Anna LeBaron’s dad was Ervil LeBaron; he was high up in the heirarchy of the Fundamentalist (polygamist) Mormons during the 1970s. Anna, her mother, aAnna LeBaron’s dad was Ervil LeBaron; he was high up in the heirarchy of the Fundamentalist (polygamist) Mormons during the 1970s. Anna, her mother, and siblings (and many half siblings) moved often and on short notice. It was later Anna found out that her dad was trying to avoid the FBI; though they mostly didn’t live with him, anyway, they were also trying to stay away from authorities. Anna did manage to get away from her mother (and the “cult�) by the time she was 13 when she went to live with a sister, her husband, and their children. But Anna’s background still had a lasting effect on her life. It turns out her father had ordered a list of people killed. Even with her father gone (after he died), life was somewhat dangerous.
Another very good FLDS biography, with a different perspective � this time it was not the perspective of a child bride, as this was before the girls who were forced to marry were really young (even for Anna’s age group, though, they were often married at 15 years old (but it got worse later on)). Not that Anna’s life was good, either. There was a lot of fear and loneliness, and knowing her father barely knew who she was, nor really cared (though she tried to convince herself with any morsel that hinted he might). ...more
This is a detailed look at the history of Scientology, including a biography of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard.
The author talked to many people3.5 stars
This is a detailed look at the history of Scientology, including a biography of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard.
The author talked to many people who have left Scientology, as well as a few still involved, but many who are still involved wouldn’t be interviewed. Given its close ties to various celebrities, there is much discussion of some of the celebrities who are involved. The book was published in 2013, so that’s that same time and before a couple of the other books I’ve read on Scientology (one written by Jenna Miscavige-Hill, the niece of the current leader of the religion/cult, and another written by actress Leah Remini). Miscavige-Hill was already running a website that is mentioned a few times in this book, though. The “church� (cult?) is plagued with accusations of human rights abuses, assaults, etc.
This was mostly interesting, but there were times (mostly within Hubbard’s biography section of the book) where I just couldn’t focus. I think I find the personal stories the most interesting (including the other books I’ve read), though this is a very well-researched detailed account. It’s pretty scary, though, that journalists, people who have left, etc, anyone who says anything against Scientology appear to be harassed, and in some cases, even framed for crimes they didn’t commit! ...more
Alice is a filmmaker still looking for her big break. Maybe this is it? Her grandmother grew up in a small isolated town in Sweden where something oddAlice is a filmmaker still looking for her big break. Maybe this is it? Her grandmother grew up in a small isolated town in Sweden where something odd happened in 1959. Everyone disappeared. All almost-900 of them. (Alice’s grandmother had already moved to Stockholm by then.) There was one decomposing woman tied to a post in the town square and one baby still alive. 60 years later, Alice gets together five people to go film a promo to raise money to create an entire documentary trying to figure out what happened in this town all those years ago. But things go very very wrong...
The start of this book pulled me right in. It did go back and forth in time between Alice and her crew there for five days filming and back in time to the townspeople and what went on at the time. It did slow down for a while with some set-up, but it picked up again. Creepy� those isolated buildings just left with stuff still on the table, etc. It was all so sudden. ...more
Leah Remini is an actress, mostly known (I think � at least by me!) for her role as Carrie on “The King of Queens�, which ran for 9 years in the late Leah Remini is an actress, mostly known (I think � at least by me!) for her role as Carrie on “The King of Queens�, which ran for 9 years in the late �90s into the 2000s. The bulk of this book, however, focuses on her 35 years as part of the Scientology community before she left the church.
When Leah was a child, her mother’s boyfriend was a Scientologist, so her mom, sister, and Leah all became very involved in the church. Leah always knew she wanted to act and when she was 18, she got her first tv role. In Scientology, celebrities are highly regarded, as they can bring good PR to the church and recruit more people. It was, in particular, after Leah met Tom Cruise, though they initially got along well, that things took a turn when Leah started questioning things.
I don’t read many celebrity biographies/memoirs, but I wanted to read this one after reading another book about someone (a non-celebrity) who escaped Scientology, so that was my initial interest. Leah’s career brought her in contact with other celebrity Scientologists and so the two topics are entwined. I did find some of her stories of her acting and tv life interesting, as well. It was frustrating, angering, and sad for Leah (and the reader) as she learned of more and more transgressions of higher authorities in the church. She never did find out where the wife of the leader disappeared to after years of hearing nothing from a woman Leah had considered a friend (and it appears that is still unknown). There are photos included from when she was little to not long before the book was published. ...more
This book, based on a podcast(?), looks at ten cults and their leaders. Only three were ones I knew of, including Charles Manson, Jim Jones, 3.5 stars
This book, based on a podcast(?), looks at ten cults and their leaders. Only three were ones I knew of, including Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and David Koresh (though I hadn’t ever read anything about Koresh previously). Unexpectedly, there were two that included UFOs! There was plenty of murder to go along with these cults. (Only) one of the leaders walked away from the carnage she left behind. I was interested to read about an actress who was highly involved with one cult. The cults were in various parts of the world, including Mexico, Uganda, Canada, and of course, the USA. (I hadn’t even heard of the guy in Canada � from Quebec � and he was twisted!).
I had hoped to learn more about how people end up following these crazy people, but the book was more a short biography of each of the leaders, in addition to the stories of their respective cults and what happened � how they formed, the people that followed them, and how they combusted. Similar to a book of short stories, I found some more interesting than others. ...more
At 25, Libby has inherited a large house that belonged to her biological parents, whom she doesn’t remember, as she’d been adopted at 10 mont3.5 stars
At 25, Libby has inherited a large house that belonged to her biological parents, whom she doesn’t remember, as she’d been adopted at 10 months old when her parents and one other person had been found (suicide) in the home she has now inherited. An older brother and sister were never found. Now, Libby wants to find out exactly what happened in that house and what happened to her siblings.
The story is told from three different points of view, one of them narrating what happened 25 years ago before “the baby� (Libby) and the three dead people were found. It took me quite a while to figure out all the characters and although it wasn’t overtly mentioned how the characters were related until later in the story, I did eventually figure it out. That being said, to get there took wading through figuring out a bunch of other characters, too. I have to admit the first half of the story wasn’t nearly as interesting as the second half, likely because it took me so long to figure out all the characters. I would probably give the second half a bit higher rating than I’m rating it overall. ...more
Jim Jones was the leader of the Peoples� Temple. This is the group that, in November 1978, committed mass suicide in Guyana, by “drinking the Kool AidJim Jones was the leader of the Peoples� Temple. This is the group that, in November 1978, committed mass suicide in Guyana, by “drinking the Kool Aid� (it wasn’t actually Kool Aid, but a similar flavoured drink, laced with cyanide). Over 900 people died that day. This book is actually a biography of Jim Jones, so it looks at his entire life. When he was starting out, he was charismatic, he believed in a world (in the 50s) where races mixed freely, and he believed in socialism, where everyone helped everyone else. The socialism attracted some to his group, as did his so-called healing powers. As his group got bigger, he moved them from Indiana to California, and of course, later to Guyana. He was married, but had several affairs and children.
This was really good. I didn’t realize until I checked it out of the library that the author is Jeff Guinn. It was just last year that I read his book on Bonnie and Clyde and I thought it was so well-researched, as was this one. I actually didn’t know much about Jim Jones or his followers, so this was new to me (except the “Kool Aid� suicide). I can see where he would have been very charismatic and appealing with his outlook on life, initially, at least. I would have liked to know more of the aftermath and the people left behind; I suppose that would have been somewhat extraneous, though, since the book is a biography of Jim.
I listened to the audio, and I do wonder if the book might have some photos (I suspect so � his Bonnie and Clyde book did), so I may have missed out on that, but the narrator was good. It was long, so yes, I did lose interest occasionally, but not often and overall, I thought it was well done. ...more
There is a new plague � a spore � that is spreading throughout the population. It causes people to suddenly burst into flames. When a nurse, 3.5 stars
There is a new plague � a spore � that is spreading throughout the population. It causes people to suddenly burst into flames. When a nurse, Harper, comes down with it, her husband leaves her and she is driven from her home as there are people out there who are hunting down and killing those with “Dragonscale�. They are marked with an elaborate tattoo when infected, so it can be hard to hide. Harper ends up in the woods with a group of other people hiding out with Dragonscale, including a man they call “The Fireman�. Things take a turn for the worse at this camp when their leader is seriously injured.
This was good. It was long, but it was good. I liked that Allie, the teenager, was portrayed realistically � at least I thought so. Good and bad, temperamental, like a teenager. We also had some crazy characters and some power-hungry ones. I do wonder if there will be a sequel. ...more
Carolyn Jessop was 35 years old, had 8 kids, and was one of 7 wives of Merrill Jessop when she took the chance to escape, with her kids, from4.5 stars
Carolyn Jessop was 35 years old, had 8 kids, and was one of 7 wives of Merrill Jessop when she took the chance to escape, with her kids, from the FLDS (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) community she was a part of for her entire life. This book tells her story of growing up in the community (or cult, as she later calls it), her escape with her kids, their adjustment to the outside world and the custody battle to hold on to her kids.
Wow! Wow! Of course, I've heard about the polygamous sect of the FLDS in the news, but it sounds like it's so much worse that I ever imagined. Listening to this book, I was presented with shock after shock after shock. The abuse that happened - child, spousal and animal abuse... physical, mental and emotional abuse... Not only parent to child, but wife to wife, and child to parent. There were so little freedoms even when she was growing up, it got even worse once Warren Jeffs took over as prophet (initially in his father's name, and moreso after his father died). I already have a few more biographies of former FLDS members on my tbr, and I'm going to try to get to them sooner rather than later....more
Jenna is the niece of the head of the Church of Scientology. From a young age � 6 years old, I think � her family was very high up in the Scientology Jenna is the niece of the head of the Church of Scientology. From a young age � 6 years old, I think � her family was very high up in the Scientology world, and this kept her mostly separated from her parents as she and her older brother were indoctrinated into the Church. It seems their lives were very different from what they call “public Scientologists�, who mostly live normal lives, but are part of the Church. They really didn’t get to be kids.
I really knew nothing about Scientology before reading this. Wow, crazy � the manipulation � of kids, no less! I guess you brainwash from a young age... There is a lot of terminology (and acronyms) that she has to define, and much of it I forgot, even as I read the words (or acronyms) later, but mostly had the gist of them (but there is also a glossary at the back). Of course, I would like to read more now. I think I have one celebrity biography on the tbr, so hopefully I can get to that one sooner rather than later. ...more
In 1969, Charles Manson and a few of his “family� committed multiple murders two nights in a row. Vincent Bugliosi was the DA who got them co3.5 stars
In 1969, Charles Manson and a few of his “family� committed multiple murders two nights in a row. Vincent Bugliosi was the DA who got them convicted and sentenced to death. This book looked at the murders, the investigation, and the trials.
I listened to the audio, and unfortunately, this ended up being an abridged version of the book. As I ask in all my reviews of abridged audios � why? Why not record the entire book? Anyway, I read this when I was in high school (a few decades ago!), and it wasn’t as creepy as I remember. I can’t say for sure if the abridged version was the reason for that, but in part, I’m certain not seeing the photos was part of that. Charles Manson was a creepy creepy looking man. Since this was abridged, I still want to reread the entire thing. Overall, it appeared that the abridgement was done fairly well, though I’d much rather read the entire book....more
This is based on Charles Manson and his cult in the late 1960s. We follow a young Evie, as she gets pulled into the cult by a group of girls she encouThis is based on Charles Manson and his cult in the late 1960s. We follow a young Evie, as she gets pulled into the cult by a group of girls she encounters.
I like the idea of the book, but the execution wasn’t so great for me. I didn’t like any of “the girls�, and didn’t “get� Evie’s enthrallment with Susanne or with any of it. Bunch of airheads they all were, I thought! I listened to the audio, and they certainly sounded that way. Not only that, but by the end, a bunch of psycho airheads. I guess I also don’t “get� the culture at the time. I didn’t dislike the story � it was ok. But, I certainly didn’t like any of the characters, nor did I understand their motivation for anything they did, beyond doing whatever-the-heck “Russle� wanted them to do. Sex, drugs� and not much in the way of rock’n’roll. ...more
It is Year 25, and the "waterless flood" had just happened. It appears that most humans have been wiped out. The story is told from three dif3.5 stars
It is Year 25, and the "waterless flood" had just happened. It appears that most humans have been wiped out. The story is told from three different viewpoints: Toby, Ren and Adam One. The book backs up in time to tell us how Toby and Ren got where they are now, and Adam One is the leader of a group, to which both Toby and Ren belonged at some point along the way, called God's Gardeners.
It was good. Something I thought was really cool in the audio was that each section of Adam One's, generally some type of sermon or speech, ended with a song. I assume the lyrics are printed in the book, but for the audio, they are actually sung to music, as a song. The audio had three different narrators, one for each of Toby, Ren and Adam One. I also liked all the "saints" worshipped by God's Gardeners (Dian Fossey, Terry Fox are two that I can recall off the top of my head). I have read Oryx and Crake, but remember nothing of it, so YOTF can be enjoyed without knowing what happens in O&C....more
Forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan is in Quebec for a short time to help out some nuns. They are digging up the bones of a nun from 100 years earliForensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan is in Quebec for a short time to help out some nuns. They are digging up the bones of a nun from 100 years earlier, as they want to make her a saint. While there, there is a fire that claims the lives of a number of people, so Tempe is called to help with that investigation. And there is more going on back home in North Carolina that she is called in to help with.
This is the second book in the series; I had accidentally ended up listening to an abridged version of the first book, so this one was nice to have more personal stuff happening, in addition to the cases she was working. I did figure out some of what might be happening before Tempe clued in, but I still really liked this one....more
“Saints� in the title refers to the religion, “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints� (LDS), or more specifically, fundamentalist LDS (FLDS) � t“Saints� in the title refers to the religion, “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints� (LDS), or more specifically, fundamentalist LDS (FLDS) � that is, the polygamous branch of the LDS/Mormons. This book includes info from various, mostly former, FLDS � that is, it includes some memoir-type info with regard to some people (again, mostly those who have left), but the second part talks about the law, courts, trials, and even that some governments look the other way (British Columbia in Canada seems the worst for that).
This book does focus more on the Canadian FLDS (and leader/prophet Winston Blackmore) than any other I’ve read, so that was interesting to me. I’m in Calgary, Alberta, and though I knew about Bountiful, BC (actually called Lister, which I didn’t know), I did not know that there is a small population of FLDS in Alberta, as well, mostly in/around Cardston. The FLDS is so intertwined, though, that it started with a history, and there is also much about the communities in Utah and Arizona, and of course, about Warren Jeffs.
I have read quite a bit about the FLDS so many names are already familiar to me in that I’ve read some of those memoirs. I know that a few of the Canadian FLDS had a trial wrap up in BC last year, so I’m going to look that up to refresh my memory on what happened there. This book was published in 2008, so things have happened since then (like the trial in BC). I found the second part of the book � the legal stuff � much more interesting than I expected, and found myself even more interested than in the first half of the book; I guess much of that was exasperation and frustration at all the laws they are breaking... and in some cases, flaunting (in addition to polygamy, there is, of course, all kinds of abuse, plus bilking the government (i.e. taxpayers) out of as much money as possible � they need all that extra income to feed their 15+ wives and 70+ children (ok, that might just be Blackmore with that many, but you get the picture)). ...more
The world has run out of oil. There has been illness, and not a lot of people are left. Robert is living in his small world in Union Grove, New York. The world has run out of oil. There has been illness, and not a lot of people are left. Robert is living in his small world in Union Grove, New York. People don’t get very far from where they live, anymore, without vehicles. There is a settlement closeby with a criminal leader, where most of the townspeople avoid. A religious cult has just moved into the abandoned high school. When Robert heads toward the closeby settlement with a friend to buy some supplies, things go terribly wrong and Robert’s young friend is shot and killed.
Despite starting off with a “bang� (so to speak), I found the book moved really slowly. It was ok. There was a bit of weirdness involving the religious cult toward the end, but the happenings picked up a little bit (with a horrible thing happening!). Overall, it was still an interesting read on people trying to get by on a much older way of life � without electricity and so many other modern conveniences as we are used to....more
Five years after Carolyn Jessop escaped from the FLDS (Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints... i.e. polygamist Mormons, where she had grown up and lived aFive years after Carolyn Jessop escaped from the FLDS (Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints... i.e. polygamist Mormons, where she had grown up and lived all of her 35 years), with her eight children, there was a raid on an FLDS ranch in Texas and over 400 women and children were removed. The majority of people at the ranch were Merril Jessop's family (Merril was Carolyn's FLDS husband and a “higher-up� in the cult at the time). The first half of this book recounts Carolyn's reactions, actions, testimonies, etc. following that raid. The second half of the book updates us on how she and her children fared after the escape.
I really liked this. There was a brief section in the middle, as she switched from discussing the raid/trial, etc to discussing her life outside the cult, where I wasn't quite as interested, but that picked up again for me after a bit. I listened to the audio (as I did for Escape) and I liked the narrator. She, and/or the subject matter, held my attention quite well. I do feel badly for her oldest daughter, Betty, who decided to return to the FLDS as soon as she turned 18. ...more
Elissa Wall grew up as an FLDS (Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints, the polygamous sect of the Mormons) member. As she grew up, she watched man4.5 stars
Elissa Wall grew up as an FLDS (Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints, the polygamous sect of the Mormons) member. As she grew up, she watched many of her older siblings either leave or be kicked out of the FLDS. When she was 14-years old, she was forced to marry her first cousin, Allen � a man she loathed. She begged from the start to get out of the marriage, both because she was too young and he was her cousin. “Prophet� (or the mouthpiece for the current prophet, ailing Roulon Jeffs � Warren’s father) Warren Jeffs didn’t listen or care. She continued to try to be released from this awful marriage as Allen continually abused her.
I’ve read a few books about the FLDS. This is another horrifying story, as Warren Jeffs took power from his father and things got worse and worse for the members, in addition to young Elissa. It seems that it’s hard enough for victims of abuse to come forward; there is so much additional pressure for FLDS in that they first need to get away - for many, against the wishes of their families and other loved ones, and of course, against their church and religious beliefs. I listened to the audio and thought the narrator did a good job....more
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