Additional information
by Jon Atack (Author)
Let's sell these people a Piece of Blue Sky: the new, unexpurgated, unabridged version of the classic history of L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology. Exposing Hubbard's false claims to be a war hero, a nuclear physicist, an explorer and a protégé of Eastern gurus, and showing the true malevolence of Scientology."Invaluable for its history and insight into the character of its founder, L. Ron Hubbard." Lawrence Wright, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, & the Prison of Belief "If you only have time to read one book about L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology, this landmark work is the one." Miles C. Ferguson"This is the best book I have read about Scientology." Steve Cannane, ABC Lateline, Australia"A Piece of Blue Sky is the standard reference among serious students of authoritarian belief systems. Newer books about Scientology have been released, but none reproduce the detail and narrative clarity of Atack's book." Christian Szurko, DialogCentre UK"Since 1976, I have met, interviewed and counseled countless former officials and ex-members of Scientology. Of everyone I have ever met, and every book I have ever read, Jon Atack is the definitive resource of all things 'Hubbard.'" Steven Hassan, author Freedom of Mind "When I first read Jon Atack's amazing book A Piece of Blue Sky it was a series of revelations. I had been on the receiving end of the false promises, heavy ethics pressures and greed-motivated financial stresses for decades without being able to reconcile these things with Hubbard's writings. Jon's book gave me considerable relief as to what was really going on behind the facade" Michael Pattinson, ex-OT 8."As someone who has been at the top of organized scientology, and seen much of what really went on there, I would like to express my appreciation for what Jon Atack has done to get out the truth when it was not safe to do it." Denise Brennan, former Watchdog Committee Member"Throughout my professional life, I have seen so many victims of poisonous ideologies from communism and scientology to Saddam Hussein's "return to faith" and Al Qaeda's "martyrdom". In my attempts to help those sufferers, I applied a lesson learned from Jon Atack's writings that freedom cannot be delivered, granted, or enforced. The true and complete freedom comes only with the freedom of mind and Jon Atack's book is the best guide for all who want to achieve that freedom." Professor Khapta Akhmedova, expert on terrorism"Honestly written, amazingly accurate, and beautifully assembled, which is why it stood the test." Gerry Armstrong, former Hubbard aide"This book is fascinating.... and fresh. I've read every expose and this one is on the top of my list." Paulette Cooper, author The Scandal of Scientology"A Piece of Blue Sky was my first introduction to the real truth about L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology. It's still the most reliable of the many books on the subject. No one seems to have worked harder to get things right by relying so carefully on rare and crucial documents that spell out the history of Scientology's abuses." Tony Ortega, former editor, Village Voice "All future scholarship on Scientology will build upon his contribution." Professor Stephen Kent"When I first read A Piece of Blue Sky, it became more than instrumental in helping me to understand my experiences and put them into a meaningful context that changed my life." Bonnie Woods, ex-OT3"Atack's book displays mastery of his material and subtlety of analysis and discussion that would be praised at the typical final doctoral examination." Richard de Mille, ghost author of Hubbard's Science of Survival"This book delivers like none other. We used it extensively during the fifteen years we helped families retrieve their loved ones from the cult of Scientology, and we still recommend it today to those who want to know the truth about Scientology." Jerry Whitfield and Hana Eltringham Whitfield
Author Biography
Jon Atack was a 'public' Scientologist for nine years. He trained as a counsellor and did the secret 'OT' levels, but left when he discovered the criminality which put eleven members, including the founder's wife, in prison. He spent years interviewing former members, digging out records and unmasking the many false claims of its founder, Ron Hubbard, before publishing A Piece of Blue Sky. Jon is the author of many papers on the subject of Scientology, and has been acknowledged as the leading authority on this subject by academics the world over. Jon has counselled hundreds of former members and survived extensive harassment from Scientology. He has four children, and one grandchild and lives in the heart of England, where, as Voltaire advised, he cultivates his garden.
