Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science Hot

This book is an excellent introduction to the subject of Dianetics, and an understanding of the material in it goes a long way in contributing to a more thorough understanding of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.
First published as a book-length feature in Astounding Science Fiction (19,027 words), Evolution of a Science was written primarily with the scientifically literate public in mind. Much of the material came about through discussions among the scientifically-minded writers of the golden age of science fiction: Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, Arthur J. Burks, Ed Bodin, Willy Lea and the incomparable John W. Campbell, Jr. (author of the footnote removed from current editions of the book).
With that in mind, much of the chosen language and phrasing of the book becomes clear.
First published in the April edition of Astounding, the primary purpose of this book was one of promotion, to whet the appetites of the scifi fanbase for L. Ron Hubbard's soon-to-be-released Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. And it worked, far beyond what anyone had expected, propelling DMSMH into a position as one of the biggest bestsellers of all time.
As for the data the book contains, I personally found that it brought a good degree of clarity to DMSMH. Take, for example, one of the "yardsticks of Dianetics" discussed in DMSMH: The Introduction of an Arbitrary. It isn't expounded upon in DMSMH, but in Evolution of a Science this yardstick is laid out, "Introduce an arbitrary, and if it is only an arbitrary, the whole computation goes out." Aha!
Give the book a chance and read it with an open mind, I really think you'll thank yourself later!

This was the first book I read in Dianetics and Scientology. And I was so impressed that I wanted more. I really think this IS the book that should be sold as a beginning book, unfortunately with the state of education there are many that would have a very difficult time with this book let alone Dianetics.

The book Dianetics The Evolution Of A Science I feel should be a first read and then Self Analysis for beginners to the subject of Dianetics and Scientology. Dianetics The Evolution Of A Science is truly a wonderment regarding the truth on what one man found makes each of us tick. I highly recommend this small phenomenon of a book for everyone to read.
Happy Everything,
Tom Brown

Excellent first book, entertaining, and it introduces the most important concepts in a logical sequence.

This was the 1st book I read and now I have read all the books. In my mind, this is the first book to start with. You will get a clear understanding of the mechanics of the mind and how this whole movement started. The second book to read is Fundamentals of Thought, which is an introduction to Scientology. After reading those 2 books, you should be able to read most any of the other books. When I read these books I said, "Either I am crazy or this is the answer to the universe!" I still believe that statement today.... read them and find out for yourself.

The first book I read on Dianetics was"Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health". I got a lot out of that book but I wish I would have known about and read this book first. I feel this book is a good set up for Dianetics because it goes into the history of the research and discovery which led up to this new science of the mind. I feel that reading this book first makes following along with Dianetics a little bit easier.

This is a really good book to read if one wants to understand that time, and the excitement around a new discovery. At that time, immense interest was generated among thinkers and philosophers in the area of the human mind, one can actually get a feel of how it was, with people gathering together to talk about it all, and explore new territory. The book is clearly written, aeasy to read and understand, and gives an important contextual backdrop the the development of Dianetics.

Would read this before Dianetics.

This is a good book, easy to read and grasp. I find it amazing that it was written in 1948, yet the author explains the mind in terms of computers. How did he know about computers back then? He was obviously on the cutting edge of what was going on, which makes him a very knowledgeable man. I think the very most interesting idea in the book is the fact that the human computer is perfect unless it is fed wrong data. I never knew that before. I think it is a must read especially as an early book.