A Billion Years: My Escape from a Life in the Highest Ranks of Scientology

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 2,406 ratings

Price: 16.4

Last update: 01-11-2025


About this item

One of the highest-ranking defectors from Scientology exposes the secret inner workings of the powerful organization in this remarkable memoir that is “not only a cautionary tale but also an inspiring story of resilience” (Leah Remini, New York Times bestselling author).

Mike 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.

Still, 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.

Yet 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.

In 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.

“An intensely personal, cathartic memoir of blind allegiance, betrayal, and liberation” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), A Billion Years reveals the dark, dystopian truth about Scientology as never before.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.


Top reviews from the United States

  • jane
    5.0 out of 5 stars WOW-- INCREDIBLE READ !
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2022
    Whether you are interested in the inner workings of Scientology, the general dynamics of cult control, or just a fascinating real life adventure story, this is a great read. Very well written, it carries you along with the author in his amazing journey in a way that is hard to put this book down. A book well worth reading, right to the very heart felt end.
    Because the author is focusing on his own personal journey, he offers a clear understanding of how , step by step, one gets trapped into an environment of mind control. And then the gradual process of waking up from it. What an incredible journey !
    As many already well know, Scientology does not take kindly to ANY criticism or exposure. And due to their "fair game" policy they will do ANYTHING to discredit, harass (on going) and destroy any critics. As such, those who have been exposing this destructive organization are to be commended !! In spite of that
    harassment, there are now hundreds of ex-Scientologists from all over the world who have been speaking out and they all tell basically the same horrific stories. Too many to discount the truth they tell.

    The hilarious part to me is that in the very act of harassing these people, Scientology shows the world
    the very truth of what these people are saying !! Scientology is clearly very afraid of the truth being told. What honest organization does that !!!!
    So in that very attempt, I found it pretty laughable that before Mike's book became available, Scientology was already putting out "fake" books ( on Amazon no less) under various author's names to try and divert
    people away from getting his book. Their aggressive policies only seem to backfire at this point since
    by now so many already know what they do. I'm sure they will also try trolling the reviews.

    But humor aside, Scientology does clearly do all they can to make life hell for these brave people ,
    which Mike ( among many) well exposes.
    As such, I can only give my highest respect to Mike Rinder and all the many people who have been
    willing to continue to speak out in spite of having to endure Scientology's onslaught. Pure evil.

    The biggest travesty in my mind is that Scientology is being allowed Church tax exempt status. ( The book talks about how that all came about.) This means they don't have to be accountable as they corruptly amass
    vast amounts of money. Much of it spent on lawyers, private investigators and on whatever it takes
    to "silence" defectors.....as well as their leader's luxurious whims. And that is our tax dollars at work.
    I have to wonder why the IRS ignores the obvious facts and continues to allow this sham to go on !!
    Greatest respect to Mike Rinder and all the others willing to continue this fight for truth.
    do speak out are indeed brave souls
  • Fluffyluggage
    5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling read! Fascinating, insightful, tragic, real
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2022
    I've been familiar with Mike Rinder for a number of years, since seeing him with Leah Remini on Scientology and the Aftermath. I was fascinated with their passion and compassion, and I was intrigued by how two incredibly intelligent individuals from two very different walks of life could choose what I saw as such an odd path through it. Reading this book, I see many stories recounted that were told at least in part through the TV show, but this really gets into detail, and Rinder discusses his childhood indoctrination into Scientology, of which I was completely unaware. I'm so shocked, even knowing much of the background and many of the stories, about what I've read here. I'm always intrigued by cults abd their leaders, including how people can become completely indoctrinated into their lifestyle and brainwashed to believe even the craziest of ideas. But this gives a raw, real, and completely honest look at how it's possible to be a normal person whp thinks for himself and has never had reason NOT to believe anything else. I'm now looking to read many other memoirs by ex-scientology members, because I am beyond impressed at the strength it must take to walk away... this is a must-read for a Billion different reasons, and well worth every penny! Thank you, Mike Rinder, for your work in becoming a Whistle-blower. Please keep up that life-changing work.
  • Jermark
    5.0 out of 5 stars Chronological and objective
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2022
    Mike Rinder is a modern-day hero.
    Although a lot of the stories in this book have already been shared by Mike Rinder on Afterlife, the Fair Game podcast, etc., there are definitely great nuggets you won’t get anywhere else except this book.
    For example, Rinder does not talk often about his early life and upbringing prior to joining the sea org. This is all laid out well in the book and gave me great insight to his entire life.
    I love Rinder’s chronological and objective fact-based approach. Instead of talking about his own feelings, emotions or thoughts, his factually based stories allow your emotions as the reader to flow through his story. It’s clear Rinder is a thinker more than a feeler, which makes his writing style easy to read. As a logical thinker, I really got a lot out of this book. Once I read it all, I wanted more, so I also listened to the audiobook read brilliantly by Rinder. I can only hope a movie will be made someday!
  • G Raines
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Story of Strength and Courage
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2022
    Heartbreaking, at times, to read of the pathological cruelties committed by Scientology cult leaders. It's almost unbelievable the power the corrupt and opportunistic can have on trusting, impressionistic youth. Children are taken away from parents, people disappear without a trace, young are bullied and humiliated with impunity. This is a worthwhile book, even though, for me, the story did drag a little in the middle. Overall, it is an important read that illuminates clearly the tactics abusive people use to remain dominant and to impoverish their victims.

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