This was a great companion read to Jenna Miscavige Hill's Beyond Belief. Wright covers everything from Hubbard's biography and the supposed events that led to his "discovery" of Dianetics to how that evolved into Scientology as we know it today. 
 Of course, anything remotely scandalous is asterisked, noting a denial from the Church of Scientology, Tom Cruise's lawyers, etc. These range from the lies Hubbard's told about his past, to the imprisonment of high-ranking Scientologists threatening to flee the church, to the violence against the staff by the current leader, David Miscavige. 
 Some of the allegations are incredible, but so many people exiting the church with the same stories make it all quite compelling. I find it particularly remarkable that Miscavige is allowed to remain so comfortably at the top of the Scientology empire given what he's been accused of. He's protected by the believers, certainly, but also a hell of a lot of money. And perhaps that's one of the most frightening things that I took away from the book. Miscavige has used Scientology to insulate himself with so much wealth that he seems untouchable. 
 The church can refute the allegations all they like, but as the author points out, if even a fraction of the stories are true, it's a wonder that Scientology stands at all. I wonder how long it can exist.