{"product_id":"book-g7rm","title":"A Billion Years","description":"\u003cb\u003eThis explosive memoir from former Scientology executive Mike Rinder reveals the secret inner workings of the powerful organization and his remarkable escape from its highest ranks\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003ethat is “not only a cautionary tale but also an inspiring story of resilience” (Leah Remini, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author).\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMike Rinder’s parents began taking him to their local Scientology center when he was five years old. After high school, he signed a billion-year contract and was admitted into Scientology’s elite inner circle, the Sea Organization. Brought to founder L. Ron Hubbard’s yacht and promised training in Hubbard’s most advanced techniques, Rinder was instead put to work swabbing the decks.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eStill, Rinder bought into the doctrine that his personal comfort was secondary to the higher purpose of Hubbard’s world-saving mission, swiftly rising through the ranks. In the 1980s, Rinder became Scientology’s international spokesperson and the head of its powerful Office of Special Affairs. He helped negotiate Scientology’s pivotal tax exemption from the IRS and engaged with the organization’s prominent celebrity members, including Tom Cruise, Lisa Marie Presley, and John Travolta.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eYet Rinder couldn’t shake a nagging feeling that something was amiss—Hubbard’s promises remained unfulfilled at his death, and his successor, David Miscavige, was a ruthless and vindictive man who did not hesitate to confine many top Scientologists, Mike among them, to a makeshift prison known as the Hole.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eIn 2007, at the age of fifty-two, Rinder finally escaped Scientology. Overnight, he became one of the organization’s biggest public enemies. He was followed, hacked, spied on, and tracked. But he refused to be intimidated and today helps people break free of Scientology.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“An intensely personal, cathartic memoir of blind allegiance, betrayal, and liberation” (\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review), \u003ci\u003eA Billion Years\u003c\/i\u003e reveals the dark, dystopian truth about Scientology as never before.","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster Audio","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49346725642544,"sku":"BDg7rm","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio CD","offer_id":49346725675312,"sku":"10g7rm","price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/g7rm-Square-cover.jpg?v=1771662943","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-g7rm","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}