Blown for Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology

By Marc Headley

Blown for Good: Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology - Marc Headley
  • Release Date: 2010-08-13
  • Genre: Religion & Spirituality
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 110 Ratings

Description

Nominated by Foreword Magazine as 2009 Book of the Year Award Finalist. Marc Headley provides a rare, never before seen insider's look at life inside Scientology. He spent 15 years employed at their secret headquarters, the sprawling 500 acre property located deep in the California desert. The local townspeople were told that Scientology lectures and films were being made there. But is that all that is happening there? It is the location of a multi-million dollar home for L. Ron Hubbard, built two decades after his controversial death. It is the home of Scientology's current leader, David Miscavige. Rumor has it that high ranking Scientology celebrities such as Tom Cruise have been there. So what really happens at the Int Base? Are the stories on the internet true? How does Scientology conduct management of its day to day operations? Reports from former members have shown up here and there over the past 20 years. Could stories of armed guards, weapons, staff beatings, and razor wire fences surrounding the entire property be true? If so, how could a facility like this exist in modern day America? Hundreds of staff had made attempts to escape over the years. Some had succeeded but had never been seen or heard of again, but most had failed. Marc knew it would not be easy getting out of the Scientology compound. Why were people kept here? Why did more people not attempt to escape over the years? What was it that went on at the International headquarters of Scientology? This is the story of what happened behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology.

Reviews

  • Blown for Good

    5
    By Tootsla
    Two words: Page Turner! Could not put it down. Every Scientology story is unique - and horrific. Just when I was convinced I had heard it all, I saw Claire's recent interview on YouTube, and knew I had to read her husband's book. This story should be a movie.
  • Couldn't put it down!!!

    5
    By Kimapache
    What a gripping, page turning, unbelievably intense series of events to read about. Loved every page of this book! Thank you for speaking out!!
  • Slow and go.....

    4
    By 1chicagokid
    Loved this tell all book. Pretty slow in the first 3/4 of the book, but a real pay-off at the end. It truly tells the story of the victims, the deranged cult life and the psychotic "Pope of Scientology". Good luck to you and Claire and to those who are still imprisoned.
  • Blown For Good

    5
    By Carol Altman
    Living just north of Clearwater, we never knew what is was about. I couldn't put the book down. You are very brave and thank you for the enlightment on Scientology. I don't understand how they get tax exempt, or called a religion, and can keep people trapped there and separated from their families. To me it sounds like a dangerous CULT that break child labor laws, keep them from school and take their families away! How does this horrible situation go on in 2012 America?? Is anyone paying attention?? Thank you from a Palm Harbor resident. I will continue to follow this story.
  • Blown for Good

    5
    By Pixie Wren
    A fantastic read. I came to this book due to my train-wreck watching curiosity for Scientology. What I found is a heart wrenching real-life adventure, with a courageous hero. Thoughtful, funny, smart and human-scale tale. Thank you Marc for putting it to paper and sharing the first chapter of your life with so many.
  • Interesting & explorative!

    4
    By snillies
    If you're curious about the church of Scientology this is a good read. Some things got confusing as I'm not fluent in Scientology terms. Might need another run through the editing department. But other than that this was a interesting book. I'm hoping that the fact that this book sounds like fiction that people don't realize that this is fact and is a subculture that is flawed. Ridiculously rich and super flawed. Sounds familiar.
  • Awesome

    5
    By Me11/::cvfgnbcctdru
    This has all the suspense and drama of HollyWood fiction, but unfortunately, it is the actual recollection of a prisoner of Scientology. I wish all watchdog, law enforcement and "famous" scientologists would read this. Scientology is a scam, a cult, hosts prison camps and continually comments crimes against humanity. The united states has gone to war with other countries when learning of such cruelty to humans, yet our own land is host to such atrocities to our own citizens.
  • A very important work

    4
    By mjbishop
    This is a very important document of what goes on behind the scenes at Scientology. Not only does it show the horrors, but it shows the funny dysfunction. After reading it, I have more compassion for those still in Scientology and am hoping that more and more people will blow.
  • Oh My...

    5
    By GABRIEL TREVINO
    Just a short note. Marc does a great job describing what he went through....making you feel (way) better about your own life as a result. Too often in this book, I found myself saying, "How could this happen here now?" Ironically, I am a HUGE fan of both Depeche Mode and The John & Ken Show (KFI 640 AM, Los Angeles), so I personally found the ending particularly satisfying. I've also been on the Gold Int (Golden Era Productions) campus incidentally to do work there recently. And now that I've read this book, I am freaked out that I was ever there. Regardless, A GREAT READ. BUY THIS BOOK!!!
  • Amazing

    5
    By Pink-fish
    I couldn't put this book down. I am still wrapping my head around all that these people have been through.