in the realm of fringe science, and on the period during the early 1970s when Burroughs left the religion and began a public crusade against it.

However, Burroughs’ involvement with L. Ron Hubbard’s organization was no fleeting interest; he was a fully-fledged member and even obtained the rank of ‘clear’ – a prestigious achievement for a Scientologist. Scientology ultimately inspired the plot, the structure, and various elements of some of Burroughs’ most important works, including The Soft Machine and The Wild Boys. His fascination was genuine, and his progress through the hierarchical structure of the Church signals a dedication that he would later downplay after being excommunicated in 1969.

Now, for the first time, his life and literature are reexamined in the light of newly uncovered information about Burroughs’ fascination with this ‘weird cult,’ as he once described it.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    226 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    March 12, 2013
  4. File size
    731 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
70 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book fascinating, engaging, and engrossing. They say it provides great insight and a sharper depth of understanding. Readers also mention the book is worth reading and well-written.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
InterestValue for moneyWriting quality
8 customers mention "Interest"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, insightful, and engaging. They say it provides a greater clarity and depth of understanding.

"...I couldn't put it down and read it straight out. Fascinating, vital, exciting stuff." Read more

"Interesting investigation into a subject that has mostly been overlooked, which is surprising given all of the biographical information we already..." Read more

"I found this book very interesting. this book gives us a look into the mind of William S. Burroughs and the world of Scientology...." Read more

"Interesting, well-written, engrossing. As a Burroughs fan for fifty years, this book is not a revelation; it is however fascinating." Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book is worth reading if you're into Burroughs.

"...interest whatsoever of Burroughs the man then you must read this wonderful book. I couldn't put it down and read it straight out...." Read more

"...There is new information here though, and the book is worth reading if you're into Burroughs." Read more

"Excellent book. Essential reading for anyone who wishes to claim a working understanding of one of America's greatest, if most controversial authors...." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book well-written and fascinating.

"...of Dianetics and Scientology core concepts on his creative writing process to be fascinating...." Read more

"Interesting, well-written, engrossing. As a Burroughs fan for fifty years, this book is not a revelation; it is however fascinating." Read more

"well written..." Read more

Read this or you are just a Burroughsian poseur.
5 out of 5 stars
Read this or you are just a Burroughsian poseur.
If you have any interest whatsoever of Burroughs the man then you must read this wonderful book. I couldn't put it down and read it straight out. Fascinating, vital, exciting stuff.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

CharlieM
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this or you are just a Burroughsian poseur.
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
If you have any interest whatsoever of Burroughs the man then you must read this wonderful book. I couldn't put it down and read it straight out. Fascinating, vital, exciting stuff.
Customer image
CharlieM
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this or you are just a Burroughsian poseur.
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2020
If you have any interest whatsoever of Burroughs the man then you must read this wonderful book. I couldn't put it down and read it straight out. Fascinating, vital, exciting stuff.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
Helpful
 Report
Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Something new for Burroughs readers
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2014
Verified Purchase
Interesting investigation into a subject that has mostly been overlooked, which is surprising given all of the biographical information we already have on Burroughs. This thoroughly researched book was far more interesting than what I had initially expected. Any Burroughs fan will find plenty of content here of interest, especially in the theories on WHY an independent free-thinking individual like Burroughs would be drawn to the ideals of scientology. But think about it - the surrendering of the self is something Burroughs knew alot about, given his life-long struggle with drug addiction. New insight is brought to the table here. Recommended.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
JS.
5.0 out of 5 stars If I know, u know.
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
No complaints.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Raymond D Browne
3.0 out of 5 stars which is a nice change of pace
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2015
Verified Purchase
The writer is no unconditional Burroughsian, which is a nice change of pace. His exhaustive account of the writer's relationship with Scientology becomes tedious about half way through. There is new information here though, and the book is worth reading if you're into Burroughs.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Vootee1
5.0 out of 5 stars A heroic story,...
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2014
Verified Purchase
I found David S. Willis' description of the effects of William Burroughs' use of Dianetics and Scientology core concepts on his creative writing process to be fascinating. We find Burroughs searching to unravel his own problems and to understand his own human mind using these techniques. Of particular interest is Burroughs' interest in the the Scientology E-Meter. I never knew that he studied Scientology seriously , even completing the famous Clearing Course. Burroughs' own appreciation of many Scientology tenets and techniques along with his frustrations with the rote Church of Scientology are well documented by the author. This book is full of well-researched Beat Generation and Scientology history that before I picked up this book, I was completely unaware.
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
johnjdorfner
4.0 out of 5 stars Burroughs and the weird cult
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
I found this book very interesting. this book gives us a look into the mind of William S. Burroughs and the world of Scientology. It hard to imagine Burroughs discovering and using his cut-up method of writing without the courses of Scientology that he took for years. he would dismiss Scientology in the end but it was a very important part of his becoming the writer he became. for the Burroughs scholar, I think you will get a lot out of this read.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars IF YOU ARE A FAN, THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
Interesting, well-written, engrossing. As a Burroughs fan for fifty years, this book is not a revelation; it is however fascinating.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
John Champion
5.0 out of 5 stars Very useful.
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2015
Verified Purchase
A surprisingly revealing perspective from which to consider Burroughs work. Very useful.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Harriet Fairclough
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
As someone who is doing a phd on burroughs, this book is one of the most accessible and well written I've come across, thank you! It is also a fascinating read for anyone interested not only in burroughs and his life, but has a deeper interest in how his personal beliefs influenced and translate into his writing. 10/10 monograph and I'm so glad I found it.
Report
Michael K
4.0 out of 5 stars Two for One: Burroughs and Scientology neatly summed up in one book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2014
Verified Purchase
For any Burroughs afficianados, this book is a bit of a departure, analysing just how his involvement with Scientology remained a crucial influence. And, as seen through this influence, we get to see Scientology in curiously positive aspect but with the qualification that Burroughs definitively rejected the organisation, if not the teachings. Exemplary research and an immensely readable writing style makes Willis' book quite a gem. Recommended.
Report
John Champion
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and important study
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2014
Verified Purchase
Drawing on a wide range of unpublished material, as well as revisiting the familiar texts, Wills provides a refreshing and surprisingly enlightening new window into Burroughs. Very readable and accessible, but highly recommended to seasoned Burroughs readers as well as novices, given the quality of the research and analysis.
Report
Hakim Briki
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you David S. Wills
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2015
Verified Purchase
Wow.
Frankly, I applaud David S. Wills' patience and perseverence. The amount of research he has done to write this book is massive.
Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' sheds a lot of light on a big part of the legendary author's life I wasn't familar with. In fact, it makes me want to reread all of his books.
Wills starts off by recounts Burroughs' childhood experiences, encounters and traumas that eventually made him who he was, and which played a crucial role in his interest for L Ron Hubbard' dianetics and the e-meter.

The dynamics between William Seward and the "Church of Scientology" is nothing short of fascinating. When you start thinking about certain themes addressed in Burroughs' books (Nova triolgy, red night trilogy) such as mind control, language as a virus, it all makes sense. The problem is: Burroughs thought Scientology was a way to rid the world of mind control. Little did he know that Scientology uses this very technique to dominate people. Besides Burroughs' wild ride with Scientology, Wills provides juicy details about the author's private life and aspirations, his failures and accomplishments, that made me want to reexplore his books, which I now see completely differently.
Report
woodwild
4.0 out of 5 stars lost boy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2015
Verified Purchase
A very detailed and precise examination of Burroughs deep brush with Scientology and his hard won escape, what this book really reveals is Burroughs seeking, his need to find answers that were never going to satisfy and his escape from those who sold the lies
Report