Listen free for 30 days
-
The Church of Fear
- Inside the Weird World of Scientology
- Narrated by: John Sweeney
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Categories: Religion & Spirituality, Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts
People who bought this also bought...
-
Blown for Good
- Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology
- By: Marc Headley
- Narrated by: Marc Headley
- Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Marc Headley provides an insider's view of life as a member of Scientology's "Sea Organization". Marc worked at Scientology's secret desert compound, which houses all Scientology management, for 15 years. The 500-acre property is located deep in the California desert. The local townspeople were told lectures and films were made there. But is that all that was happening? It is the location of a multi-million-dollar home for L. Ron Hubbard, built two decades after his death. It is the home of Scientology's current leader, David Miscavige.
-
-
Kirstie Alley recommended reading a book
- By Purple on 05-09-18
-
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
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Enjoyable insight into the closest ranks
- By Jamie on 08-12-13
-
The Witness Wore Red
- The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice
- By: Rebecca Musser, M. Bridget Cook
- Narrated by: Rebecca Musser
- Length: 14 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Always seeking to be an obedient Priesthood girl, in her teens Rebecca Musser became the nineteenth wife of her people's prophet: 85-year-old Rulon Jeffs. Finally sickened by the abuse she suffered and saw around her, she pulled off a daring escape and sought to build a new life and family.
-
-
Incredible story of a religious cult
- By dale_mcewan on 02-05-15
-
The Unbreakable Miss Lovely
- How the Church of Scientology Tried to Destroy Paulette Cooper
- By: Tony Ortega
- Narrated by: Tony Ortega
- Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1971 Paulette Cooper wrote a scathing book about the Church of Scientology. Desperate to shut the book down, Scientology unleashed on her one of the most sinister personal campaigns the free world has ever known. The onslaught, which lasted years, ruined her life and drove her to the brink of suicide. The story of Paulette's terrifying ordeal is told in full for the first time in The Unbreakable Miss Lovely.
-
-
No s's
- By T. Webb on 30-10-16
-
Fair Game
- The Incredible Untold Story of Scientology in Australia
- By: Steve Cannane
- Narrated by: Steve Cannane
- Length: 14 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From Rugby League players trying to improve their game, to Hollywood superstars and the depressed sons of media moguls, Scientology has recruited its share of famous Australians. Less known is that Australia was the first place to ban Scientology, or that Scientology spies helped expose the Chelmsford Deep Sleep Scandal. Numerous Australians have held senior posts in the organisation, only to fall foul of the top brass and lose their families as a result.
-
-
Fantastic!! One of the best on Scientology
- By Montu on 31-03-20
-
Scarred
- The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life
- By: Sarah Edmondson, Kristine Gasbarre
- Narrated by: Sarah Edmondson
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The shocking and subversive memoir of a 12-year-NXIVM-member-turned-whistleblower, and her inspiring true story of abuse, escape, and redemption. "Master, would you brand me? It would be an honor." Scarred follows actress Sarah Edmondson's account of her recruitment into the NXIVM cult, founded by Keith Raniere. It narrates in detail the 12 years she spent within the organization, during which she enrolled over 2,000 members, chronicling her breaking point and her harrowing fight to get out, help others, and heal.
-
-
Fascinating; compelling; what an emotional rollercoaster!
- By Ms Venetia Paiz-Merino on 11-10-19
-
Blown for Good
- Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology
- By: Marc Headley
- Narrated by: Marc Headley
- Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Marc Headley provides an insider's view of life as a member of Scientology's "Sea Organization". Marc worked at Scientology's secret desert compound, which houses all Scientology management, for 15 years. The 500-acre property is located deep in the California desert. The local townspeople were told lectures and films were made there. But is that all that was happening? It is the location of a multi-million-dollar home for L. Ron Hubbard, built two decades after his death. It is the home of Scientology's current leader, David Miscavige.
-
-
Kirstie Alley recommended reading a book
- By Purple on 05-09-18
-
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
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Enjoyable insight into the closest ranks
- By Jamie on 08-12-13
-
The Witness Wore Red
- The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice
- By: Rebecca Musser, M. Bridget Cook
- Narrated by: Rebecca Musser
- Length: 14 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Always seeking to be an obedient Priesthood girl, in her teens Rebecca Musser became the nineteenth wife of her people's prophet: 85-year-old Rulon Jeffs. Finally sickened by the abuse she suffered and saw around her, she pulled off a daring escape and sought to build a new life and family.
-
-
Incredible story of a religious cult
- By dale_mcewan on 02-05-15
-
The Unbreakable Miss Lovely
- How the Church of Scientology Tried to Destroy Paulette Cooper
- By: Tony Ortega
- Narrated by: Tony Ortega
- Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1971 Paulette Cooper wrote a scathing book about the Church of Scientology. Desperate to shut the book down, Scientology unleashed on her one of the most sinister personal campaigns the free world has ever known. The onslaught, which lasted years, ruined her life and drove her to the brink of suicide. The story of Paulette's terrifying ordeal is told in full for the first time in The Unbreakable Miss Lovely.
-
-
No s's
- By T. Webb on 30-10-16
-
Fair Game
- The Incredible Untold Story of Scientology in Australia
- By: Steve Cannane
- Narrated by: Steve Cannane
- Length: 14 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From Rugby League players trying to improve their game, to Hollywood superstars and the depressed sons of media moguls, Scientology has recruited its share of famous Australians. Less known is that Australia was the first place to ban Scientology, or that Scientology spies helped expose the Chelmsford Deep Sleep Scandal. Numerous Australians have held senior posts in the organisation, only to fall foul of the top brass and lose their families as a result.
-
-
Fantastic!! One of the best on Scientology
- By Montu on 31-03-20
-
Scarred
- The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life
- By: Sarah Edmondson, Kristine Gasbarre
- Narrated by: Sarah Edmondson
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The shocking and subversive memoir of a 12-year-NXIVM-member-turned-whistleblower, and her inspiring true story of abuse, escape, and redemption. "Master, would you brand me? It would be an honor." Scarred follows actress Sarah Edmondson's account of her recruitment into the NXIVM cult, founded by Keith Raniere. It narrates in detail the 12 years she spent within the organization, during which she enrolled over 2,000 members, chronicling her breaking point and her harrowing fight to get out, help others, and heal.
-
-
Fascinating; compelling; what an emotional rollercoaster!
- By Ms Venetia Paiz-Merino on 11-10-19
-
Scientology: A to Xenu: An Insider's Guide to What Scientology Is All About
- By: Chris Shelton
- Narrated by: Chris Shelton
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Former insider Chris Shelton grew up in Scientology and worked for it for 25 years. This critical analysis covers the key aspects of its beliefs, practices, and structure from the bottom to the top, including not just the confidential Xenu story but details of all of the upper-level scriptures. Chris goes into detail about what goes on inside Scientology churches, why its members get involved in the first place, and what it takes to get out should someone decide to leave.
-
-
Illuminating book about Scientology
- By S Wood on 10-11-16
-
Unfollow
- By: Megan Phelps-Roper
- Narrated by: Megan Phelps-Roper
- Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Megan Phelps-Roper was raised in the Westboro Baptist Church - the fire-and-brimstone religious sect at once aggressively homophobic and anti-Semitic, rejoiceful for AIDS and natural disasters, and notorious for its picketing the funerals of American soldiers. From her first public protest, aged five, to her instrumental role in spreading the church's invective via social media, her formative years brought their difficulties. But being reviled was not one of them.
-
-
Hope for the hurting
- By GapsOfTheGod on 26-10-19
-
Road to Jonestown
- Jim Jones and Peoples Temple
- By: Jeff Guinn
- Narrated by: George Newbern
- Length: 17 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the 1950s a young Indianapolis minister named Jim Jones preached a curious blend of the Gospel and Marxism. His congregation was racially integrated, and he was a much-lauded leader in the contemporary civil rights movement. Eventually Jones moved his church, Peoples Temple, to Northern California. He became involved in electoral politics and soon was a prominent Bay Area leader.
-
-
The definitive book on Jim & The Peoples Temple.
- By Calum Francis Dougan on 22-04-18
-
Favorite Wife
- Escape from Polygamy
- By: Susan Ray Schmidt
- Narrated by: Susan Ericksen
- Length: 22 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
She had no choice in the matter - none of the girls did. Her mission was to give birth to and raise many children in devoted service to a shared husband. Susan was 15 years old when she became the sixth wife of Verlan LeBaron, one of the leaders of a rogue Mormon cult, who was engaged in a blood feud with his brother that from 1972 to 1988 claimed up to two dozen lives. In this gripping and eloquent book, Susan Ray Schmidt tells the story of growing up on the inside and of her ultimate escape with her children from an oppressive and violent life.
-
-
Hard Life
- By Brendamo on 20-03-20
-
Flat Earth News
- By: Nick Davies
- Narrated by: Steven Crossley
- Length: 17 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When award-winning journalist Nick Davies decided to break Fleet Street's unwritten rule by investigating his own colleagues, he found that the business of reporting the truth had been slowly subverted by the mass production of ignorance.
-
-
You'll never buy a newspaper again
- By Simon on 11-10-09
-
Broken Faith
- Inside the Word of Faith Fellowship, One of America's Most Dangerous Cults
- By: Mitch Weiss, Holbrook Mohr
- Narrated by: Vivienne Leheny
- Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1979, a fiery preacher named Jane Whaley attracted a small group of followers with a promise that she could turn their lives around. In the years since, Whaley’s following has expanded to include thousands of congregants across three continents. Based on hundreds of interviews, secretly recorded conversations, and thousands of pages of documents, Pulitzer Prize winner Mitch Weiss and Holbrook Mohr’s Broken Faith is a terrifying portrait life inside the Word of Faith Fellowship, and the harrowing account of one family who escaped after two decades.
-
-
Important and harrowing
- By Helen C on 19-02-20
-
Columbine
- By: Dave Cullen
- Narrated by: Don Leslie
- Length: 14 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What really happened on April 20th, 1999? The horror left an indelible stamp on the American psyche, but most of what we thought we knew was wrong. It wasn't about jocks, goths or the Trench Coat Mafia. Dave Cullen was one of the first reporters on the scene, and he spent 10 years on this book, the definitive account. With a keen investigative eye and psychological acumen, he draws on mountains of evidence, insight from the world's leading forensic psychologists. Cullen paints raw portraits of two polar opposite killers.
-
-
Profoundly moving
- By Wayne O'Brien on 02-04-19
-
Scientology: Abuse at the Top
- By: Amy Scobee
- Narrated by: Danielle Plaso
- Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A former top insider reveals the nightmare world of violence and abuse at the highest levels of the Church of Scientology. One review states: "At home alone, a 14 year old girl takes a phone call from Scientology. This starts a quarter of a century journey of manipulation, betrayal and sexual, physical and mental abuse. This journey leads to the highest management echelon and one woman's courage to break free. A real page-turner." Mark P. Another writes: "Amy Scobee has written a book unlike any other expose of Scientology.
-
-
Amy Scobee is amazing. #heroine
- By Amazon Customer on 07-05-20
-
Poisoned Blood
- A True Story of Murder, Passion, and an Astonishing Hoax
- By: Philip E. Ginsburg
- Narrated by: David Colacci
- Length: 19 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Pretty, smart, and pampered, Audrey Marie Hilley grew up in a small Alabama town believing she was entitled to the best of everything. But marriage to her high school sweetheart, a cushy secretarial job, and motherhood were not enough to satisfy Marie, and she soon began to act out in troubling ways. Only when her husband, Frank, became sick with a mysterious illness, did it seem that she was ready to put someone else's needs ahead of her own. The truth was far more disturbing.
-
-
fascinating story
- By claire adams on 04-12-20
-
Waco
- A Survivor's Story
- By: David Thibodeau, Leon Whiteson, Aviva Layton
- Narrated by: Robert Fass
- Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When he first met the man who called himself David Koresh, David Thibodeau was drumming for a rock band that was going nowhere fast. Intrigued and frustrated with a stalled music career, Thibodeau gradually became a follower and moved to the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. He remained there until April 19, 1993, when the compound was stormed and burnt to the ground after a 51-day standoff. In this book, Thibodeau explores why so many people came to believe that Koresh was divinely inspired.
-
-
A difficult & potentially divisive read.
- By Braid7 on 02-03-18
-
The Run of His Life
- The People v. O.J. Simpson
- By: Jeffrey Toobin
- Narrated by: Stephen Bel Davies
- Length: 18 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The definitive account of the O. J. Simpson trial, The Run of His Life is a prodigious feat of reporting that could have been written only by the foremost legal journalist of our time. First published less than a year after the infamous verdict, Jeffrey Toobin's nonfiction masterpiece tells the whole story, from the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman to the ruthless gamesmanship behind the scenes of "the trial of the century".
-
-
Real life story behind the TV Court Case.
- By Steve on 12-04-16
-
Angel of Darkness
- The True Story of Randy Kraft and the Most Heinous Murder Spree of the Century
- By: Dennis McDougal
- Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
- Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Randy Kraft was highly intelligent, politically active, loyal to his friends, committed to his work - and the killer of 67 people - more than any other serial killer known. This book offers a glimpse into the dark mind of a living monster.
-
-
Excellent
- By Robin on 15-04-20
Summary
Tom Cruise and John Travolta say the Church of Scientology is a force for good. Others disagree.
Award-winning journalist John Sweeney investigated the Church for more than half a decade. During that time he was intimidated, spied on, and followed, and the results were spectacular: Sweeney lost his temper with the Church's spokesman on camera, and his infamous 'exploding tomato' clip was seen by millions around the world.
In The Church of Fear, Sweeney tells the full story of his experiences for the first time and paints a devastating picture of this strange organisation, from former Scientologists who tell heartbreaking stories of families torn apart and lives ruined to its current followers who say it is the solution to many of mankind's problems.
This is the real story of the Church by the reporter who was brave enough to take it on.
John Sweeney is a reporter for BBC Panorama. He is the author of six previous books including the novel Elephant Moon.
Critic reviews
"Gripping." (The Economist)
"A brave book." (Liverpool Daily Post)
"Blackly comic." (The Humanist)
More from the same
Author
Narrator
What listeners say about The Church of Fear
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- David
- 16-07-15
Truly Bonkers
Any additional comments?
This is a great insight into a truly bonkers world. Although John Sweeney makes it clear that there was much more that could have gone into the book, due to the litigious nature of the church the content was restricted. For me, this actually worked really well as it made the book far more powerful and personal because everything was based on hard, in your face evidence.
And John, don't feel bad about exploding like a tomato, I thought you were really rather restrained!
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Antony
- 09-09-15
Fascinating
Whatever scientologists believe, and whether or not scientology is a cult, the real fascination for me is in the utterly unreasonable behaviour of Tommy Davis and his cronies in the way they relentlessly attack the Panorama team with illogical, hypocritical nonsense. John Seeeney snaps, but only long aftet the point where I - and most others - would have done.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Andrea O.
- 04-07-16
Captivating Listen
I always wanted to know more about Scientology and now I do.
John Sweeney's first hand account of his interactions with the "church's" members is riveting. It is an excellent listen and many times I shouted aloud at how unbelievable some of his accounts were at how he and others were treated by scientologists.
Ironically this is the only audiobook I've ever had trouble downloading...and stopped working twice! They are controlling the book or a weak internet connection...hopefully the latter! ;)
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Chris
- 10-08-15
Fantastic
Absolutely enthralling, chose this purely because of the YouTube video and wasn't disappointed. With a wonderful mixture of humour and honesty Sweeney paints a picture that may seem hard to believe but will have you hooked from start to finish.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ReadingWild
- 11-07-15
Nice one John
The standard of reporting here is of the highest grade, honest, open and human...which is more than you can say about the subject matter...creepy indeed.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Eamon Green
- 16-07-15
An mind-blowing and compelling insight
If you could sum up The Church of Fear in three words, what would they be?
Compelling, insightful, provocative
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Church of Fear?
Mike Rinder's interview with John Sweeney after exiting the church.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
The car chase.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Y.S.C.O.H.B
Any additional comments?
A fascinating insight into the alleged dangerous cult of Scientology which causes one to reflect on what drives people to believe such outragous beliefs and demonstrates the need to teach ourselves and our kids the importance of critical thinking.
It left me wanting more and wondering if we are about to witness the self-distruction of the Church of Scientology.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jude Bailey
- 30-06-15
Brilliant, funny and scary
Really enjoyed this and loved the way he reads his own work. Found myself giggling along to the relentless questions he puts to the church members. Definitely recommend
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- didgerman
- 30-08-15
Very good, but also terrible..
A brilliant work on an awful subject. Well worth a listen if you feel happy go lucky about this twisted cult.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dallas Winston 9
- 08-02-17
Scientology is worse than a War Zone!
Would you consider the audio edition of The Church of Fear to be better than the print version?
Yes, the text was personal to the narrator, who was also the author, so you could tell how personal the whole situation became. How he and Scientology were at war with one another was good, though it was such a aristocratic war I couldn't help but laugh at how pompous they all were at times.
Who was your favorite character and why?
This is a personal account so I'd have to say Sweeney. Paranoid at times, angry at others he was also genuine and passionate, if a little dorky now and again. He knew his subject well and was able to highlight how he struggled during some interviews, what he had to deal with who can blame him, but he also used hindsight effectively to elevate his arguments later on. Just for the record, I think he won the war of words.
Did the narration match the pace of the story?
Yes. John Sweeney drew on research effectively he described the scenes vividly.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There were some moments of shock for me. I could also understand why John became so angry.
Any additional comments?
The book is basically exploration of Scientology as a cult. It highlights how the system works, mind control, mental prisons etc it covers what scientologist believe, that is, if you can believe what they believe, it's a bit out there. It was a informative listen. Though I would like to have heard him interview Scientologists from a wider range of people. enjoyed this listen.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- iris
- 11-06-15
Love the subject; less impressed by narration
The relevations in this book of scientology are really fascinating and it is hard to believe the nonsense to which people are not only prepared to adhere but to pay vast sums of money not to mention the fact they can cut themselves off from family and friends. It was well-researched too. What I found rather irritating was the author's constant overuse of certain expressions such as 'creepy' or 'strange' and his similies also tended to be way over the top. His writing is full of hyperbole and on many occasions he cannot resist his own self-aggrandisement which is tiresome - his high IQ, his string of dangerous assignments. His voice is more suited to doing voice-over on images and it should have been toned down for audio reading where the relationship with the reader is more intimate. I do believe, in spite of my criticisms, that he is on the whole sincere in his wish to expose the 'church' as a sect or cult.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Audio Gra Gra
- 29-05-16
The Church of Intimidation, Deviousness and Evil
I would recommend choosing the audiobook over the printed version of "The Church of Fear" as you can hear in the authors own voice his mix of outrage, paranoia and sense of seemingly impending insanity as he details his encounters with this sinister religious scam. John Sweeney is the BBC journalist who went viral on YouTube in 2007 after he lost his temper in a shouting match with scientology (I refuse to capitalise this evil organisation's name) representative Tommy Davis. "The Church of Fear" details the behind the scenes tale of the making of BBC's documentary on scientology.
Unlike other recent books on scientology, particularly Janet Reitman's "Inside scientology", where the authors make a decent stab at impartiality, John Sweeney's book is deliciously biased, and to be fair, he's completely justified to take this approach - the evidence he presents of intimidation, spying, threats, "legal" bullying and psychological warfare perpetrated by scientology to scuttle the BBC documentary left him in a state of paranoia, confusion and awe at his subject's cunning and deviousness.
If you already know about the evils of the people running scientology then there's nothing new here, but the account of someone who finds themselves caught in a maze of despicable, tawdry and sinister behaviour makes this account well worth the listen / read. It will leave you wondering at the appalling cowardice of US government organisations like the IRS who continue to refuse to put scientology in its place - which should be a bizarre footnote of history, but instead continues to function as an untaxed business / scam started by a bad science fiction writer who has proved that vulnerable people will literally fall for the craziest stuff imaginable.
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Cheryl
- 03-04-16
Scary look into cult
Great job John Sweeney! You braved a journey most would fear to make. A truth seeker does not a bigot make
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 04-07-16
An eye opener. Thank you.
This is a great book with a thought-provoking message about religion and cults. Where is that line? Have we all grown tolerant of cult activities in our churches because we just got used to it? This extreme case of a cult should make us examine all our organized churches.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- J. E. JORDAN
- 24-02-16
Real Life Suspense
Usually, I don't like when authors narrate their own books, but this one works. I found the whole thing suspenseful and I couldn't wait to get back to it each evening. I'd seen the Panorama broadcast long before choosing this audio book. I can report that the book had more in depth. It was probably made better because I could see the interviews he relates in my mind's eye. So I think the film and the book complement each other.
All in all an exciting story.
In a lot of ways, it reminds me of Michael Moore and Bowling for Columbine.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Rabid Readers Reviews
- 15-09-15
Interesting look into a secretive religion...
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
"The Church of Fear" gives readers a little known look into a well known but little talked about religion in which members are secluded from the unbelieving family members and forced to pay exorbitant improvement fees. Scientology's cult status is clearly with each page.
Who was your favorite character and why?
John Sweeney was a favorite in his no holds barred quest for the truth.
Have you listened to any of John Sweeney’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I have not. In "Church of Fear" Sweeney was energetic and fired by his convictions which made for a fascinating listen.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?
"You can join but you can never leave."
Any additional comments?
“Church of Fear” by John Sweeney is a wonderfully interesting and informative read. If you’re interested in cults, human nature and organizational control pick the book up today and if you’re in the mood for a special treat, be sure the version you buy is the audio book.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Tracy
- 29-06-16
In-depth, Insightful, Informative
Any additional comments?
John Sweeney knocked this out of the park. The narration was magnificent! For anyone interested in an in-depth look at what many experience in the Church of Scientology, L Ron Hubbard, and what it's like to 'blow', this is your book. Parts were heart breaking as families are torn to shreds. Most of it is frightening as the leadership of the church will stop at nothing to destroy anyone who dares to leave or defy it.
I've watched the videos of John Sweeney and the "going tomato" episode. I for one felt it was illustrated the tactics they use to break a person down. While Sweeney expresses regret at the melt down, I found it profoundly helpful in understanding how they work a person into utter madness. He didn't look like a madman, he looked like any one of us would in the same circumstance. But now that I've seen it, I feel it might actually have equipped me to manage such an encounter.
Sweeney asks the questions that have been going through my mind since reading Jenna Miscaviage-Hill's book AND Ron Miscaviage's recent release of his book, Ruthless. Both are terrific reads as well and had me asking, "How are Travolta and Cruise able to turn a blind eye to such atrocities in the name of their religion?" And How complicit are they?
After reading Sweeney's book, I'm all the more amazed at the courage it took for Leah Remini to leave so loudly. Her book, another terrific read by the way, is equally eye-opening and disturbing. As an outsider, I kept asking myself why people don't just surround David Miscaviage (literally surround him) and escort him right out the door on his keester. But then, I see the problem at the same time, they are set up to snitch on each other making collaboration a near impossibility.
This is a fascinating read all the way around. Troubling that this cult isn't shut right down here and now. But if people continue to rally and speak up, it's sure to crash at some point.
This still leaves me asking, Where is Shelly?
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Count B
- 25-07-16
CHURCH OF FEAR IS WHAT IT IS!
Any additional comments?
Scientology is a sick cult, the author spent many years on this story & takes you deep inside this sick cult of greed, power & misery. It will open for eyes & most certainly shock you that this criminal organisation can call itself a religion & damage so many peoples lives. A shocking true story that will captivate you.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- LV
- 14-05-16
Very insightful
Very informative, well researched and a must read! I feel bad for what John Sweeney had to go through but very thankful that he continued with his research and shed light on Scientology.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall

- Christina
- 18-03-16
very interesting and informative
a bit hard to follow at times, but very good. nice to hear about specific people and circumstances.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Leo
- 26-02-16
In the land of creepy, Scientology takes the cake.
If you've ever wondered how much Scientology is capable of destroying read this book! Creeepy!
1 person found this helpful