Going Clear

Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief

By Lawrence Wright | Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

About the book

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD AND NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST •  From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Looming Tower comes “an utterly necessary story” (The Wall Street Journal) that pulls back the curtain on the church of Scientology: one of the most secretive organizations at work today. • The Basis for the HBO Documentary.

Scientology presents itself as a scientific approach to spiritual enlightenment, but its practices have long been shrouded in mystery. Now Lawrence Wright—armed with his investigative talents, years of archival research, and more than two hundred personal interviews with current and former Scientologists—uncovers the inner workings of the church. We meet founder L. Ron Hubbard, the highly imaginative but mentally troubled science-fiction writer, and his tough, driven successor, David Miscavige. We go inside their specialized cosmology and language. We learn about the church’s legal attacks on the IRS, its vindictive treatment of critics, and its phenomenal wealth. We see the church court celebrities such as Tom Cruise while consigning its clergy to hard labor under billion-year contracts. Through it all, Wright asks what fundamentally comprises a religion, and if Scientology in fact merits this Constitutionally-protected label.

Editions of Going Clear

Paperback
ISBN 9780307745309
AltFormat
ISBN 9780307700667
EBook
ISBN 9780385350273
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780385393058
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780385393072
AudioDisc
ISBN 9780385393065
AudioDisc
ISBN 9780385393041

Read an Excerpt

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD AND NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST •  From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Looming Tower comes “an utterly necessary story” (The Wall Street Journal) that pulls back the curtain on the church of Scientology: one of the most secretive organizations at work today. • The Basis for the HBO Documentary.

Scientology presents itself as a scientific approach to spiritual enlightenment, but its practices have long been shrouded in mystery. Now Lawrence Wright—armed with his investigative talents, years of archival research, and more than two hundred personal interviews with current and former Scientologists—uncovers the inner workings of the church. We meet founder L. Ron Hubbard, the highly imaginative but mentally troubled science-fiction writer, and his tough, driven successor, David Miscavige. We go inside their specialized cosmology and language. We learn about the church’s legal attacks on the IRS, its vindictive treatment of critics, and its phenomenal wealth. We see the church court celebrities such as Tom Cruise while consigning its clergy to hard labor under billion-year contracts. Through it all, Wright asks what fundamentally comprises a religion, and if Scientology in fact merits this Constitutionally-protected label.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Going Clear about?

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • NATIONAL BOOK AWARD AND NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST •  From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Looming Tower comes “an utterly necessary story” (The Wall Street Journal) that pulls back the curtain on the church of Scientology: one of the most secretive organizations at work today. • The Basis for the HBO Documentary.

Scientology presents itself as a scientific approach to spiritual enlightenment, but its practices have long been shrouded in mystery. Now Lawrence Wright—armed with his investigative talents, years of archival research, and more than two hundred personal interviews with current and former Scientologists—uncovers the inner workings of the church. We meet founder L. Ron Hubbard, the highly imaginative but mentally troubled science-fiction writer, and his tough, driven successor, David Miscavige. We go inside their specialized cosmology and language. We learn about the church’s legal attacks on the IRS, its vindictive treatment of critics, and its phenomenal wealth. We see the church court celebrities such as Tom Cruise while consigning its clergy to hard labor under billion-year contracts. Through it all, Wright asks what fundamentally comprises a religion, and if Scientology in fact merits this Constitutionally-protected label.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Going Clear?

Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Alternative belief systems and spiritual worldviews > Contemporary non-Christian and para-Christian cults and sects

Where can I read a sample of Going Clear?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780307745309

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Going Clear?

Lawrence Wright

Who is the Publisher of the book Going Clear?

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Going Clear is available as paperback(ISBN 9780307745309) and altformat(ISBN 9780307700667) and ebook(ISBN 9780385350273) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780385393058) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780385393072) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780385393065) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780385393041)

Where can I buy Going Clear online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy Going Clear?