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L. Ron Hubbard: Messiah or Madman?
An in-depth biography that tells the no holds barred story of Hubbard the scam artist and his Church of Scientology.
402 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 24, 2012
When I wrote my initial review of this book as well as some of the other Scientology texts (The Basics), I was pretty deep into Scientology and all of the "data" and fanciful stories they told about L. Ron Hubbard. Now that I am no longer associated with Scientology and have done research on my own about the REAL life of LRH, I can tell you that this book is about as reliable as it gets. Along with "Bare-faced Messiah" you will learn the truth about Scientology's founder and just what is is like for those who are caught in the Scientology web.
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August 5, 2018Not going to give it a rating. just wanted to say that there are a LOT of informations in this book about $cientology ; it clearly highlights the founder's real personality -- however, I dont understand why the chapters/stories/testimonies are not in chronological order ?? it's a bit weird, but oh well.
July 17, 2008
I thought this book (co-written by L. Ron's son!) really exposes Scientology for much of what it is. Then, there is the tale of L. Ron raping a young woman with his flaccid penis...yeah, you read that correctly. According to the accounts in this book, L. Ron was a demon among men. I do not consider every account in this book as fact, but I can't imagine that NONE of it is true. Even if a small percentage of the information is correct, then Scientology is SCARY! This book details the history of this "organization" and how they tend to psychologically deconstruct folks in a fashion that resembles the military...or a prison...or a military prison. After reading this, if a friend or family member of mine was ever considering joining this organization I would give them a copy of this book.
September 13, 2020
One of the quintessential works on Scientology. Hubbard is a complex character who spent his life being a swindler while simultaneously believing deeply in his bogus creation. Corydon's book is an important voice in putting together the complicated history of how the Church of Scientology came to be.
June 29, 2018
Very interesting.
April 24, 2024
Anyone who wants to learn about the destructive, criminal cult of scientology should read this book. It is so good, and I have learned so much from it, that i am reading it over again right away.
I'll try to come back and edit this with more detail after I finish reading it for the second time.
Okay. I just finished the book for the second time and could not recommend it more for anyone interested in not just the history of scientology, but so much of the influences that LRH drew from as he wrote it. It's also a huge indictment of the man, well deserved; he was cruel, greedy, and sociopathic. His "religion" is too.
There is so much in this book I really had to read it twice and if I live long enough, I feel sure I will read it a third time. Who knew about "The Brainwashing Manual"?
Corydon was a dedicated scientologist for years, who with his wife built up a mission that was ultimately destroyed around the time of Hubbard's death. Corydon maintains that Hubbard directed his henchmen, led by current all powerful leader David Miscavige, to destroy the missions, which were a vital pipeline to the advanced orgs. The extra- if not illegal methods taken to destroy these missions and impoverish the people who ran them is a story that defies belief. But so much of scientology does.
For people like myself who never joined a cult (the closest I've ever been was one year spent in an abusive romantic relationship), the shocking facts around the history and even the present day goings on of this destructive cult make it hard to understand why anyone would ever allow themselves to be sucked into it. Corydon explains it in this book as well as anyone I've heard from yet. (Disclaimer: this refers to people of age who voluntarily joined, not later generations who were essentially forced into it) The analogy of boiling frogs is truly apt in the case of this cult.
Do read this book, if you're interested in scientology it is required.
I'll try to come back and edit this with more detail after I finish reading it for the second time.
Okay. I just finished the book for the second time and could not recommend it more for anyone interested in not just the history of scientology, but so much of the influences that LRH drew from as he wrote it. It's also a huge indictment of the man, well deserved; he was cruel, greedy, and sociopathic. His "religion" is too.
There is so much in this book I really had to read it twice and if I live long enough, I feel sure I will read it a third time. Who knew about "The Brainwashing Manual"?
Corydon was a dedicated scientologist for years, who with his wife built up a mission that was ultimately destroyed around the time of Hubbard's death. Corydon maintains that Hubbard directed his henchmen, led by current all powerful leader David Miscavige, to destroy the missions, which were a vital pipeline to the advanced orgs. The extra- if not illegal methods taken to destroy these missions and impoverish the people who ran them is a story that defies belief. But so much of scientology does.
For people like myself who never joined a cult (the closest I've ever been was one year spent in an abusive romantic relationship), the shocking facts around the history and even the present day goings on of this destructive cult make it hard to understand why anyone would ever allow themselves to be sucked into it. Corydon explains it in this book as well as anyone I've heard from yet. (Disclaimer: this refers to people of age who voluntarily joined, not later generations who were essentially forced into it) The analogy of boiling frogs is truly apt in the case of this cult.
Do read this book, if you're interested in scientology it is required.
July 20, 2012
I've never knowingly met a Scientologist, but I have known the daughter of one of the principals of this book, a close associate of Hubbard's during the Dianetics period and early days of Scientology. Her recollections of the stories told her by her father were a factor in my purchasing this book at the Hayward, Wisconsin Public Library.
Although I'd probably heard of L. Ron Hubbard early on front various print media, my first distinct recollection of him as something more than just a science fiction writer occurred during adolescence. I'd picked up some old pulp magazines for reading in Michigan. One of them, probably a copy of Astounding, had on its back cover the usual advertisement for the Science Fiction Book Club. What was unusual was that it highlighted Hubbard's Dianetics, not the usual fictional fare.
This uneven book, while flawed in many ways, has tied these, and other, impressions of Hubbard and his various organizations together, confirming the general accuracy of my friend's recollections and explaining the appearance of what amounts to a book of popular psychology in a list of fictional titles. But this is almost accidental, this book being neither a thorough biography of Hubbard nor a comprehensive history of the movement he headed.
Although authorship is ascribed to two former Scientologists, Corydon and Hubbard Jr., the primary writer was Corydon, Hubbard's son being cited relatively few times. Given litigation against the project by the Church, however, it is quite possible that Junior's contributions were greater than they appear to be. Indeed, it is often difficult to discern who wrote what, the book being filled with long excerpts from a wide variety of sources, few of them referenced adequately. Whatever the case, the result is a very uneven text of questionable value except as perhaps suggesting avenues for more serious research.
Still, it was, much of it, a fun read. L. Ron Hubbard was an outrageous person, the movement around him almost unbelievable, his organizations and their ideology pathetic monuments of human self-deception. Although I take most of it with a grain of salt, it has made me want to read more about both the man and his pseudo-religion.
Although I'd probably heard of L. Ron Hubbard early on front various print media, my first distinct recollection of him as something more than just a science fiction writer occurred during adolescence. I'd picked up some old pulp magazines for reading in Michigan. One of them, probably a copy of Astounding, had on its back cover the usual advertisement for the Science Fiction Book Club. What was unusual was that it highlighted Hubbard's Dianetics, not the usual fictional fare.
This uneven book, while flawed in many ways, has tied these, and other, impressions of Hubbard and his various organizations together, confirming the general accuracy of my friend's recollections and explaining the appearance of what amounts to a book of popular psychology in a list of fictional titles. But this is almost accidental, this book being neither a thorough biography of Hubbard nor a comprehensive history of the movement he headed.
Although authorship is ascribed to two former Scientologists, Corydon and Hubbard Jr., the primary writer was Corydon, Hubbard's son being cited relatively few times. Given litigation against the project by the Church, however, it is quite possible that Junior's contributions were greater than they appear to be. Indeed, it is often difficult to discern who wrote what, the book being filled with long excerpts from a wide variety of sources, few of them referenced adequately. Whatever the case, the result is a very uneven text of questionable value except as perhaps suggesting avenues for more serious research.
Still, it was, much of it, a fun read. L. Ron Hubbard was an outrageous person, the movement around him almost unbelievable, his organizations and their ideology pathetic monuments of human self-deception. Although I take most of it with a grain of salt, it has made me want to read more about both the man and his pseudo-religion.
February 10, 2011
The first half of this book and the second half should have been flip flopped. While it would not be in chronological order, it would have helped explain the basic ideas and development of Scientology as LRH slowly slipped deeper into madness. Always designed as a cult to generate power and wealth to L.Ron, it becomes clear that things get worse and worse as more people start believing. The philosophical underpinnings in basic Jack Parsons satanic science fiction pulp technology, the will to sex of the OTO/Crowleyists, and a sad hodge podge of the emerging self-help rhetoric are basically hobbled together in Scientology. The first part of the book recounts all the gossip and misconduct of the upper ranks of the cult against the lowly franchise holders/believers. Pretty standard work place grumblings, with nothing too interesting or revelatory - in part because it is hard for the ousted to have a clarity of hindsight. Corydon still thinks Scientology worked when done correctly and for that the book suffers through lingering adoration and true belief. Sad, really.
March 15, 2020
Adding this to the best biographies, because there are no other options on LRH. The story is amazing, because he got to know Jack Parsons, "stole" his young wife, they created a sect, which got bankrupt, then he started a religion and earned billions, and a lot of totally crazy shit along the way: like terrorizing IRS agents so successfully, they gave up on church's taxes, like trying to buy a country in Africa, etc.
Jack is important here, because he participated in Aleister Crowley meetings and practiced "love under will", "do what thou wilt" in order to get to the Moon, and introduced LRH to Crowley's teachings. Strange Angel tries to depict this story pretty well.
Put another way, Scientology's texts are just Crowley's continuation in a more formal form without any "magick" coding from Thelema.
The entire story, in reality, is about creativity, - LRH was crazy with his ability to stamp books and ideas, - and will. Simply amazing.
Jack is important here, because he participated in Aleister Crowley meetings and practiced "love under will", "do what thou wilt" in order to get to the Moon, and introduced LRH to Crowley's teachings. Strange Angel tries to depict this story pretty well.
Put another way, Scientology's texts are just Crowley's continuation in a more formal form without any "magick" coding from Thelema.
The entire story, in reality, is about creativity, - LRH was crazy with his ability to stamp books and ideas, - and will. Simply amazing.
April 11, 2016
Interesting because the author was in some meetings (like the shakedown of the franchise owners) that I had only heard second or third hand about. When he starts getting into comparing general semantics to what hubbard ripped off I skipped over most of that. This books provides a very interesting and important perspective on events and people that have not gotten the light of day yet.
August 31, 2008
Bent Corydon was privy to information on Scientology as LRH's right hand man. Hubbard states the greatest influence would be in, "ruling Hollywood, to do so would rule the world. Alcohol, drug induced madman, LRH, a good read.
February 20, 2012
An excellent expose' of the Scientology cult. However, the book itself lacked structure. I felt like I was taking a trip without benefit of a road map. I never really knew where I was in the grand scheme of things...
February 12, 2013
Great read especially if you enjoy a great giggle. How so many people have fallen for this load of crap is beyond me. But it is a very interesting book about a fascinating con man and the making of a religion.
July 13, 2008
If you'd like to know just how creepy, wicked and deranged L.Ron Hubbard was, or how messed-up Scientology is, this is the book for you! A real horror show.
March 9, 2011
Boring. Poorly written. I have read reviews and most say it gets better midway through but I cannot hold on that long.
January 26, 2013
Madman. Definitely madman. LOL :)
June 5, 2014
Informative, but not very well written and is disjointed. Bare Faced Messiah by Russell Miller is a better read, and a good introduction to the history of Scientology.
December 30, 2014
I think they ultimately come down closer to the "Madman" side of the equation.
May 10, 2015
Deeply disturbing.
March 31, 2012
Inside Scientology by Reitman is more up to date.
December 31, 2014
Not great writing but fascinating material
December 25, 2015
He was a man gone mad due to a Messiah complex.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews