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jmoriarty's review against another edition
1.0
Read it out of curiosity. First part had some decent psychological ideas, then it got nutty in a hurry. Gives a nice glimpse into the mindset behind Scientology, but not much else.
mcallis47's review against another edition
3.0
A curiously thorough review of the history, concepts, and practice of a science of mind that is almost, but not quite, entirely made up.
checkers09's review against another edition
2.5
I came into this book trying to be as open-minded as possible and put aside my preconceived notions of Scientology as much as a could, something which is hard to do given Scientologies's controversial image in the media. I think the book's basic tenants are quite harmless whether you think they work or not, it's mostly about creating a clear mind and avoiding drugs which Hubbard sees as damaging mentally and spiritually.
The book is broken into three chapters with chapter one talking about the emergence of Dianetics and the four dynamics, chapter two discussing the reasons behind mental anguish through 'aberrations' and the 'reactive mind', and chapter three focusing on ways Dianetics can help people by therapy.
It's quite hard going especially at the start with a lot of complicated ideas and phrases being thrown at you without a very concise meaning. He also makes a lot of unsubstantiated claims and downright falsehoods such as his belief in Hypnosis. To his credit he doesn't leave his religion to be as vague as possible to widen its appeal, explaining in detail many of the key practices in Dianetics.
Overall the book is passable and interesting for me as someone intrigued by Scientology. Its atrocious rating is mostly likely due to the largely negative perception of Scientology and not a fair assessment of the book as a whole.
The book is broken into three chapters with chapter one talking about the emergence of Dianetics and the four dynamics, chapter two discussing the reasons behind mental anguish through 'aberrations' and the 'reactive mind', and chapter three focusing on ways Dianetics can help people by therapy.
It's quite hard going especially at the start with a lot of complicated ideas and phrases being thrown at you without a very concise meaning. He also makes a lot of unsubstantiated claims and downright falsehoods such as his belief in Hypnosis. To his credit he doesn't leave his religion to be as vague as possible to widen its appeal, explaining in detail many of the key practices in Dianetics.
Overall the book is passable and interesting for me as someone intrigued by Scientology. Its atrocious rating is mostly likely due to the largely negative perception of Scientology and not a fair assessment of the book as a whole.
lordcheez's review against another edition
2.0
Intentionally vague, poorly written and confusing. I will quote a review from New Republic, "a bold and immodest mixture of complete nonsense and perfectly reasonable common sense, taken from long-acknowledged findings and disguised and distorted by a crazy, newly invented terminology"
eliecastonguay's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
My mother recommended to me this book a couple of years ago but I never really cared about it... until I actually opened it! OMG... this book had answers to soooooo many questions I had about myself and why I had some weird habits and reactions through my life. I am glad that I finally read it from cover to cover and actually applied what was in it. Thanks mom for recommending this book to me, you really helped me improve my life!!! :)
eliecastonguay's review against another edition
5.0
My mother recommended to me this book a couple of years ago but I never really cared about it... until I actually opened it! OMG... this book had answers to soooooo many questions I had about myself and why I had some weird habits and reactions through my life. I am glad that I finally read it from cover to cover and actually applied what was in it. Thanks mom for recommending this book to me, you really helped me improve my life!!! :)
silvia_linn's review against another edition
2.0
He gets a free star for having so much influence. You’ve got to respect that.
ronnierare's review against another edition
1.0
Honestly couldn't finish. I started it because I had been interested in just seeming where Scientology came from and it starts out well enough but as it goes on gets less and less comprehensible (not to mention more and more sexist). I was not reading this for pleasure so it was not a disappointment but just didn't agree with the content especially since he makes many unfounded claims and references things which have no evidence to show research was actually conducted. Also he tends to ramble on the same point over and over again. Just not for me but I may come back to it and attempt to finish it at some point! Just because I am interested to learn about it from an observers standpoint.
kxu65's review against another edition
The book broke in half while I was reading the book, so could not finish the book, but I wish that I could have, it was interesting of a read.