Beyond Belief

My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape

By: Jenna Miscavige Hill

Narrated by: Sandy Rustin

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Non-Fiction, 2014

Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige, was raised as a Scientologist but left the controversial religion in 2005. In Beyond Belief, she shares her true story of life inside the upper ranks of the sect, details her experiences as a member Sea Org - the church's highest ministry - speaks of her "disconnection" from family outside of the organization, and tells the story of her ultimate escape.

In this tell-all memoir, Jenna Miscavige Hill, a prominent critic of Scientology who now helps others leave the organization, offers an insider's profile of the beliefs, rituals, and secrets of the religion that has captured the fascination of millions, including some of Hollywood's brightest stars such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

©2013 Jenna Miscavige Hill (P)2013 HarperCollinsPublishers

An amazing look inside Scientology

I really enjoyed this book, but I have to say that I didn't find Jenna to be a likable person which makes it even more real. There were times where her descriptions made her sound flat out crazy to me. I guess living in a different reality then everyone else can do that to you. I'm very glad she wrote the book and that I could learn from her experience.

The book feels like it's being written for children because of the tone it sets. I think it might have something to do with Jenna's limited education. That being said it was still entertaining and well performed.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with ears.

Beyond Belief is right

Would you listen to Beyond Belief again? Why?

Not sure I could listen to this book again. It was a great book but realizing how Jenna was robbed of a childhood along with the other children is heartbreaking. I didn't know much about Scientology before and wow...I know more than I want to now. No wonder Katie Holmes took off like she did!

What other book might you compare Beyond Belief to and why?

This was a great book and a must read.

What does Sandy Rustin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narration was great.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Beyond Belief would be a good title.

Engrossing and Disturbing

I listened Trouble Maker by Leah Remini a while ago and decided to listen to this one now. The writer definitely takes you on a journey. I literally found myself for once understanding how her thinking was molded and how she could become trapped seeing no other way of life. I get it now, especially for children raised in this manner. The scary thing, is this can happen to anyone - literally anyone can become part of any organization and over time become trapped as well.

The narrator is particularly perfect for this book.

I listened to the book very quickly, as I couldn't put it down but in a way, I'm glad that's it's over with because it's just so very disturbing and I needed a break from the darkness.

I think everyone should read books like this....everyone, adults as well as young adults (with their parents' supervision) so that we can all understand how people do get sucked into organizations and beliefs that slowly take over.

A Must Read/Listen!

Heartbreaking story, wonderful narration and time content come together to provide a personal, inside view of a troubling cult. Thank you Jenna for your courage in writing this

What were her parents thinking?

If you could sum up Beyond Belief in three words, what would they be?

Disturbing, difficult, real.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jenna and her brother

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it was too hard to do so.

Any additional comments?

Well-written and insightful. Shows that free thought can win and it is a testament to how intelligent Jenna is.

I know this is critical. I admit that. But I was left infuriated and wondering what her parents were thinking. They abandoned their children. They didn't seem interested in raising them. I understand they thought, on one hand, it was "for the greater good," but these were their children. I know this probably reveals a great deal about me (and my thoughts on my own childhood), but wow. Just wow. I had to stop listening several times out of flat-out rage.

What is David Miscavige (and his anti-child antics) thinking? As this story shows, a basic "truth" about religion is having and raising children in the church is easier to sustain membership than recruitment and fear. Strange, strange, strange "religion."

Eye opening

Loved it! Never heard events from a childs perspective. It's hard to believe this kind of stuff was allowed to go on.

Terrifying and totally believable

This story was very easy to enjoy, despite the disturbing content. I can honestly say Jenna is a hero for speaking her story and her truth to the world. Scientology is evil, period.

Harrowing

This made Scientology real, and while that’s not a good thing, we are warned. A good listen for the family for the purpose of enlightenment.

No huge surprises, but a solid read

Lots of stories about the organization have emerged the last few years so nothing Earth shattering in this story, however interesting enough to keep me listening. It certainly reinforces the fact that whomever follows this so-called church is completely brainwashed. Its one thing when people make that decision for themselves but when it becomes abusive and criminally suppressive for members, it needs to be stopped. I continue to wonder how long authorities will allow this to go on unchallenged.
Narration is a little flat. Seems you can always tell when it's not the author of an autobiography doing the narration. She tries but it just sounds a little sugar-coated.

fascinating!

I enjoyed this book much more than I expected! of course I've already heard some things about scientology but I still found the descriptions of the author's experience, from start to finish, absolutely fascinating. I was afraid listening to this book would just make me angry, and it did, but I'm so glad I listened and knowing more is always good. I rooted for the author and I'm so happy that she was able to make her way out of that totally f'ed up world.