Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief
by Lawrence Wright
Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief by Lawrence Wright holds a highly rated rating of 4.02 out of 5, based on 26.1K reader ratings. First published in 2013. The book spans 430 pages.
About Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief
A clear-sighted revelation, a deep penetration into the world of Scientology by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the now-classic study of al-Qaeda's 9/11 attack, the Looming Tower. Based on more than two hundred personal interviews with both current and former Scientologists--both famous and less well known--and years of archival research, Lawrence Wright uses his extraordinary investigative skills to uncover for us the inner workings of the Church of Scientology: its origins in the imagination of science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard; its struggles to find acceptance as a legitimate (and legally acknowledged) religion; its vast, secret campaign to infiltrate the U.S. government; and its dramatic efforts to grow and prevail after the death of Hubbard.At the book's center, two men whom Wright brings vividly to life, showing how they have made Scientology what it is today: The darkly brilliant L. Ron Hubbard--whose restless, expansive mind invented a new religion tailor-made to prosper in the spiritually troubled post-World War II era. And his successor, David Miscavige--tough and driven, with the unenviable task of preserving the church in the face of ongoing scandals and continual legal assaults.We learn about Scientology's esoteric cosmology; about the auditing process that determines an inductee's state of being; about the Bridge to Total Freedom, through which members gain eternal life. We see the ways in which the church pursues celebrities, such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta, and how young idealists who joined the Sea Org, the church's clergy, whose members often enter as children, signing up with a billion-year contract and working with little pay in poor conditions. We meet men and women "disconnected" from friends and family by the church's policy of shunning critical voices. And we discover, through many firsthand stories, the violence that has long permeated the inner sanctum of the church.In Going Clear, Wright examines what fundamentally makes a religion a religion, and whether Scientology is, in fact, deserving of the constitutional protections achieved in its victory over the IRS. Employing all his exceptional journalistic skills of observations, understanding, and synthesis, and his ability to shape a story into a compelling narrative, Lawrence Wright has given us an evenhanded yet keenly incisive book that goes far beyond an immediate exposé and uncovers the very essence of what makes Scientology the institution it is.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Lawrence Wright |
| Published | 2013 |
| Pages | 430 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, History, Biography & Memoir, Psychology |
| Average Rating | 4.02 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 26,117 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief?
Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief is categorized as Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, History, Biography & Memoir. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief worth reading?
Based on 26.1K reader ratings, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief has an average score of 4.02 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief?
Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief has 430 pages.
Who wrote Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief?
Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief was written by Lawrence Wright. It was first published in 2013.
What is the ISBN for Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief?
The ISBN-13 for Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief is 9780307700670.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
