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joan_anne's review
3.0
I knew of Mike via his work with Leah and knowing his personal journey…whoa. I’m proud of him for pursuing his truth and living authentically…and I don’t even know him.
vanlaw's review
3.0
An interesting read, especially to learn more about the cult. I felt at points it dragged on a bit - but definitely still a book I’d recommend for anyone interested in diving deeper into this world’s inane practices.
sonofali's review
4.0
Good if you're binging Scientology books, not the most captivating cult book though. For a more engaging account from someone in the inner circle, I liked Beyond Belief.
jansbookcorner's review
4.0
This was an impulse pick up from my library. I had watched the show that Mr. Rinder did with Leah Remini a few years ago so this caught my eye. This is an interesting book. It fills in a few things that weren't covered on the show. There are still a lot of things I don't understand about Scientology, but I don't think I ever will.
suppyguppy's review
4.0
Not only is A Billion Years a fascinating personal memoir, but also an invaluable historical document. It recounts Mike Rinder's life, deep within the ranks of Scientology, and documents decades of unpunished wrongdoings, scandals and abuses by the organization that might otherwise be lost to time. Mike Rinder's extensive knowledge of Scientology and its inner workings is rare and I am glad that he has shared it with the world despite Scientology's best efforts to keep it all secret.
The book opens with a letter to Rinder's adult children, which shares that the purpose of the book is to leave his life's story for his children to find should they ever choose to leave Scientology and wish to know more about him, even if that does not happen in his lifetime. I found this purpose to be very noble and it immediately appealed to my emotions. I felt sorry for this man who had missed out on being a father to his children, surrendering them to Scientology, only to realize too late in their indoctrination that it was wrong. I felt the sorrow, the guilt, and the hope he must feel, and was invested in his story right away.
I feel bad saying anything negative about the book at all, because what the author went through for the majority of his life was extremely sad. However, the first half or so of the book after that opening letter is a bit dry, matter-of-fact and emotionally detached. This is the main reason that I gave the book four stars instead of five. Rather than putting you in a given moment, painting a picture, or telling a story, much of the book is "this happened, and then this happened, and then this happened" fired in rapid succession. For most subject matters this would be excruciatingly boring, but because Rinder's life experiences are so unique and provide insight into the inner workings of a highly secretive organization, the content still remains fairly interesting despite its dry delivery.
As the book goes on there are more and more parts where Rinder does reflect on what he's recounting and talk about his feelings or delve into specific anecdotes. These moments were appreciated whenever they happened. The writing gets more narrative and personal as the memories become more recent, and as he escapes the emotional suppression of Scientology.
Overall, this is a great read that will expose readers to an unimaginable way of life and act as a precautionary tale to anyone who may have been tempted to involve themselves with Scientology or allow their loved ones to become involved with it. It also can help the general public understand how Scientology entraps its victims, which will hopefully lead to more compassion and less blame towards those who escape. It was a great read that had me reflecting on the importance of free will and how lucky I am to have the freedom to do things as simple as watch TV, take a long shower, go wherever I please and speak with loved ones. I feel more appreciative of the little things now and I'm so glad that Rinder is able to enjoy these little freedoms now too.
The book opens with a letter to Rinder's adult children, which shares that the purpose of the book is to leave his life's story for his children to find should they ever choose to leave Scientology and wish to know more about him, even if that does not happen in his lifetime. I found this purpose to be very noble and it immediately appealed to my emotions. I felt sorry for this man who had missed out on being a father to his children, surrendering them to Scientology, only to realize too late in their indoctrination that it was wrong. I felt the sorrow, the guilt, and the hope he must feel, and was invested in his story right away.
I feel bad saying anything negative about the book at all, because what the author went through for the majority of his life was extremely sad. However, the first half or so of the book after that opening letter is a bit dry, matter-of-fact and emotionally detached. This is the main reason that I gave the book four stars instead of five. Rather than putting you in a given moment, painting a picture, or telling a story, much of the book is "this happened, and then this happened, and then this happened" fired in rapid succession. For most subject matters this would be excruciatingly boring, but because Rinder's life experiences are so unique and provide insight into the inner workings of a highly secretive organization, the content still remains fairly interesting despite its dry delivery.
As the book goes on there are more and more parts where Rinder does reflect on what he's recounting and talk about his feelings or delve into specific anecdotes. These moments were appreciated whenever they happened. The writing gets more narrative and personal as the memories become more recent, and as he escapes the emotional suppression of Scientology.
Overall, this is a great read that will expose readers to an unimaginable way of life and act as a precautionary tale to anyone who may have been tempted to involve themselves with Scientology or allow their loved ones to become involved with it. It also can help the general public understand how Scientology entraps its victims, which will hopefully lead to more compassion and less blame towards those who escape. It was a great read that had me reflecting on the importance of free will and how lucky I am to have the freedom to do things as simple as watch TV, take a long shower, go wherever I please and speak with loved ones. I feel more appreciative of the little things now and I'm so glad that Rinder is able to enjoy these little freedoms now too.
badseedgirl's review against another edition
5.0
I watched and then read [b:Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief|16142053|Going Clear Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief|Lawrence Wright|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1358119149l/16142053._SX50_.jpg|21973918] and saw "Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath." That might be the problem with this book. Most of the things in it are covered by those already. Mike Ridner's early life in scientology was interesting and mostly new, but most of this was handled in the series and in the previous book.
I was originally going to give this book 3 stars. It was a good book, but did not really provide me with any new details. But then I saw this book: [bc:A Billion Lies: The Highest Ranks of the Church of Scientology Couldn't Throw Him Out Fast Enough|62810514|A Billion Lies The Highest Ranks of the Church of Scientology Couldn't Throw Him Out Fast Enough|Ryan Prescott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664317168l/62810514._SY75_.jpg|98575645]
If you look at the reviews, it is (allegedly) obvious that (allegedly) someone in Scientology in October 2022 (allegedly) said,(allegedly) create a goodreads account, (allegedly) review Mike Ridner's book with one star and then (allegedly) review Our book about him with 5 stars. (allegedly) Anyone who read Mr. Ridner's book is going to see the "Fair Game" at play here.*
I hate bullies. That's not alleged, that is fact. I'm giving this book five stars because, again, I hate bullies!
*I don't want to be sued by any religious organization so I liberally used allegedly in this review.
I was originally going to give this book 3 stars. It was a good book, but did not really provide me with any new details. But then I saw this book: [bc:A Billion Lies: The Highest Ranks of the Church of Scientology Couldn't Throw Him Out Fast Enough|62810514|A Billion Lies The Highest Ranks of the Church of Scientology Couldn't Throw Him Out Fast Enough|Ryan Prescott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664317168l/62810514._SY75_.jpg|98575645]
If you look at the reviews, it is (allegedly) obvious that (allegedly) someone in Scientology in October 2022 (allegedly) said,(allegedly) create a goodreads account, (allegedly) review Mike Ridner's book with one star and then (allegedly) review Our book about him with 5 stars. (allegedly) Anyone who read Mr. Ridner's book is going to see the "Fair Game" at play here.*
I hate bullies. That's not alleged, that is fact. I'm giving this book five stars because, again, I hate bullies!
*I don't want to be sued by any religious organization so I liberally used allegedly in this review.