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Going Clear
Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief
540 pages
A gripping, meticulously documented descent into the architecture of a modern belief system and the terrifying lengths it goes to protect its secrets.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like watching a slow-motion psychological thriller, except every staggering detail is meticulously documented fact. The narrative pulls you in with the bizarre, almost cinematic origins of a modern belief system, only to lock the doors behind you as the atmosphere grows increasingly claustrophobic and tense. Wright's prose is a masterclass in cool, objective journalism; he never raises his voice, allowing the sheer audacity of the manipulation, celebrity complicity, and institutional abuse to speak for itself. It is a propulsive, deeply unsettling experience that shifts your initial morbid curiosity into a profound sense of dread and outrage. Perfect for readers who devour rigorous investigative deep-dives and are fascinated by the dark, magnetic pull of charismatic authority.
- Mood
- unsettling
- claustrophobic
- tense
- fascinating
- Tone
- authoritative
- objective
- chilling
- relentless
- Pace
- propulsive
- Themes
- psychology of belief · institutional abuse · charisma and control · celebrity influence · cost of defection
- The writing
- Meticulously researched and sharply lucid, presenting staggering claims with a cool, journalistic detachment that amplifies their impact.
- The arc
- Moves from wide-eyed fascination with eccentric origins to profound outrage and dread as the mechanisms of control tighten.
- Who it's for
- Devotees of deep-dive investigative journalism and anyone fascinated by the dark psychology of cults and unchecked institutional power.
Content notes
- psychological manipulation
- emotional abuse
- physical violence
- harassment and stalking
- child neglect
About the book
"Based on more than two hundred personal interviews with both current and former Scientologists--both famous and less well known--and years of archival research, Lawrence Wright uses his extraordinary investigative skills to uncover for us the inner workings of the Church of Scientology: its origins in the imagination of science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard; its struggles to find acceptance as a legitimate (and legally acknowledged) religion; its vast, secret campaign to infiltrate the U.S. government; its vindictive treatment of critics; its phenomenal wealth; and its dramatic efforts to grow and prevail after the death of Hubbard"--From publisher description.
Description from Open Library.
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