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Review Detail

 
What is Scientology?
Scientology Books
October 13, 2012    
When the book was designed, David Miscavige directed that it be printed on very heavy paper stock so it would seem more "substantial" based on the theory that a heavy book would somehow demonstrate more validity or generate more credibility for Scientology. The keynote he was going for was "authoritative" and as a result, it comes off as authoritative instead of warm, human and truthful which would have been about 1,000 times better. The additional unnecessary weight makes the book uncomfortable to hold, a hassle to transport and incredibly unwieldy to read.

The problem in logic is that David Miscavige being a sociopath, has no commonality or anything in common with other people. So his effort is simply to overwhelm everyone, including through art. That translated into making this book very so heavy to "impress" people.

Trivia: The original 1993 edition featured a forced-perspective bridge rising from scorched earth which I created in miniature. It was about three feet long. The ivory-colored bridge was a paper model, pieced together from paper. The lava-like earth was crafted from a Styrofoam sheet and painted black with red in the cracks and lit by a red light below so it looked like cooling lava. The rest was Photoshopped in.
Overall rating 
 
1.5
Wow factor 
 
2.0
Informative 
 
1.0
Easy to understand 
 
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Usefulness 
 
1.0
Reviewed by Thoughtful November 04, 2012
Last updated: November 09, 2012
Top 50 Reviewer  -   View all my reviews (11)

All dressed up and no place to go

When the book was designed, David Miscavige directed that it be printed on very heavy paper stock so it would seem more "substantial" based on the theory that a heavy book would somehow demonstrate more validity or generate more credibility for Scientology. The keynote he was going for was "authoritative" and as a result, it comes off as authoritative instead of warm, human and truthful which would have been about 1,000 times better. The additional unnecessary weight makes the book uncomfortable to hold, a hassle to transport and incredibly unwieldy to read.

The problem in logic is that David Miscavige being a sociopath, has no commonality or anything in common with other people. So his effort is simply to overwhelm everyone, including through art. That translated into making this book very so heavy to "impress" people.

Trivia: The original 1993 edition featured a forced-perspective bridge rising from scorched earth which I created in miniature. It was about three feet long. The ivory-colored bridge was a paper model, pieced together from paper. The lava-like earth was crafted from a Styrofoam sheet and painted black with red in the cracks and lit by a red light below so it looked like cooling lava. The rest was Photoshopped in.

Where I stand

I am a...
Independent Scientologist

Pros and Cons (optional)

Pros
As a reference work it has a lot of facts. But as a book for dissemination, it does not contain facts that also have dissemination value in my opinion
Cons
For me personally, this book never had much use. I gave it out to people. Nobody read it. Stupidly, moronically heavy. The book doesn't provide facts I think people would actually be interested in.

Bottom line...

Recommend it to a friend?
No
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self-analysis

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Self  Analysis (August 1951):  Possibly the best introduction to the subjects of Dianetics and Scientology. Self Analysis contains both a series of essays on the basic discoveries Ron had made up to this point in his research as well as an extensive auditing section that a person can do by themselves right at home. The book contains a special version of the Hubbard Chart of Human Evaluation and a series of tests one can do to discover where you're really at. Then, by applying the processes from the second half of the book, one is guided through a path of self-discovery. At the end, you will re-do the tests to confirm your improvement. How good can you get? These techniques have been in use for more than six decades and Ron referred to them again and again throughout his research, stating that the processes here were capable of curing any neurosis.

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Find a copy in used bookstores or at Alibris.com, Amazon.com, eBay. Or you can buy a new copy from these Church of Scientology organizations (but once you give them your address they may continue to send you junk mail) Bridge Publications or New Era Publications.