The first part of this book is about L. Ron Hubbard, and his success in formulating a new religion, and carrying out his somewhat paranoid desires of domestic espionage. Reminds me a lot of Max Weber's treatment of 'institutional charisma', as well as a look at LRH's personal paranoia, yet staggering creativity, to create a theology from whole cloth. 
 The second is an evenhanded look at the more sensational and deranged behavior of the church post 1989. David Miscavige's behavior is Maoist, with the sometimes violent abuse of his subordinates (e.g. making them lick bathroom floors) to making his flock sever relations with their family. The Church, of course, categorically denies such allegations, and the number of footnotes beginning, "The Church of Scientology denies..." is nearly constant. 
 Wright is not one for demonization, and his journalistic approach worked well with his previous study of al-Qaeda. Here he understands that the appearance of systematizing the world and his anti-psychiatry have provided a tempting refuge for the half-million followers of the church. The listing of tasks, or Levels, for achieving enlightenment, is a viscerally satisfying process. It might be like the 12 steps for A-A, or achievements for video games, or checking books off your to-read list. However, he does not shy away from the administrative abuses of the church, and the questions of what a paranoid insular movement can do when separated from society.