Scan barcode
A review by erz02006
A Billion Years: My Escape From a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology by Mike Rinder
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, Kidnapping, and Stalking