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My Billion Year Contract Hardcover – 12 Sept. 2009

by Nancy Many (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 151 ratings
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  1. Print length
    358 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Xlibris Corp
  4. Publication date
    12 Sept. 2009
  5. ISBN-10
    1441566880
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1441566881
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Xlibris Corp (12 Sept. 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 358 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1441566880
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1441566881
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 151 ratings

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
151 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book an engaging read that provides insightful information about Scientology. They describe the personal story as heartwarming and heartbreaking in parts. The book provides a fascinating expose of an insidious organization.

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ReadabilityInsightHeartwarming story
6 customers mention ‘Readability’6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and interesting for those interested in religious cults. They describe it as a well-written account of one person's experiences in the cult.

"An excellent expose of a most insidious organisation, great book, very moving and my heart goes out to those who have had similar experiences,40..." Read more

"...This was still an eye-opener though! It's a well written account of one person's experiences in the cult, and then trying to get out of it..." Read more

"...She didn't get the worst of it, but it was a good read!" Read more

"...Worth the read to get a first person view of the day to day workings but don't expect any big revelations about the decisions made at the higher..." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Insight’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides interesting insights into Scientology and its techniques. They describe it as an excellent expose of an insidious organization.

"An excellent expose of a most insidious organisation, great book, very moving and my heart goes out to those who have had similar experiences,40..." Read more

"This book is an interesting insight into the techniques used to keep people in a situation which they can see is detrimental to their health but..." Read more

"...Very revealing and fascinating insight into Scientology .." Read more

"A very interesting insight into scientology and it's members who struggle to get away from, not its religious teachings as such, but it's..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Heartwarming story’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the story heartwarming and personal. They describe it as an unbelievable, well-written story about a woman's crazy Scientology life.

"...Well written and heartwrenching in parts, why did she not just refuse to do what they wanted her to do. Very interesting book." Read more

"Unbelievable story of a woman's crazy life in the Scientology church...." Read more

"Not quite what I was expecting but certainly worth a read for a very personal story..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Nick Rabb
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 January 2013
    Verified Purchase
    An excellent expose of a most insidious organisation, great book, very moving and my heart goes out to those who have had similar experiences,40 years ago I was lucky to get out after 2 weeks, that was quite enough.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Mike N
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 April 2012
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    I think most people know the reputation of the Scientologists, and I've read other literature around them before coming to this one, so I was familiar with some of the more "way out" beliefs that they promote.

    This was still an eye-opener though!

    It's a well written account of one person's experiences in the cult, and then trying to get out of it. And make no mistake, getting out is not easy. If this story wasn't true you'd almost think it was too improbable to base a book on, but you will come away hoping that your own family members never get involved in this destructive cult.

    A fascinating read, for anybody with an interest in religious cults, and (presumably) for anybody with a relative in the Scientologists that is wondering why they no longer get to see their own family.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Lucy
    5.0 out of 5 stars My favourite book on Scientology experiences!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 September 2017
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    What this woman went through was pure hell. I've read many Scientology books, and her experience was the worst, closely followed by Blown for Good, which really exposes Miscavige for who he is and the abuses at Int Gold Base, Hemet. My next favourite book was Leah Remini's which is enlightening about Cruise and some celebrities. She didn't get the worst of it, but it was a good read!
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  • JMcG
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite what I was expecting but certainly worth a read for a very personal story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 February 2020
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    This book is an interesting insight into the techniques used to keep people in a situation which they can see is detrimental to their health but from which they have no desire to leave.

    If you have read anything else about scientology you probably won't be too surprised by too much in this book. The control levels, the financial cost, the paranoia are all highlighted in this book bit what jumps out is the personal anguish of the author. You feel her confusion at her treatment, you know how confined she feels mentally and physically.

    There is a good attempt made to be balance in the authors telling of her story but some of it still feels like a post fact justification rather than an expression of genuine appreciation for a lifestyle which ultimately led to a breakdown.

    Worth the read to get a first person view of the day to day workings but don't expect any big revelations about the decisions made at the higher levels of this organisation. There are other, better sources if that is what you are looking for
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  • Ita
    5.0 out of 5 stars Slaves in the 21st century!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 March 2014
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    Very moving first hand expose on life inside this awful cult - incredible to believe these dictators and deceivers are still legit!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • HFoz
    4.0 out of 5 stars Just wow
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 January 2013
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    Imagine signing a contract that pledges commitment for a billion years! This candid account takes you through the authors life to the point where signing the contract felt like the right thing for the author, and follows her journey to leave afterwards. Very revealing and fascinating insight into Scientology ..
    2 people found this helpful
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  • 12stringbassist
    4.0 out of 5 stars I still am not sure what Scientology is supposed to ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 October 2015
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    I still am not sure what Scientology is supposed to be about apart from aliens taking over the body. The money they demand and the cruel punishments they dish out are unbelievable. Well written and heartwrenching in parts, why did she not just refuse to do what they wanted her to do. Very interesting book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Anna Curran
    2.0 out of 5 stars Got bored and couldnt finish it
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 August 2013
    This book started off really well, I was like wow this lady's mind has been warped. As the book went on it seemed more like a diary written with the intention of scientologists reading it and not thinking badly of her. I couldnt force myself to read beyond the first half because I got bored, but maybe it's more interesting in the second half. Snoozefest for me.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • shirley pare
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on 22 May 2015
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    a book that takes you into the cult of scientology, a scary cult and definitely NOT a religion
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  • L. Jameson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and Informative!
    Reviewed in the United States on 1 January 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I have never been compelled to share my opinion about a book before now. This book exposes Scientology for what it really is - a business (NOT a church) that is all about money and mind control. It's about smoke and mirrors, deep-cover spying on anyone who is critical of Scientology. Innocent victims are sucked into their group with manipulative and deceptive practices. People are pushed to their limits financially, emotionally and physically. Along the way, many people have lost their minds AND their lives.

    Members are forbidden to have contact with others who have been identified by Scientology as "suppressives" - people who are thought to be working against the common good. This can even include immediate family members. Ex-members fear the consequences of speaking out about any trauma they've endured. Not many people have the resources to go up against this organization. Furthermore, as the author describes, the retribution alone has been devastating to many. Scientology has the resources to sabatoge someone's reputation and/or career. When someone has been traumatized to the point of a psychotic break, they are forbidden to seek traditional psychiatric help (Tom Cruise has certainly adopted this belief) and instead are instructed to take mega doses of vitamins and supplements. If this doesn't help, the people are basically ostracized and receive no further help from Scientology.

    I was absolutely fascinated with this memoir. This is one brave woman to endure what she did, come out on the other side and continue to provide help for those who have suffered her same fate. I'm not sure I could be as forgiving as she appears to be but I certainly admire her. In fact, I'm surprised this book was even published, knowing the possible repercussions. Scientology has always been a mysterious organization to me. This memoir is one of the most enlightening and riveting I've ever read.
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  • Daniel
    4.0 out of 5 stars Psychological Damage
    Reviewed in the United States on 30 March 2010
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    Overall this is an interesting book and I certainly don't regret reading it, although I am not likely to read it a second time as I did with The Complex: An Insider Exposes the Covert World of the Church of Scientology. Whereas `The Complex' really has the flow of a novel, `Billion' feels much more like a personal account. As for the `physical' characteristics of the book, it uses a fairly big font and the chapters are generally quite short, so it's easy and pleasant to read.

    The story in `My Billion Year Contract' revolves around the fact that the author's mind basically `cracked' under the auditing process done by Scientology. She tries to convey to the reader how that might feel. Not an easy task to say the least and I personally think she does a pretty good job of it. She also describes in detail what happens to people sent to the RPF (Rehabilitation Project Force) as she personally went through the process. `The Complex' mentions the RPF but does not describe it in detail as the author was able to avoid it. For those not familiar with the term, the RPF is a sort of Scientology `labor camp' for people deemed unsatisfactory. The brutal conditions are described making you wonder how something like that can legally take place in a country like America.

    One aspect of the book I did not like as much is the abundant inclusion of writings that come directly from the author's diary (journal) written at the time the events took place. This starts at about mid-point in the book. One could definitely say that the inclusion of such writings makes the account that much more personal and can help the reader understand her frame of mind and the extent of the `damage' done from the auditing. But for me, the writing style in the journal just did not grab me. I'm not faulting the book for this, it just wasn't my cup of tea if you will, but I could see how some people would consider the inclusion of such writings as a plus. You be the judge. Simply be warned that some chapters (20, 30 and 31 for example) are nearly all from her diary.

    Another minor criticism would be the need for a bit more editing should a revised edition ever come out. To conclude, I feel that `My Billion Year Contract' and `The Complex' actually compliment each other as they don't overlap so much. I definitely recommend both books to anyone interested in Scientology (at least its darker side).
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  • Rachel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely mandatory reading ! Lucid and Gripping!
    Reviewed in the United States on 25 March 2013
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    As others have said, this is a gripping and lucid personal narrative, written with absolute authenticity. I have read enough about this cult to
    observe the similarities, as insiders and former insiders tell their stories, point to clear and true telling of the insidious practices of this
    fake church. The author is a very good writer, able to clearly articulate, in a way that could challenge the best of us, a whole spectrum
    of feelings, scenarios, and memoirs from her more than 25 year history among Scientologists, at both high and low levels of the little scientology universe.

    The book is also one of the most amazingly even handed relevations of insider experience with a damaging cult- there is no axe to grind,
    just a process-oriented story and personal history to relate.

    The old time religions would often say that " satan comes in many tempting guises " - and yes, they may just be quite right when it comes
    to the sum total of Scientology. For all the "potential" the author wishes to explore, hold on to, and even continue believing in, the goodness
    just isn't there when it comes to Scientology itself, although it may be there among the original inner intentions of those innocent seekers
    who so very quickly and ruthlessly are caught up it it's web. I think in the end she was coming to see it was such intentions to align with, and not the cult( and its machinations) itself.
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  • Ingrid G.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Sobering
    Reviewed in the United States on 23 August 2010
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    The previous reviews said it all really. This is a former staffer's account of what her and her husband experienced at the hands of Scientology. Extremely unpleasant conditions for a group that wants ro make the world a better place. I walk away seeing this as a cult and pyramid scheme. I know the author says throughout that there was some good experiences with her courses and parts of her career, but I never understood what that was. Everything she learned business wise could have been found in college or other work experiences. The group prays on the weaker willed and exploits them based on the account told here. I kept trying to imagine myself doing what she was told to do...and can't. I am stubborn and would never go along with the stupid rules and rehab they subject staffers to. Basically, she describes a working class designed to be slaves for Scientology - sold as rehab. I am sorry people put themselves in these cults and are exploited...it's so hard for me to understand being involved in it. This was an interesting read and account of her experiences. I agree the book could have been edited better for flow. There also could have been a better description of the mythology behind the group along with more descriptions on the auditing process.
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