Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology
Written by Leah Remini and Rebecca Paley
Published on November 3, 2015 by Ballantine Books
228 pages
Memoir

Synopsis:

The outspoken actress, talk show host, and reality television star offers up a no-holds-barred memoir, including an eye-opening insider account of her tumultuous and heart-wrenching thirty-year-plus association with the Church of Scientology.

My Review:

Earlier this month I binged watched Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath and I was completely blown away. I have always been bewildered about the lure of Scientology. After watching Leah Remini’s series, I can’t believe all the abuses that happened to the former parishioners that she interviewed.  However, Ms. Remini didn’t go in great detail on the series about her own experiences with Scientology. For that reason, I quickly purchased her book and read it in two days.

Ms. Remini tells her incredible story with an easy flow that really captivates you. Her stories are really unbelievable and it amazes me that such a strong woman can be pulled into the craziness of Scientology. But that’s what a cult does…they brainwash you from a very young age. She tells of her earlier experiences with Sea Org which really wasn’t for her. Her humor flows through her stories where you don’t just cringe the entire time you are reading. There were many times that I was laughing at loud and shaking my head at the same time. From signing “billion year” contracts to paying millions of dollars to get “cleared”, she goes on and on about the audacity of Scientology.

One of the most incredible statistics Ms. Remini provided was the actual membership of Scientology. Through of its propaganda one would believe that its membership is well into the millions. No, she estimates it to be just 35,000 worldwide. This is proves how successful the Scientology propaganda machine is. I was really astounded at that low number; especially with the likes of Tom Cruise and John Travolta as members.

Tom Cruise is mentioned quite a bit throughout the book and particularly his wedding to Katie Holmes. This event was the beginning of the end of Ms. Remini’s relationship with Scientology and she only asked one simple question, “Hey, where’s Shelly?” She basically ruined the wedding with that question. But it wasn’t so simple. The Scientology leaders from that point on made it there mission to make Ms. Remini never ask that question again. To this day, no can answer that simple question. Where is Shelly Miscavige?

Leah Remini is an incredible brave person for telling her story. Others who has expressed their concerns about Scientology have been attacked via defamation and lawsuits. Her book has started much need conversations on why Scientology should be classified as a “church.” It’s a cult and should be treated as such. As she preached throughout the book, the IRS needs to take another detailed look at this organization. They shouldn’t be able to hide their abuses by claiming “religious freedom.”

Thank you, Leah Remini for braving the attacks from other Scientologists and I hope you continue your crusade!