Scientology is known for its celebrity believers and its team of "volunteer ministers" at disaster sites such as the World Trade Center; its notably aggressive response to criticism or its attacks on psychiatry; its requirement that believers pay as much as hundreds of thousands of dollars to reach the highest levels of salvation. The author offers a full, journalistic history of the Church of Scientology, in an even-handed account that establishes the astonishing truth about the controversial religion. She traces Scientology's development from the birth of Dianetics through to the present day. But for all its notoriety, Scientology has remained America's least understood new religion, even as it has been one of its most successful. In this work the author tells its full story in this modern history of Scientology, at last revealing the truth about life within the religion for its members and ex-members. Based on five years of research, confidential documents, and extensive interviews with current and former Scientologists, this is a nonfiction account of an elusive faith.

Introduction : The world's fastest-growing religion -- The founder -- Dianetics -- The franchised faith -- The bridge to total freedom -- Travels with the commodore -- Over the rainbow -- DM -- Power is assumed -- Lisa -- Flag -- Seventeen days -- The greatest good -- The celebrity strategy -- The seduction of Tom Cruise -- The bubble -- Int -- Exodus -- Epilogue : What is true for you.