Reviews tagging 'Torture'

A Billion Years: My Escape From A Life In The Highest Ranks of Scientology by Mike Rinder

9 reviews

dmalexander's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Grief, Stalking, and Abandonment

Moderate: Death of parent

jacbradley's review against another edition

dark informative tense fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Torture

lwarburton's review against another edition

challenging dark informative medium-paced

4.5

Not having known much about Scientology prior to reading I found this book very interesting. An author who is able to not just cover his story but put it in context as someone who experienced the breadth of the sea org was worth the read. A little slow going at first but worth it by the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Torture, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Child death

erz02006's review against another edition

challenging dark informative slow-paced

3.0

TLDR: educational but not entertaining.

I was expecting this to be a memoir but it read more like a history of Scientology told from the perspective of a former member. While many of the events were things that the author witnessed or impacted him directly they were usually discussed in a factual and unemotional way (which may be the result of Scientology hammering out any emotions in him.) There were many names and Scientology terms thrown out that were hard to keep track of and not much in the way of an actual story.

So if you’re looking for an entertaining or enthralling read I wouldn’t recommend. However, if you’re looking to gain a deeper understanding into Scientology and their many, many abuses and scandals this book will give you more than enough content. It was very eyeopening.

Also, I randomly decided to read Jenna Miscavige Hill’s memoir at the same time and that was a very interesting comparison. I didn’t realize that they were close family friends and their books frequently mention the other and their immediate family (Jenna actually spent more time with Mike’s kids than Mike did.) It’s also interesting to hear the same events told from the perspective of a high ranking, middle aged Sea Org member and a young girl and see how their interpretations differed.

Despite not finding this to be a very fun read, I commend Mike Rinder on exposing the Church of Scientology even though it has come at his own expense.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Kidnapping, and Stalking

iirenity's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Child abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, and Murder

Minor: Death of parent

growintogardens's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Abortion

sarahspencerknits's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative tense medium-paced

4.75

This was an incredible read. Challenging throughout as my uncle was in scientology for my life. I remember when he tried to leave on several occasions and was always brought back by members who would show up at my grandma's house. Hard to read something from someone who was so high up in the organization knowing he probably was treated so much better than my family member. Left hopeful that people, nomatter how blinded by a cult, can change.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement

Minor: Torture and Toxic relationship

tarajoy90's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Torture, and Violence

theonlybaillie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Sexual content, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Trafficking