Book Description
Atack exposes Hubbard's bizarre imagination and behavior, tracing the creation of Scientology in the years following World War II to perhaps its final schism following Hubbard's death in 1986. A shocking book that reveals all: the abuses, falsehoods, paranoia, and greed of Hubbard and his pseudo-military Scientologist henchmen. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (117)

Free Your Mind
What a cynical world we live in.
Tell me why it is alright for the FBI to kill innocent men, women, and children at Waco.
Tell me why people worship Hitler even though we know he killed millions of people.
Tell me why we live in a world where anything new or helpful is deemed a cult.
Tell me why the most popular organized religion killed thousands and thousands of women during the Salem witch trials.
I will tell you why, because humans are closed minded and scared of what they don`t understand.
I don't care what you say about L. Ron Hubbard.
You can hate him, put him down, burn his books...whatever.
It is a fact that was a liar, lived in a fantasy world, and robbed millions of their hard earned money.
But you can not tell me that the book Dianetics if you honestly read it, is a load of crap.
Because if you honestly read it, then you will know, like I and millions of others know.
That it is an amazing and wonderful book. You can not tell me that if you studied the fundamentals of Scientology and applied it's teachings to your life.
That your life didn't change for the better. I don't believe that Scientology is a religion.
I believe that Dianetics and Scientology is a guide, a philosophy.
The secret to unlocking the magic and power of these works is to stay away from the crooked organization that is the Church of Scientology.
The only reason that it is even called a church is because L. Ron Hubbard got tired of paying taxes.
If you study the material on your own or with other not connected to the church it can and will help you in your life.
I have been studying Dianetics and Scientology for years and it has helped me a lot.
But this is because I have avoided being sucked into the Church.
Like I said before say what you will about L. Ron Hubbard.
Butdo not let your hate or misinformed mind keep you from buying Dianetics and other Scientology books on EBAY or Amazon.
Study the philosophy of Scientology and Dianetics and soon you will see what I have said is true.
I am not sure how a lying, lazy, two-faced Science Fiction writer was able to come up with the information in these works but he did.
I believe that his job was to write these books and help people.
But as some humans do, once he saw what he did.
That was when he decided to take it another step and take advantage of the people we was supposed to be helping.
Does that make him an evil man, well quite possibly yes.
But it doesn`t mean that the information that he was blessed with and was here to write is too.
So let the negativity go, let what you have heard go, and let your mind go, and read these books.
Dianetics, Clear Body Clear Mind, The Scientology Handbook and Scientology A New Slant On Life.

The Never Ending Story
I became interested in the various books of scientology and unfortunately ordered some from their headquarters, from that moment on I had no peace, phone calls and mail poured in, even after explaining to them I had no interest in being a member of their organization they did not cease. They even began trying to call me during my work hours? I enjoy reading some of their material but do not like their constant calling. I wish them well but they need to learn that not everyone who reads their books wants to be a member. In the future if at all possible I will order the books from Amazon.

my personal experience
I have been a Scientologist for many years now.I have had parts of this book read to me by "concerned" relatives.Even if the thing this book brings up are true, which I have yet to be able to confirm any, I don't see the searing hatred justified.For example, the news about the GO's office having problems within it and Hubbard's ex-wife being in that office.So what?My life is far better off from Hubbard's works. What about the claim that people experienced in Scientology have gone through confessionals and are warning people that the point of the confessionals is to bribe people.Honestly,how could someone go through rigorous confessionals and publically issue crazy warnings like that?It doesn't make sense if you think about it. I could walk away from any or all of it any time I wish.True statement.I would not trade the wins I have had from Scientology for anything.True statement.

EXPOSING SCIENTOLOGY

While I haven't read this particular book, I have read the reviews and one, at least, mentioned how the Scientologists have tried to "erradicate" this book.I'm wondering if that is what is happening with the book I have ordered, "Escaping Scientology".It was to have been published this past April but now the publication date has been delayed until December, 2007.

I live in Clearwater, Florida, and for those who don't know, Clearwater is the headquarter for Scientology. They are all over downtown and have bought up several properties in order to expand. If I had my way, they would all be run out of not only Clearwater but all of Florida-better, yet, the entire country.

A Piece of Blue Sky: Scientology, Dianectics and L Ron Hubbard
Al principio es interesante, luego, en los ultimos capitulos, se repite mucho lo dicho en capitulos anteriores.

At the beginning is ok, but the other chapter repeat a lot the same that the first's chapter. ... Read more

Book Description
Is there such a thing as "too far" when it comes to searching for the ultimate answers to life?Never.

But an important discovery has been made which you should know about.

Who are you? Where do you come from? Where are you going?

Did you ever wonder if the answers were sitting right under your nose?

So here's something different.

No mumbo jumbo. No initiation. No human sacrifices. Just the facts.

And they pack more punch than anything you ever studied on the subject of the mind, spirit and life.

Real answers work. They lead somewhere. You can use them. That's Scientology.

Scientology is used by people of all walks, races and faiths. It can restore honesty and trust, create happiness, raise I.Q. and improve personality.

If you want a better life and have been looking for a down-to-earth, practical way to make it happen, then read this book. With over 800 pages and 500 illustrations, this book will take you through an extensive overview of what Scientology has to offer and explain why it has become the fastest growing religion in the world.

Book Features:

Large-format softcoverOver 800 pages and 500 illustrations64 color chartsComplete catechismAccompanying course availableScientology Results Speak for Themselves:

"I have been involved in the Scientology religion for 25 years and it has helped me tremendously in understanding my own true nature and thereby improving my life.

"What I learned in Scientology has helped me in every area of living. I have had a wonderful 22-year relationship with my husband and we work as a team. I have two great kids of whom I am very proud. They are happy, responsible and able to grow up drug-free as a result of their own moral code. They respect others and communicate well. All of these things I have in my life as a result of Scientology. It gave me the tools, and then I applied them to my life to change conditions.

"Now when I meet new people each day, I see how rough life can be for them and how it so adversely affects them. I know I have a spiritual technology that can truly help them, and I do help them. Scientology has given me the viewpoint that it is my responsibility to do so." - D.G.

"Before I discovered the technology of L. Ron Hubbard, I had been married three times. With all my marriages ending in divorce, I was desperate to find out what it would take to make one work.

"In Scientology, I learned what was behind my failures and how I had erred in choosing a mate. I learned about the basic principles of life and discovered I was able to repair the damage I had done. Soon afterwards I met and married a wonderful man. We recently celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary and together are very involved in the lives of our 10 grandchildren!

"Had it not been for achieving a whole new level of spiritual awareness through Scientology, I am certain I would have either continued my hopeless pattern of marriage and divorce or chosen to live alone and be deprived of the companionship and love of a very special man. Instead, I have a very fulfilling marriage and have been able to build lasting family relationships. This is truly wonderful." — D.C. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (51)

Heinlein is a much better writer of Sci-Fi, and Pubmed is where you go for science.
This book is a poor example of science fiction disguised as a self-help novel.I would not trust uncited "science" that came from the mouth of a second rate science fiction author.While making endless unfounded claims about mental health, Hubbard weaves a tale that only a child could find enlightening (or factual).Save your money.P.S - Xenu did it.

Factual and Interesting

When I first heard about Scientology I said what is that? So many questions.This book answered my questions, and then some.
This group really is bettering conditions in this world, and the proof is in their many successes - how often does one find success like this?Great book for a gift or for a library or personal reference and full of information.

Scientology from Scientologists
I am one who is superbly interested in the religion/cult/scam/whatever the hell you want to call it of Scientology. This is not because I am hoping to actually learn anything from it, or am in any way a believer, but I am actually genuinely interested in its workings and just how well we can convince people of things. The general message is that "What isn't true for you isn't true" and therefore L Ron Hubbard's existence must not be true. Well crap, looks like I got proved wrong there. There are many other resources one can use to learn more about Scientology. I suggest not only looking at Scientology resources (not this one though) but also outside resources like xenutv.com and xenu.net. They are all free and usually will spend less time than it will take to read this. Live long and prosper.

Scientology-On the Outside Looking In
"What is Scientology?" is how the American-made religion presents itself to outsiders. It's slickly produced, with colorful pictures, and endless lists of the books one must buy&the courses one must take to become an "Operating Thetan." This book is helpful in decoding the recently leaked video in which Tom Cruise refers to SPs (suppressive persons),LRH (L. Ron Hubbard) technology, and KSW (Keep Scientology Working). Scientology claims a massive following, basically runs Clearwater,Florida as its company town, and has its tendrils in Hollywood (the Celebrity Centre its epicenter-with followers like Cruise, Jenna Elfman, Leah Remini, Kristie Alley,Jason Lee&John Travolta)

"What is Scientology?" decodes Scientologyspeak such as "engrams" (past traumatic experiences),the human "tone scale" (to evaluate one's emotional level),and the "E-meter" (a quasi-lie detector to register one's state of Clear) Of course,it steers clear of the meaty subjects of Xenu, the Purification Rundown, Sea Org,and L. Ron Hubbard's distaste for religion in general-as well as his involvement with the Thelemic occult. As a standard text,it sidesteps controversy. For the curious, this is better than going to a Scientology center for a "personality test." It's educational,in its own way.

I really liked this
I really liked this book. It gave a nice overview of the scientology religion and answered a lot of questions I had. I have some very practical uses for what I read and am glad I did.
I say Read it and deicide for yourself. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Lead by example...
I find it hard to justify buying a book on self help and spiritual awareness from a writer who by all accounts and records died paranoid, delusional and alone.If I want to read about aliens and science fiction I would buy a book from L. Hubbard.But when it comes to psychology and self help I will place my trust in the properly educated.

(references;The Life of L Ron Hubbard, British Documentary from 1997)

A triumph of obfuscation
It's mostly just a summary of all the different things you should know as a low level scientomologist, ie lots of meaningless jargon and concepts which have little coherence.Take the previous reviewers advice and check out what's available on the internet before paying for this hodgepodge of sci fi inspired psychobabble.Oh and the cover is terrible.

WHY BUY WHEN YOU CAN GET IT FREE ON THE INTERNET?
Don't give your money to an organization that plots terrorist acts against innocent people. If you are interested in scientology, then google Freezone. Freezone is a group of very nice people who really do want to help the world by using the beliefs of scientology. Please do not give up your money to the CoS. Instead seek out the practitioners of Freezone, you'll be glad you did. ... Read more

Book Description
Here is something you can actually use day-in and day-out in the practical world of living—tools that enable you to handle a broad scope of situations that we all face in today's world.

Whether it's raising healthy and happy children, improving your quality of communication with your associates, or having an exact plan on how to achieve your goals in life —The Scientology Handbook gives you proven and effective tools that can immediately be put to use in these areas.

Once you understand the exact barriers in the road to achieving what you want in life, you can take effective action to remedy this. And that is exactly what you get with this book.

The Handbook is so practical that anyone can pick it up, read it and apply it. It is broken down into 19 separate bodies of technology, addressing the most common problems of man, such as:

Education and how to handle illiteracyRelationships and how to maintain a successful marriageSolutions to the everyday problems of the workaday worldKeeping children happy, productive and healthySuccessful communication with anyoneAssists for illness and injuriesOvercoming the effects of drugs

Today, the need for real solutions is crucial. Abuses of every description are rampant in the world—drugs, crime, conflict, terrorism, illiteracy, immorality—the list seems endless. To have any decent future at all, you need to know this manual for living and use it.

Enough people doing so will create the positive effect our turbulent society must have.

Book Features:

Large hardcover formatOver 900 pages and 700 illustrations19 chapters covering different areas of lifePractical exercises following each chapter for applicationResults from others who have read the book:

"Recently I went to the hospital to see a friend who'd had an accident. He had been pretty badly mangled up and was in a coma, not responding to anyone or anything. The 'experts' at the hospital said he'd never walk again, use his hands, or live to see his next birthday. I was running assists on him from The Scientology Handbook for several weeks when one day he regained consciousness. Using another assist from the handbook I got him into communication with the environment and then with me. To the total disbelief of the doctors and staff, I continued the assists for another week and both he and I walked out of the hospital together. That was the biggest thrill of my life and it was totally because I used the techniques from The Scientology Handbook." —G.M.

"I spent a few hours and read the entire Scientology Handbook. It gave me a sense of knowingness I've never had before. I knew that I was prepared for any situation in life and I'd know what to do. I now perform assists at work and apply the technology from the book. Now I'm considered a miracle worker and someone who knows what she's doing. All my life I've tried to help people, but now with The Scientology Handbook, I can really help them!" —K.J. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

So full of useful info you won't believe it!
Wow where to start on this book? There is so much data in this book you could literally start a career in just about any of it's chapters. This is most basic yet powerful tools Scientology has to offer and using them will change your life.

Whether you want to improve your study skills, your ability to analyze data or help a person with physical injuries, this book will have something for you that will just grab your imagination & you can RUN WITH IT!

You cannot go wrong with this book! Get it and enjoy!

Changed my life in all the right ways
It had everything I had ever been looking for to change my life and turn it around for the better.

Scientology Handbook
This really is a very useful handbook with real answers that work well to help with almost any situation in life, to improve your life or help someone else.Very easy to use with lots of pictures and illustrations.I think the study technology should be used in all schools...actually should be the first course that kids do in school.I love the chapter on management and use it all the time.This book also helped me to get over a major loss.

Solutions to problems in life
I love this book because it is so useful. Each chapter contains methods for handling problems in some aspect of life.

From childrearing to studying more effectively, to increasing the production in a company, you can find very useful information - and processes - that, when applied, can improve your life.

This book, on its own, is an incredible resource. I recommend it to everyone!

Everyone should read this book
I have spent 12 years on a spiritual quest, and ran into this book while doing a search term.I had heard so many negative things about Scientology, that I ignored my findings for 3 years.3 years later, and hundreds of abandoned books, again I search, and this book comes up.So I buy it.And now I kick myself for not acknowledging it when I first discovered it.

I have read thousands of books, I read every day, I study every day, and this is by far the best practical guide to life I have ever encountered.I use the information daily.Whether it is dealing with my children, setting goals, performing nerve assists or touch assists on friends and family with pain, public relations, organization - I spent 4 days doing the practical applications in my home and in my office, and I felt lighter and free to think when the clutter was removed, marriage, and something I use with myself and taught my kids was the technology of study.The entire educational system should adopt this, and it is so easy you could do it in under a week.The cause of suppression - since reading this I have never had a cold or illness since.There is much more, and this book would make the best gift to a son or daughter heading off to college, or for any adult that is not flourishing.

Until you discover an answer for yourself, the rest is heresay and gossip.
... Read more

Product Description
The failure of modern science, dogmatic churches and established political parties to provide satisfactory answers to people, has made the market boom with psycho-cults. In the endless flood of sentimental cosmologies, mind machines, gracious gurus and false prophets, the so-called Church of Scientology - a thriving cult of greed and power - is a shark in the mill-pond.Due to his extensive knowledge of Hubbard's work and writings, and great clarity of presentation, the author - a Church of Scientology drop-out, writing under the pseudonym of L. Kin - succeeds in unmasking the internal affairs as well as the strategic intentions of the sect. Reading the first part provides the kind of thrill one would get from a secret service dossier. In the second part, the reader finds out what it is that drives the paying public into the many arms of this international psycho-monster. False assertions and untenable promises are exposed. Written in an easy style, the book takes the gloss off hyped-up secrecies but leaves the things standing as true that prove to be useful and workable.Scientology is one of the great irritating words of our time. The conflict between the saturatedness of industrialized nations and a globally threatening apokalypse results in man's growing desire for inner certainty and harmony, for new bearings in a mental disorientedness. This need is being catered for worldwide by the cunning management of the Church of Scientology with a flood of publications, to establish their pretentious claim to truth and supremacy. Is this all a fantasy? Will it blow over soon? Or is there perhaps a core of universal truth and practical applicability to this forty years old movement?This book reports the historical development of scientology from an independent viewpoint, strips fascist ideologies and artificially created myths away from it, and portrays its philosophy which deals with the fundamentals of man's existence. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Free Your Mind
What a cynical world we live in.
Tell me why it is alright for the FBI to kill innocent men, women, and children at Waco.
Tell me why people worship Hitler even though we know he killed millions of people.
Tell me why we live in a world where anything new or helpful is deemed a cult.
Tell me why the most popular organized religion killed thousands and thousands of women during the Salem witch trials.
I will tell you why, because humans are closed minded and scared of what they don`t understand.
I don't care what you say about L. Ron Hubbard.
You can hate him, put him down, burn his books...whatever.
It is a fact that was a liar, lived in a fantasy world, and robbed millions of their hard earned money.
But you can not tell me that the book Dianetics if you honestly read it, is a load of crap.
Because if you honestly read it, then you will know, like I and millions of others know.
That it is an amazing and wonderful book. You can not tell me that if you studied the fundamentals of Scientology and applied it's teachings to your life.
That your life didn't change for the better. I don't believe that Scientology is a religion.
I believe that Dianetics and Scientology is a guide, a philosophy.
The secret to unlocking the magic and power of these works is to stay away from the crooked organization that is the Church of Scientology.
The only reason that it is even called a church is because L. Ron Hubbard got tired of paying taxes.
If you study the material on your own or with other not connected to the church it can and will help you in your life.
I have been studying Dianetics and Scientology for years and it has helped me a lot.
But this is because I have avoided being sucked into the Church.
Like I said before say what you will about L. Ron Hubbard.
Butdo not let your hate or misinformed mind keep you from buying Dianetics and other Scientology books on EBAY or Amazon.
Study the philosophy of Scientology and Dianetics and soon you will see what I have said is true.
I am not sure how a lying, lazy, two-faced Science Fiction writer was able to come up with the information in these works but he did.
I believe that his job was to write these books and help people.
But as some humans do, once he saw what he did.
That was when he decided to take it another step and take advantage of the people we was supposed to be helping.
Does that make him an evil man, well quite possibly yes.
But it doesn`t mean that the information that he was blessed with and was here to write is too.
So let the negativity go, let what you have heard go, and let your mind go, and read these books.
Dianetics, Clear Body Clear Mind, The Scientology Handbook and Scientology A New Slant On Life.

Scientology Revealed for the Novice
This is a great rendition on Scientology. It will provide you with a quick grasp of the history, development and the main tenants of this science. The techniques are explained in great detail.The analogies are very good and convey very well. In contrast, R. L. Hubbard's books are not written in a coherent style. Concepts and techniques are not always fully explained and the author shifts his audience and topics without warning between the reader, the pc and the auditor. This is probably deliberate to create dependence on the CofS. The only books you need to read are Scientology:More than a Cult and Dianetics. If you are going to audit, then read Scientology: A Handbook for Use, by L. Kin. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

A very gripping, disturbing read
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (1/08)

"Out of the Cocoon: A Young Woman's Courageous Flight from the Grip of a Religious Cult" by Brenda Lee is a memoir chronicling the author's escape from the binding hold that the Jehovah Witness religion had on her family and life and the consequences that met her afterward.When Brenda was a young girl, Jehovah's Witnesses visited her Pennsylvania home with their literature and talked her family into doing a free bible study. That one knock on the door would forever change Brenda's life and her relationship with her family.Her mother became immersed in the Jehovah beliefs and decided that the whole family would be baptized as Jehovah's Witnesses.Brenda's father refused and was the only one not baptized although he did attend the meetings at Kingdom Hall.

Jehovah's Witnesses have a very rigid belief system without any room to bend.Growing up in the Jehovah faith was very traumatic for Brenda as she found herself isolated from the rest of her classmates.She could not celebrate the events they celebrated, participate in school activities, or date.Also, as a Jehovah's Witness you cannot be friends with or associate with people who are not of the same faith as you.To top all of it off she even had teachers who abused her because of her religion.

When she finally came of age she escaped to live with a cousin that she had never met in Colorado and tried to start her life anew by breaking free from the holds that the religion had on her.However, her insecurities fostered from being isolated and ostracized as a child followed her into adulthood and there were consequences that followed.

Unfortunately in the Jehovah faith once someone leaves the religion they cannot be associated with anymore by those still in the faith.This even applies to family members.So in a sense by leaving the religion she also lost her family, all except for her father (he was not baptized into the faith).After trying to "save her" and failing, they would not talk to her anymore and essentially they cut her out of their life.

While I understand that the Jehovah faith did have a huge effect on the author's life it seems that she blames everything that goes wrong on that premise which I find a little bit unbelievable.There are other factors involved that cause things to turn out the way that they do.I do understand her anger but in some cases it seems that it is misdirected.

All in all, the book is a very engaging and a fast read!I read all 238 pages from start to finish in one night.I learned a lot about the Jehovah's Witness faith and I was actually shocked by a lot of the things that I read.I honestly had no idea that these people who come knocking on my door believed some of the things that they do.To disown a family member because they choose not to be involved in your faith is, in my opinion, ridiculous!I applaud Brenda Lee for having the courage to come forward and write this memoir and hope that others can benefit from reading about her experience.I think that anyone who is considering becoming a member of this religion or any similar religion should definitely read "Out of the Cocoon" before doing so!

Wonderfully Candid and Inspiring
I can't say enough about this book. Admittedly the child abuse Brenda describes is sometimes very disturbing to read but what makes it disturbing is that it actually happened and was condoned by this religious group.Chapter 1 starts out with a graphic story that Brenda wrote called, All Alone in the World. You might think her writing isn't good, but that's because she was only 12 when she wrote Chapter 1.The rest of the book is so wonderfully written...Brenda is a remarkable story-teller. I truly felt like I was in her shoes.I felt her pain, confusion, guilt, fear, joyful triumphs.You may think this sounds like a totally depressing book but it's actually quite light-hearted and funny. It contains a lot of Brenda's off-beat humor and many inspiring quotes. Sometimes I laughed and sometimes I cried.

Out of the Cocoon shows how Brenda's mom, a normal all-American Methodist Sunday school teacher could be swept up in the destructive rules imposed by the Jehova Witnesses and how those rules could ultimately sever her family ties forever.

Brenda's book is about so much more than growing up in a cult though.She talks about being a single mom and struggling to survive, feeling vulnerable and alone and rejected by those she loved, being in a bad relationship because she was afraid to be all alone. Every teenager and adult in America should read this book because it helps the reader understand how our childhood so dramatically affects our choices once we become adults. Very insightful!

The message is clear that if you think you're too strong-willed or smart to ever become a member of a harmful group or cult, you have probably just moved one step closer to becoming one. Don't believe your family is safe like her mom did. She thought Jehova Witness seemed so nice when they offered a free study but this is how they trapped Brenda's family into joining them.I was SHOCKED to learn that they even have a door-to-door quota to meet and have to turn in how much time they spend talking to people when they go to people's doors.Then they become downright cruel and shun their own children if they don't want to be a member of their church!Unbelievable!

I highly, highly recommend that you read this book because it could prevent you from losing your child or parent someday. As a parent myself, I feel fortunate that I can share this knowledge with my family. I have a cousin who is a Jehova Witness and now I understand why she became so distant from me when she joined this church.

Bravo to Brenda for being so courageous and saving/helping others through her story!!

Awesome book even for those not former JW's
I read this book and found it very enthralling.It kept me interested from beginning to end.After reading it I was able to pass it along to my neices who, never being JW's were able to understand what we (those of us former JW's) went through.They could understand it in simple language and we shocked and stunned by the simplicity of the book and yet the complications of being a JW.I wholely recommend this book to any and all who are or have left the JW's to understand the simpliest form of abuse that takes place without even knowing it.

AMOTHER
Brenda is a very strong willed person , because that is what it takes to to pull yourself out of an ocult ! everyone that has children should read this book so you can protect them from Jehovah Witness . they seek out week and needy people weather they are young or old . i know of what this girl wrote is true . it is hard to beleive that a mother could stand back and watch their child go hungry , but it is true . just like Brenda says . educate yourself people , they go after theweek minded . i wish i would have had this book 20 years ago , i could have saved my daughter from her heart ache . thank God she broke away like Brenda did , but my daughter had our help , Brenda did not . they brain wash you !!!!

almost typical working class young adulthood stuff, with a twist
This book is written well and clearly. It reads like a real person wrote it herself. This is a good thing. It is also free of overly ambitious prose or attempts at poetic descriptions or other self indulgent writing, so the story moves along and is quite readable.

The book is less about the cult than it is about the common dificulties most young people face when moving out on their own. The family in this case is somewhat disfunctional, but not tremendously so.

The insight into the cult then, is confined to the observations of a young girl who watches as her family is alienated from her and who gets ostracized in her high school social scene. We also get some vivid descriptions of the generalized child abuse that happens in this cult's 'kingdom hall' services. We get a few specific bits of the belief system of the cult and the various requirements placed on their members (eg hours of door to door solicitations), but there is no real in-depth insider perspective on the cult, and it becomes a background story about one third into the book.What's left is the kind of thing that seems very common to me, and that is the story of the girl getting out, first apartment, getting to school on the bus, etc. In excrutiating detail.

We also get the inevitable self-defeating attraction to the alcoholic, backing into marriage with same, the day by day details of the doomed marriage, the child, the eventual divorce, the struggle to get day care, etc etc etc. With constant flashbacks to her family who've turned stone-cold towards her as required by their cult. Not quite soap opera.

In short it's a tale diminished by it's attention to mundane details of a somewhat ordinary struggle. It's distinguishing characteristic of cult survival offers so little insight into the cult that it is almost a minor thematic item. What there is of it is good reading, but if you are looking for something in depth and involved about the organizational and other strangeness of the Jehovah's Witness cult, you must be disappointed. ... Read more

Book Description
The ebooks in our Cults series compares the teaching of various major religious groups with basic fundamental Biblical doctrine.They are not designed to ridicule or scorn the teaching of those who differ in their faith and doctrine, but to examine the teaching of groups who claim to either hold to orthodox Biblical Christian doctrine or who claim that their movements accommodate Biblical Christianity. Available material was researched and leading people interviewed, where possible.The conclusions drawn in this ebook about Scientology are based on information made available and every effort has been made to present the material as accurately as possible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Serious Enlightenment
This review was fascinating! Nothing less. Most never knew L. Ron Hubbard was a two-bit criminal and fabricated many aspects of his life.How could ANYONE follow someone with a background like this? After reading Val Waldeck's information on this cult (Scientology: What do they believe?, and I assure you, it's a cult, I was just completely amazed. Some have written reviews that have been harsh and it's apparant and obvious that they are current members of the very organization she's exposed! Even the German government (who's fairly liberal) has tried to rid thier country of this mind-altering, brain-washing organization. It's a criminal cult with a criminally found leader and foundation. The guy even wrote bad checks and fabricated his 'military' service. Not the kind of person you'd want 'enlightenment' from. I HIGHLY recommend any of Val Waldeck writings, although I have no affiliation with the organization or such, it was an honest and penetrating to the bone writing and had me wanting more!!

If you're Christian and worried about becoming a Scientologist then read this...
...otherwise it's a complete waist of time and money (and yes, three dollars is far more than what this PDF is worth).Val Waldeck accomplishes nothing in this "publication" other than to state very clearly that Jesus Christ is the only one you should believe in.Make no mistake, the foreword contains the following: "This ebook was written with the earnest desire that it will assist Christians to obey the instruction of 1 John 4:1".

As a non-Scientologist curious what all this "Church of Scientology" talk is about I was grossly disappointed with this pamphlet.I use the term pamphlet as this text actually contains only 12 pages (not 40 - and in large font print no less!) dealing with the background/history/rumors of The Church of Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard.The remainder is pro-Christianity rhetoric with heavy biblical referencing and two pages with some vague bullet point style tidbits about what cults are and do.Save yourself as you will learn nothing here about the Church of Scientology that you wouldn't already know from word-of-mouth alone.

Informative

Very well written and researched and most useful to anyone wanting to know all about what various cults believe.

Val Waldeck's Books are Inspirational
I have read all of Val Waldeck's book and have to say that I find them so Inspirational & Spiritual.She is an amazing teacher and has special insight into everything that she writes.
I look forward to more of her wonderful books being published.

Val Mitchell
Durban, South Africa ... Read more

Book Description
"You remember when you were maybe five years old and you went out in the morning and you looked at the day, and it was a very beautiful day, and you looked at the flowers and they were very beautiful flowers. Twenty-five years later you get up in the morning, you take a look at the flowers — they are wilted. They day isn't a happy day. Well, what has changed? You know they are the same flowers, it's the same world, something must of changed. Probably it was you." - L. Ron Hubbard, from Scientology: A New Slant on Life

Have you ever asked the question, "is it possible to be happy?"

Often sought, but seldom found, there are no riches, gems or palaces as valued as mere happiness.

But how does one achieve happiness in the here and now, for yourself and those you care about?

Introducing a book by bestselling author L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology: A New Slant on Life. This book gives spiritual knowledge that opens the door to the life you want live.

A New Slant on Life is a collection of thirty of L. Ron Hubbard's best-loved articles and essays. Some originally appeared as magazine articles, while others are from his lectures and early radio programs; every one is a gem of wisdom and practical truth. The book's unique flavor was best stated by L. Ron Hubbard, in his introduction to the first edition:

"Who are you anyway? Where do you come from? What will happen to you? Are you a product of the mud as you have been told, to exist for a few years and then wither away and fertilize the earth from which they said you came?

"Scientology has answers to those questions, good answers that are true, answers that work for you. For the subject matter of Scientology is you." — L. Ron Hubbard

Here's a book that does what you don't expect it to do — it actually gives you practical data you can apply right now to create the life you want to live. The Scientology philosophy contains new discoveries about life that have never been known before. Learn two rules for happy living. Practical secrets of success. How to achieve your goals... Read and use this book and you will see life in a whole new light. Some of the questions you will find answered in this book are:

What is the anatomy of success and failure?How can you create and maintain happiness?How can you increase understanding in any relationship?What is greatness and how can you develop greatness in yourself?Can you do anything about the twists and turns of "fate"?What does professionalism have to do with one's happiness?How does a person cease to cause things to happen in his life?How do you raise responsible and sane children?What is the basis of marital success?What is the cause of violence and conflict between people and what works to resolve it?A New Slant on Life embraces the full range of man's interests and activities, from the day-to-day and down-to-earth to the upper reaches of the philosophical and spiritual. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (38)

Simple yet very useful book
When of the first books I read when first starting to study Scientology. I still refer to it and use it 18 years later. Some basic ideas that can change your life!

ENjoy!

Fantastic Introduction
New Slant on Life will show you things that you can use today to better enjoy your life. I was especially impressed with the section "How to Live With Children" that helped me greatly in my relationship with my child. If you only ever read one Scientology book, I'd recommend this one.

I recommend this as a first introduction
For anyone interested in finding out what Scientology is all about, I recommend this book first. It isn't "about" Scientology - rather, it is a little piece of the kinds of things we learn in Scientology.

Composed of essays, it gives a look into how the mind works, what the relationship is between the mind, spirit, and body, a brief look at what our capabilities are as spiritual beings, and some applicable rules about life and livingness. You can study the material, apply it to your own life, and see how it works FOR YOU.

This is a great first book for anyone interested in the subject.

Scientology:a new slant on life
Out of all of L. Ron Hubbard's works, this is the most straight forward and interesting.This book makes it easy to understand Scientology and apply it to your life.

Personal Story
There was a chapter that changed my life and my idea on effort.The Chapter "Anatomy of Failure" explained that a person's downfall comes from things not happening the way they want.This was true for me.My life was a long chain of failures and I was miserable from failing.So, the change came with the advice to intend for life to keep on happening the way life keeps on happening--and a healthier way of living to try to change things for the better BUT not to be broken hearted when failure occurs.Hello!I thought I always had to be gung-ho and do or die and I was just killing myself because not everything goes my way.So I was stupid.I guess this is a confession, not a review.However, each chapter is a different subject and an excellent insight into the scope of the Scientology religion.Don't be scar'd!Books don't bite. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description
Certain truths that LRH discovered were central, senior data - the axioms, codes and scales. These are the fundamentals and principles that were used to develop all of our auditing procedures and applications of Scientology technology in life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Indispensible
This is a book to not only read cover to cover, but to keep handy as reference to aid day-to-day living. It can be understood on various levels at different times... I first read it many years ago, but I keep discovering "new" things in it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Finally someone with some credentials looking at Scientology
This review board has some reviews from people who are just filled with hate which is unfortunate.

This book is something I gave to my Professor Father to read, as he was not a Scientologist & had heard some of the bad press out there so he had some concerns. After this he didn't and he understood what I was doing and what I was interested in.

It is written by someone with credentials & hasn't had any personal experience with the church's technology. He can see the church for the facts not the hateful twisted distortions one gets from former disgruntled members, (most of whom have public criminal records).

Some people on these reviews make comments regarding Scientology & money. It has nothing to do with this book, however, I think that anyone who has been in a Christian Church will remember that at the end of a service, the collection plate is passed around.

Plus Pastors very often solicit parishioners for further donations. Just watch the TV any Sunday morning! So don't try & deride Scientology because people donate money to it & somehow infer that that is some sort of crime.

Also if you go to Asia, Buddhist monks are required to go ask for alms, i.e. they sit and beg in the streets. In eastern cultures, the members of that society understand that the monks are mediating to obtain a spiritual enlightenment & thusly help all of mankind. People freely donate there as well.

It is the material world and all religions still need money to survive. There is absolutely a rightness in that as they help people.

Meantime Medical Doctors take money from Pharma reps to prescribe drugs that have often powerful side effects. The news is filled every year with the damage done by people on these medications. All of the school shootings & the people left dead are because the Pharma companies & the doctors who prescribe them favor profits over real help. This is the greatest tragedy of our time.

Obviously some people have done enough bad things with money that when others do something good with it, it drives them mad.

Too Short for any Significant Impact...
If you are looking for a book about Scientology that offers an objective understanding of the origins of the church, how the church is structured, and what the faithful believe, then this book might be a good place to start.Melton's book comes close on all three counts, but due to it's abbreviated length, doesn't quite satisfy the need.

There are all manner of information about Scientology found in traditional publications and on the internet.Unfortunately most of the information is decidely pro or anti church.The bulk of the anti information comes from individuals who have had a negative experience with the church and much of the pro information comes from church or the writings of it's founder L. Ron Hubbard.So unless you wade through the agendas found in either sides publications your unlikely to get a solid understanding of what makes this church and it's membership tick.

The one publication that seems to take an objective look at the church and it's surrounding controversy is this book.Regarding most issues addressed, Melton is careful to provide the opinion of the church's opponents as well as the church's take on the issue.It's as balanced as it can get.

Unfortunately the sheer size of the book prevents it from becoming anything but a rudimentary primer on the very basics of the church.16 of it's 80 paperback size pages are support notes for the author's discussion.And 64 pages is about 300 pages short of a comprehensive study of one aspect of the church let alone it's entire history.

The book takes the reader from the early life of founder L. Ron Hubbard, his writings and the development of Dianetics, through the Dianetics to Scientology evolution, and ends with information about how the church is structured.What it doesn't provide is any kind of understanding about the foundations of the religion, it's dogma or tenets - you will find no mention of Xenu here.

The value of this book is that it's a short, easy to read primer that those interested in exploring Scientology (in a scholarly or spriritual context) will find to be a great, objective place to start.

More entertaining than listening to seagulls screech
I used to be afraid of dwarves.But thanks to L. Ron Hubbard, I am now only afraid of things that come out of my butt.While this fear has grown more intense, I have a strange urge to buy all of Tom Cruise's movies on DVD including "Legend" in order that I might play them backwards to reveal a secret message.The message being L. Ron Hubbard's address, so I will know where to mail my check.Speaking of which, I think BattleField Earth with John Travolta got a bum rap.It was slightly more painful than placing one's testicle in a garlic press and squeezing.So just ask homeschoolmum, L. Ron Hubbard is in fact our savior.On Easter we celebrate his birth and best works of fiction like Dianetics.On Christmas, we spend lots of money on his products and give them to fellow pagans.It's not like any of us would dare give "Blue Lagoon" on DVD to another scientologist.So do you think Brooke Shields turned Tom Cruise down?

Melton's work is flawed
It is very obvious that Melton basically shares materials from Scientology's public relations office.There are factual errors in his work, many ommisions, and a minimizing of major legal actions against Scientology.Melton states that L. Ron Hubbard "never claimed the kind of formal academic credentials which the average scientists or physician possesses..." (pg 58)Wrong!In 1958 Hubbard published "The Problem of Work, Scientology Applied to the Work-a-day World", by "L.Ron Hubbard, C.E, PhD."C.E. is the designation for Chemical Engineer.

Melton glosses over the conviction of Scientologists for infiltrating and and stealing IRS materials by saying "In the end, the actual crimes for which they were convicted were relatively minor."Minor?They were sentences to four to five years in jail.

Melton says nothing about one of Scientology's major losses when, at the conclusion of a trail involving Hubbard, Judge Breckenridge stated "The evidence porrays a man who has been virtually a pathological liar when it comes to his history, background and achievements..."

No mention is made of the major Supreme Court ruling (Hernandez vs. IRS 1989) in which the Supreme Court denied Scientology the right to deducted "fixed donations" for the many courses required for advancement.And no comment is made as to how the IRS could nullify that finding and give Scientology the right to do so.

Nothing said about the 23,000 persons declared to be suppressive persons, people who Hubbard stated "could be tricked, lied to or destroyed."

Finally, look at the footnotes and sources.The vast majority are from Scientology's own material.Only a Scientology would call this material "objective."

Nice unbiased review
I've always respected J. Gordon Melton as a scholarly balanced religious scholar.This quick treatment of The Church of Scientology was excellent.I was able to read the entire book in a couple of hours and it gave me an excellent overview.I'm now going to check out the other books in this great little series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Very informative!
This comprehensive resource answers all the commonly asked questions about Scientology, including the history, a biography of the founder, church locations, various courses and counseling services available, Sunday Service, services provided by chaplains, volunteer ministers, support given by Scientology to the community, and more.

I found this to answer many of my own questions!

A great book about Scientology
I especially like the pictorial history of world religions.

This book contains the true secrets os L.Ron Hubbard
Despite attacks and slants against his works L.Ron Hubbard still remainsone of the best selling authors of the century. One must ask why, wellcontained in this book are all the top secret answers. If you had questionsabout the religion or the author then read this book. Many people will sayits a PR book to blur peoples vision. If that was the case turn to thechapter that gives you allthe details about the IRS investigations on thechurch. Try the pages that give you copies of all the declarations to thechurch, or thew question and answer pages. Don't believe anyone until youlook for yourself

Comprehensive and enlightening
The book 'What is Scientology' is a very comprehensive and thorough texton the subject of the Scientology Religion.I found it to be the finesttext on the subject matter, and very enlightening.Anyone reading thistext will find it will answer truthfully any questions you may have on thesubject matter.It is definitely a reliable source of information on thesubject of Scientology.Hubbard was truly an amazing man to have foundedsuch a compeling movement.My hat is off to those who compiled such a finereference.

Lots of facts, but not all!
I give a 7 because it's well written and the layout is superb.However, the photos of various E-Meter drills and Scientology sessions look VERY formal and almost military in nature - with some even wearing Navy-like uniforms.Also, very few photos of non-white persons.The info about Scientology is very interesting yet no mention is made of any 'teacher' other than L. Ron Hubbard, and he is presented in an almost God-like manner.Scientology doens't seem to support the teachings of anyone other than L. Ron Hubbard, whereas Chopra, Tracy, Robbins, etc all read and support each other's teachings.I also found it perplexing that while L. Ron Hubbard is very highly praised by Scientologists, I could not find a single mention in the book about any Hubbard family members that are involved and carrying on his lagacy.I found no mention of Hubbard children or widows who are currently in Scientology.Scientology and Dianetics might be for some people, but definitly not for everyone.Search CNN.com and other news sources if you're seriously interested. And by the way, if you have money you'll be very welcome because Dianetics & Scientology cost $$$!Their own literature says it's similar in cost (and time) to going to college for several years. ... Read more

Book Description
Is there such a thing as "too far" when it comes to searching for the ultimate answers to life?Never.

But an important discovery has been made which you should know about.

Who are you? Where do you come from? Where are you going?

Did you ever wonder if the answers were sitting right under your nose?

So here's something different.

No mumbo jumbo. No initiation. No human sacrifices. Just the facts.

And they pack more punch than anything you ever studied on the subject of the mind, spirit and life.

Real answers work. They lead somewhere. You can use them. That's Scientology.

Scientology is used by people of all walks, races and faiths. It can restore honesty and trust, create happiness, raise I.Q. and improve personality.

If you want a better life and have been looking for a down-to-earth, practical way to make it happen, then read this book. With over 800 pages and 500 illustrations, this book will take you through an extensive overview of what Scientology has to offer and explain why it has become the fastest growing religion in the world.

Book Features:

Large-format color Hardcover Over 800 pages and 500 illustrations

Complete catechismAccompanying course availableScientology Results Speak for Themselves:

"I have been involved in the Scientology religion for 25 years and it has helped me tremendously in understanding my own true nature and thereby improving my life.

"What I learned in Scientology has helped me in every area of living. I have had a wonderful 22-year relationship with my husband and we work as a team. I have two great kids of whom I am very proud. They are happy, responsible and able to grow up drug-free as a result of their own moral code. They respect others and communicate well. All of these things I have in my life as a result of Scientology. It gave me the tools, and then I applied them to my life to change conditions.

"Now when I meet new people each day, I see how rough life can be for them and how it so adversely affects them. I know I have a spiritual technology that can truly help them, and I do help them. Scientology has given me the viewpoint that it is my responsibility to do so." - D.G.

"Before I discovered the technology of L. Ron Hubbard, I had been married three times. With all my marriages ending in divorce, I was desperate to find out what it would take to make one work.

"In Scientology, I learned what was behind my failures and how I had erred in choosing a mate. I learned about the basic principles of life and discovered I was able to repair the damage I had done. Soon afterwards I met and married a wonderful man. We recently celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary and together are very involved in the lives of our 10 grandchildren!

"Had it not been for achieving a whole new level of spiritual awareness through Scientology, I am certain I would have either continued my hopeless pattern of marriage and divorce or chosen to live alone and be deprived of the companionship and love of a very special man. Instead, I have a very fulfilling marriage and have been able to build lasting family relationships. This is truly wonderful." — D.C. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Decide for Yourself about Scientology!
"What is Scientology" is the book that will let YOU decide what it's all about.That's what I did many years ago and it has helped me become a more successful, prosperous and happy person! I know full well about all the recent publicity surrounding this philosophy but it is about making this world a better place to live and as you know, we could use that at this particular time in history.Enjoy satisfying your own curiosity, read this book and pass it along.You won't be sorry.

Honest look at this popular religion
I have been practicing Scientology for 15 years, and have found that this book is a faithful representation of what Scientology is all about.

The book covers all aspects of the religion - from religious services, classes, perspectives on man, the mind, and the spirit, counseling (auditing), volunteer activities of church members, statistical information on members, what to expect in a church.

The book has a sturdy binding, and we've had ours for over a decade - it's been used often, and is still in good shape. It's got tons of pictures, including a fascinating section on the background of Scientology and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

I highly recommend this book for anyone looking into Scientology.

Extremely Thorough!
I purchased this book because I am interested in learning about ideas espoused by various religions.I was shocked to see that the original price was nearly $100.00 - that is, until I received it.This book is an amazing piece of art!I cannot even imagine the time involved in creating it.

This book contains everything you'd ever want to know about scientology, along with an extremely thorough review of just who L. Ron Hubbard is, and how he came to believe in the processes he calls "scientology".

Having read this book, I now realize how wrong many people are in what they think scientology is...One thing I now know for sure is that this is not some form of cult, seeking to destroy its members individuality.It's quite the opposite.

It appears to me that scientology is a form of personal psychology and spirituality.In fact, I think the tenets could be used side by side with other religious beliefs (it doesn't appear to be all or nothing - that if you believe in scientology, you can't believe in christian/jewish/muslim etc... ideas).Instead, the principles can work in conjunction with various other beliefs.The main premise is to bring the individual to a point where they understand who they are, what they are here for, and how they can help themselves and others with the difficulties we all encounter.It appears to place one on a spritual search - to find the answers that feel right to him/her.Instead of just believing whatever you are told, you are asked to seek within yourself.

If you are just wondering what scientology is all about (as I was), or if you are already involved with it, this book can be quite valuable.The pictures included are amazing, and the information is complete.For the bargain price above, you just can't beat it!

A wonderful, easy book to read and learn from.
I, myself am Jewish and my Husband is Christian. We both read this book and found it very interesting. Just by reading it, we both were able to analyze our lives and make changes. It is a great handbook to have when one has a dilema or would like a little push. I love the question and answer section. We are not the type of people that will judge a religion by what others say. We like to look into it, learn about it and research. So far, we have both learned that this is not a cult but a way of positive living. It's just like going to alcoholic anonymous or a therapist. People go for help, We both believe that there is nothing wrong with that. Who are we to judge? After 22 years of marriage, this is the first time we both agree with a philosophy. We like the way Scientology works things. Yes, I admit, none of us out there like to let go of our money. I know I, myself pay a membership fee to my Temple. My husband donates 10% of his paycheck to his church. And I ask myself why? Why do we need to pay to worship God? I never understood that. I did find out that you pay to take self improvement classes in Scientology. It makes sense. One has to pay for the books only. Not for the help you get from the people that are there. Doesn't this make more sense? It does tome. Whatever the case, everyone lives life the way they choose to live. I'll always be a Jew and my husband will always be a Christian. We don't judge. We don't live life based on what others say or do. We do for ourselves. If I had to do it again, I would buy the book again. We are now reading Dianetics! God bless you all.

Not only for Scientologists
I am a Scientologist, so don't expect this to be a bad review :-) Instead, let me tell you why I think this book is important, not only for Scientologists. First of all it will help to correct a lot of false information that has been spread about Scientology. A small number of people try to keep the old lies about this religious philosophy alive. If they could have it their way, it would be enough to label someone as a "Scientologist" and that would justify the denial of basic rights to that person - without considering who the individual is or what he actually does. This book tells the truth about Scientology and uncovers the lies. If you like witch-hunts then skip this book. But if you honestly wish to have a better understanding of a Scientologist or the subject itself - this is the best book you can get! And it may be a very pleasant surprise to find out the truth about it. This is an entirely revised edition of a book published already many years ago. It includes much broader information than the first edition and is therefore the preferred reading. It starts with a history of philosophy and religion and what happened to these subjects at the end of the 19th century. That knowledge makes it possible to understand why Scientology is not greeted with enthusiasm by a few followers of materialistic beliefs. If you ever thought that you are more than a compound of chemicals and that your dreams and ambitions reach quite a bit further than the ones of your pet, you may be extremely interested to read the first part of the book. You will learn that the concept that man is just some sort of animal is very young and that it has failed to bring truly helpful answers for our world. Instead it has been abused to derive the intellectual justifications for the murderers commited by Hitler, Stalin and other criminals of the 20th century. The idea, however, that man is a spirit or a soul is the traditional idea which has been held true over thousands of years by most major religions and philosophies. It is in that light and tradition that you will have to see Scientology in order to really understand it. The book goes on with detailed descriptions of all the important aspects of Scientology. This includes social activities in the fields of education, drug and criminal rehabilitation programs and more. If you read this you will understand why Scientologists think that their answers should be known broadly. Furthermore you find sections in this book that answer all questions, critical ones included, from the viewpoint of Scientology. If you want to know what it is all about, there is just no better book. I have been a Scientologist for 20 years. But when I started reading some parts of that book, I sometimes felt like I was being introduced to a new subject! This book really covers a LOT! Having said that, let me point out that much of the material in the book is also available on-line at this link: http://www.scientology.org/home.html ... Read more

Book Description
Searching for the ultimate answers to life?

Welcome to the finish line.

Is it possible to approach the vast subject of the mind, the spirit and life and arrive at basic principles which not only explain the deepest mysteries, but provide an exact measurable way to free yourself from them?

The answer is yes!

These basic principles can not only be known, they can be used to improve all aspects of your life.

And you will find them in this book. They are simple, and yet so powerful that just by reading and applying them you will transform your life and the lives of those around you.

For what is written in this book is truth. And you will recognize it like a long lost friend.

Find out about Scientology's greatest discovery-the source of life itself.

Discover how to use the three conditions of existence to determine your success in all aspects of life.

If you disagree with how things are, if you want a better life, then this book will take you on a journey where there is no limit to what you can accomplish, no end to what you can achieve.

Your search is over, but the adventure has just begun. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (41)

Gives you a new way to look at things
I read this book many years ago, and it definitely changed the way I looked at things in life.This book is a good introduction to Scientology.

Body Mind & Spirit
This is excellent reading for anyone who is interested in understanding better how the human mind works. The connection between Body, Mind and Spirit. Who are we? How can we be happier? Why do we behave the way in which we do? These life perplexing questions are answered here. After you read this book you may realize that you are not insane after all. You may even be able to change the way in which you think about life. Or the way in which you think about things all together, which may help you to bring about positive changes in your life.

Great personal advice & technology
In reading the reviews, some critics are using this book review as a rant for their own bigotry and have not actually read this book, which I have several times.One should purchase this book for the short articles on the formation of interpersonal and business relationships formula.What is the real goal of Scientology, rather than the nonsense from the news media?Check this out. Amazon has a feature where you can read a few pages before buying.

~~Great Basic Introduction to What Scientology is All About~~
This book is well written and straight forward. The chapers are short so you can read an entire chapter on a break at work. Each chapter covers a basic topic in Scientology. Then to top it off, if you're brave enough, in the end chapters you can learn some real Scientology counselling techniques and twin up with a friend and do them on each other! Using the techniques, you can improve your outlook on life. Something can be done about it after all! The counselling is only for the well disciplined though!

A meaty book
This book isn't for reading while you listen to punk rock. It's a thoughtful, chewy series of meals, best enjoyed and pondered alone or with an equally quiet and absorbed-elsewhere friend.

You won't find Christianity or Buddhism here, though Hubbard often credits Eastern religions for the genesis -- not the later discoveries developments -- of his theology and weltanschauung. If you're curious to find deeper life-truths than you'll find in any other popular author -- and more understandable philosophy than you'll find in a purposefully obscure philosophy class -- then you should read Fundamentals of Thought.

Read it slowly. View the new ideas in terms of "How might this be true? When could it be true? Are there times when it applies? Times it wouldn't apply? Have I seen this at work in life?"

The first time I read Fundamentals of Thought, I didn't love it. I was looking for a more fast-food answer to the Universe. I'd paid my money and I wanted my Big Slushy Truth now, please.

Later, I read it as part of a class where I had to dig into a dictionary to see *which* meaning of some of the words the author had meant. And I wrote some short essays on the chapters and concepts, then looked for ways these new ideas might be useful in the mean ol' walk-around world where I lived, made a living, and interacted with people.

So I came to appreciate the book on my second try. I hope you are more thoughtful and exploratory on your first try than I was. This book deserves it. And it pays you back for your time. ... Read more