Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
More like 2 1/2 stars.
This was an okay read but nothing I haven't already read elsewhere or didn't already know about Scientology. Leah seems very bitter ( and rightly so, I guess) but she seems to want to blame David Miscavige and Tom Cruise for some of scientology's more egregious flaws. But the truth is the whole thing is a sham even if LRH policy is followed to the letter. The "tech" is a bunch of hooey made up by a hack science fiction writer. This is a money making enterprise at best and a dangerous cult at worst. The whole thing is a house of cards built on a shifting sand foundation. There is no RELIGION. It's a self help set of introductory courses that anyone would find "helpful" like "how to communicate effectively" that sucks you in, then subsequent courses teach you how to build the trap that you create in your own mind to keep yourself trapped. It is evil.
This was an okay read but nothing I haven't already read elsewhere or didn't already know about Scientology. Leah seems very bitter ( and rightly so, I guess) but she seems to want to blame David Miscavige and Tom Cruise for some of scientology's more egregious flaws. But the truth is the whole thing is a sham even if LRH policy is followed to the letter. The "tech" is a bunch of hooey made up by a hack science fiction writer. This is a money making enterprise at best and a dangerous cult at worst. The whole thing is a house of cards built on a shifting sand foundation. There is no RELIGION. It's a self help set of introductory courses that anyone would find "helpful" like "how to communicate effectively" that sucks you in, then subsequent courses teach you how to build the trap that you create in your own mind to keep yourself trapped. It is evil.
This was pleasantly surprising - I like it. I didn't think I would hate it, but I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I'd probably give 3.5 stars, but not quite 4. I was amused by being able to "hear" the story told in Leah Remini's voice as I read it, something that definitely made me enjoy it a little more. Admittedly, I don't think I would have picked it up if my book club hadn't chosen it. I'm glad they picked it.
Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, Leah Remini's memoir focusing on life inside The Church of Scientology and her ultimate break from that "church" is intriguing and informative for the insider perspective on nearly all things Scientologist - church leadership, teachings of "LRH" (L. Ron Hubbard), the protected status of Tom Cruise, the monetary shake-down of members by the church, punishments doled out to members, the perception of criminal activity by church leadership, disappearances of members with too much knowledge - not to mention the effect and influence of the church on Remini's personal life, and the life she lived apart from the church. Had I read a non-audio version I might have rated it higher, however experiencing the audio version, read by Remini herself, I believe resulted in a lower rating. Ordinarily, I find audiobooks read by authors from the performing arts to be more entertaining, but that assessment must have been the result of listening to people with pleasant speaking voices. Ms. Remini is a New Jersey-born character actress, who has formed a career portraying women like herself - nasal, whiney, flip - and she is excellent at what she does as a performer. While it is only fitting that Remini should read her own memoir, it takes a certain amount of stamina to listen to hour upon hour of her inflection and speaking style, some of which utilizes less than laudable "techniques". I'm unsure if any training has gone into the manner in which she delivers the spoken word. She's a comedienne and has clever comic timing, but that's all she can truly boast, except for surviving the ordeal of Scientology and the break that has liberated her from that fundamentalist organization.
I've always had a fascination for theology and religious studies but even if that wasn't the case, I would still recommend this book. If you listen to it on audiobook (which I highly recommend as Leah Remini narrates it herself), it will feel as though you are getting an inside look into the hidden world of scientology. Like a conversation with a friend over a cup of coffee. While Leah definitely gets annoying at times, her story is raw and captivating.
Fascinating
Scientology is one of those things that I've been weirdly interested in for whatever reason. When "Going Clear" came out, I wanted to know more. This book gave me the peek behind the curtain that I wanted, along with a little celeb gossip which I also appreciated.
Scientology is one of those things that I've been weirdly interested in for whatever reason. When "Going Clear" came out, I wanted to know more. This book gave me the peek behind the curtain that I wanted, along with a little celeb gossip which I also appreciated.
i’ve always been fascinated with scientology and really liked her documentary. and she somehow made this a really funny read.
Riveting!! Learned so much about Scientology!! Glad she made it out!
The whole thing was so bonkers. I listened to the audio and Leah's delivery is hilarious and I love her.
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
informative
fast-paced
I know a lot came out about Scientology after she left the church but I tend to stay away from that kind of stuff normally. So I didn’t know a lot of the things she talked about in her book.
Every time I hear about a group like Scientology I am shocked by how many intelligent people are sucked into their grips. But then you listen to the things these people are told and a part of me can understand why they cling to it. Especially someone like Remini who was indoctrinated at such a young age.
It warms my heart hearing all the people who stood behind her after she left.
Also I just need to mention what a piece of sh*t Tom Cruise is after all this. I always knew he was nutty but I didn’t realize how horrible of a person he was until listening to this.
Every time I hear about a group like Scientology I am shocked by how many intelligent people are sucked into their grips. But then you listen to the things these people are told and a part of me can understand why they cling to it. Especially someone like Remini who was indoctrinated at such a young age.
It warms my heart hearing all the people who stood behind her after she left.
Also I just need to mention what a piece of sh*t Tom Cruise is after all this. I always knew he was nutty but I didn’t realize how horrible of a person he was until listening to this.