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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
3 1/2 stars
Turns out Scientology is just as bizarre, corrupt, and dehumanizing as it seems to be. If someone you know is involved with this cult or showing interest in checking it out, hold their hand and make sure they run with you in the opposite direction. Yikes.
Leah is bravely vulnerable in the sharing of her experiences inside the world of Scientology. And she balances the reporting of Scientology's wrongdoings with very personal examples of her own misplaced loyalty and willful blindness. It works and gives her story credibility.
Her story is incredibly compelling as we learn more and more about the dangerous cult of Scientology and it's odd relationship with Hollywood. But it's also charming (especially when she shared about her early childhood before they moved) and at times laugh out loud funny. She does a great job narrating this on audiobook and I'd recommend that format.
Turns out Scientology is just as bizarre, corrupt, and dehumanizing as it seems to be. If someone you know is involved with this cult or showing interest in checking it out, hold their hand and make sure they run with you in the opposite direction. Yikes.
Leah is bravely vulnerable in the sharing of her experiences inside the world of Scientology. And she balances the reporting of Scientology's wrongdoings with very personal examples of her own misplaced loyalty and willful blindness. It works and gives her story credibility.
Her story is incredibly compelling as we learn more and more about the dangerous cult of Scientology and it's odd relationship with Hollywood. But it's also charming (especially when she shared about her early childhood before they moved) and at times laugh out loud funny. She does a great job narrating this on audiobook and I'd recommend that format.
I listened to the audiobook read by Leah Remini and I love how much of her personality came through. There were a lot of parts where I wished she had gone more in depth, and others where I felt she went too in depth to where it was almost confusing. One thing I really wished she had done (which may be in the physical copies) is put some sort of information for resources for anyone who wants to or has left Scientology. Overall it was an interesting topic/ perspective to hear about. 3.5 stars
I'm pretty shocked at just how much I enjoyed this book. Interesting, disturbing, and funny.
Although this book doesn’t go into the beliefs of Scientology, it’s interesting to hear how Remini’s life went. The shunning, the time consumed, making sure your friends are only in the church makes it clear that Scientology is a cult. I feel bad for those who gave so much money and lost everything. Remini was lucky to have friends outside of it.
I still want to find a book that talks about the beliefs of Scientology.
I still want to find a book that talks about the beliefs of Scientology.
It’s literally insane what she went through. This was the first book I read about Scientology, and it was extremely eye opening.
A fascinating read about the inner workings of Scientology. I’ve always loved Leah Remini and respect and admire her even more now.
Remini does a good job detailing her story, before, during, and after her association with Scientology. I found it interesting and enjoyed that reading it felt like you were just sitting around talking with her. At times, I wondered if she was as altruistic as she purported, only being persecuted at the end because she dared to ask about Mascivage's wife, but it does seem likely, given her details. And I'll admit - her talk of Scientology's stalking of those who go against them makes me just a tiny bit paranoid to post this review! Lol. All in all, an interesting perspective of her life.
I haven't watched any of [a: Leah Remini|6318261|Leah Remini|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1447774372p2/6318261.jpg]'s work since Saved by the Bell, but I was eager to read her memoir after she left the Church of Scientology. Not knowing much about the author, I partially expected this book to be a vindictive account of wrongs she suffered in the church, padded by a mother lode of gossip about big name Scienos. Instead, I was surprised to find that Leah's story is that of a smart and spunky woman, fiercely loyal to friends and family alike, who was brave enough to take on the hypocrisy and corruption she witnessed in the upper echelon of the notoriously litigious and combative organization--even after being subjected to its brainwashing for most of her life. While she was not successful in bringing about the positive changes she sought, she ultimately won by leaving the church and finding strength in herself, her family, and the truth. Of course, there are chapters that deal with the question on everyone's minds--is Tom Cruise really an unhinged manchild?--and there are many familiar names throughout the book. But the point of this book is not to be a salacious tell-all; rather, it is a call-to-arms to anyone who thinks for his-or-herself to always stand up for the right thing.
I enjoyed listening to Leah's first hand account of her time in Scientology and her journey out of it. This book does have a lot of language, so it's not something I would normally read. However, her perspective and honesty is refreshing.
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced