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The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper
HOW THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY TRIED TO DESTROY THE WOMAN WHO DARED TO INVESTIGATE IT
'One of the most remarkable and unlikely narratives in the sprawling field of Scientology exposés...compulsively readable' Nathan Rabin, The A.V. Club
‘A page-turner packed with barely believable facts. The details are worthy of John le Carré’ Jon Atack
‘A brilliant exposition of how a child who escaped the Nazis grew up to be hunted by the Church of Scientology’ John Sweeney
In 1971 Paulette Cooper wrote a scathing book about the Church of Scientology. Desperate to shut the book down, Scientology unleashed on her one of the most sinister personal campaigns the free world has ever known.
For years, Paulette was harassed, stalked, followed and sued. She had people sent undercover to befriend her, was entrapped by private investigators in the pay of Scientology, and was even framed as an alleged mailer of bomb threats. Her life was ruined, and she was driven to the brink of suicide.
The story of Paulette’s terrifying ordeal is told in full for the first time in The Unbreakable Miss Lovely. It reveals the shocking details of the darkest chapter in Scientology’s checkered history, which ended with senior members in prison, and the organization’s reputation permanently damaged.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2015
511 people are currently reading
2161 people want to read
About the author
Tony Ortega
5 books19 followersAnthony "Tony" Ortega is an American blogger who is best known for his daily blog The Underground Bunker. He was executive editor of The Raw Story from 2013 until 2015. Previously, he had been a journalist at the New Times LA, the editor-in-chief of the Broward-Palm Beach New Times from 2005 to 2007 and the editor-in-chief of The Village Voice from 2007 to 2012. In 2015 he was executive editor of the YouTube channel TheLipTV. He is author of the non-fiction book The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, about journalist Paulette Cooper and the Church of Scientology's attempts to silence her after her own book was published.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
May 31, 2015
A Tiger never changes its stripes!
Having lived through SCIENTOLOGY MYSELF, this book really filled in facts and details I never knew before. Scientology harassed and spied on me for many years well after Paulette Cooper's harassment. Scientology never changes its policies and practices no matter what they say. They remain a paranoid, vindictive cult that has reduced itself into a money making machine. Major kudos to the author Tony Ortega.
Having lived through SCIENTOLOGY MYSELF, this book really filled in facts and details I never knew before. Scientology harassed and spied on me for many years well after Paulette Cooper's harassment. Scientology never changes its policies and practices no matter what they say. They remain a paranoid, vindictive cult that has reduced itself into a money making machine. Major kudos to the author Tony Ortega.
November 21, 2015
A fascinating read by an excellent writer--but so much more. Deserves all the plaudits already in these reviews. I only want to add my 2 cents as an eye witness from the periphery (I was a naïve kid sort of sipping the laced Scientology Kool Aid in the late sixties and seventies) to many of the events written about here and acquainted with many of the people named. I can attest that Tony does not exaggerate in this book. If anything, he takes something off the punches that this organization, which has cynically posed as a church and gotten away with murder literally, rightly deserves. At considerable personal risk, Tony has done more than his part to warn the public of the danger Scientology poses to anyone who falls into their clutches. They will promise anything to get to your wallet and spare no treachery to keep you captive once they have you. Thanks to Tony and many other intrepid writers and media folks, we have all been warned. Thank you from one who tried it unawares and paid a steep price.
August 8, 2016
This was amazing. Somebody better be trying to turn this into a movie. Leah Remini, Paul Haggis, Katie Holmes, I'm talking to you. This could be huge!
Although people would probably find the plot too unbelievable.
Although people would probably find the plot too unbelievable.
August 10, 2018
3.5. The story was a 10/10, unbelievable what Scientology put this journalist through. Scientology is like dramatic high school mean girls who threaten to hurt themselves if they don't get their way. Except they'll make it look like YOU did it and then everyone will hate you - your parents and your friends and your life will be OVER! And they get people to pretend to be your friends while learning all your secrets so they can tell them to the world while stealing your clothes and your paper. And threatening to mail a bomb to Henry Kissinger and then saying it was you! Typical bratty stuff!
The writing left something to be desired, though. Some pages are almost entirely names, dates and dry facts with very little narrative structure. Elsewhere it's completely readable which made these fact sheets that much harder to slog through. Worth it overall though, there was so much I didn't know. Charles Manson was big into Scientology for awhile (lolol). And how does Scientology always manage to get people hired in any job position, any company, even high profile, anytime they want/need information or to steal documents from that company?! They should be putting all their energy and capacity for evildoing into headhunting and recruiting, they are masters.
The writing left something to be desired, though. Some pages are almost entirely names, dates and dry facts with very little narrative structure. Elsewhere it's completely readable which made these fact sheets that much harder to slog through. Worth it overall though, there was so much I didn't know. Charles Manson was big into Scientology for awhile (lolol). And how does Scientology always manage to get people hired in any job position, any company, even high profile, anytime they want/need information or to steal documents from that company?! They should be putting all their energy and capacity for evildoing into headhunting and recruiting, they are masters.
September 2, 2016
The Unbreakable Miss Lovely
is a fascinating and thrilling read. The book is well-written, thoroughly researched, and a detailed account of Paulette Cooper's harrowing ordeal. Paulette is a strong, likeable woman although gullible and vulnerable at times; she falls for tricks so obvious you feel exasperated yet forever sympathetic of her situation. An absolutely thrilling book whether you know of the Church of Scientology or nothing at all.
November 22, 2021
Katie says: The Unbreakable Miss Lovely is a book about journalist Paulette Cooper, who began reporting on The Church of Scientology's activities in the 1970s. Because of her reporting and the book she published in 1971, "The Scandal of Scientology", she was followed by private investigators, harassed, and sued 19 times by the Church, ultimately leading to an indictment by the U.S. Federal government when she was framed for mailing bomb threats.
Only when the United States government raided the Church of Scientology, it was discovered that the Church had been part of the one of the largest infiltrations of the United States' government, infiltrating over 136 government agencies in order to destroy documents about the church and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. During the government's raid on the church of Scientology, however, evidence was found to exonerate Paulette Cooper and expose the sinister campaign the organization had launched against her.
This book is great for both those who are already interested in the Church of Scientology, and a great introduction to those who are new but would like to learn more about the organization.
Only when the United States government raided the Church of Scientology, it was discovered that the Church had been part of the one of the largest infiltrations of the United States' government, infiltrating over 136 government agencies in order to destroy documents about the church and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. During the government's raid on the church of Scientology, however, evidence was found to exonerate Paulette Cooper and expose the sinister campaign the organization had launched against her.
This book is great for both those who are already interested in the Church of Scientology, and a great introduction to those who are new but would like to learn more about the organization.
April 1, 2021
Five-star content that would benefit from a pitiless copy-edit. Some of the chronological back-and-forth seems to serve no purpose, and the large chunks of narrative summary get tedious after a while. However, the depth of research here is just astounding.
I recommend this as a "deep-cut" work of research into Scientology rather than a starting point. It will make more sense and have more impact if you start with, for example, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief.
I recommend this as a "deep-cut" work of research into Scientology rather than a starting point. It will make more sense and have more impact if you start with, for example, Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief.
August 9, 2016
Incredibly depressing, even though things turned out okay for Paulette in the end. Like so many others before and after her, Paulette Cooper investigated the many, many credible claims of abuse and craziness inside the Church of Scientology, and had her life almost destroyed for her trouble. Though I'd read some overviews of the types of harassment and litigation Scientology had visited on its most inconvenient critics before, the play-by-play breakdown of just how Scientology sought to discredit Paulette and even convict her of a bomb threat against Kissinger (!) was beyond even what I thought they attempted. The old school Guardian's Office wasn't messing around.
I find Scientology endlessly interesting in ways that can unfortunately sometimes ignore the human cost of Hubbard's greed and ambition, and this book was an excellent reminder of the lives that were callously trampled because he could not abide people taking a look inside without the safety line of their auditing-provided blackmail. The day when it's razed to the ground and the earth salted can't come soon enough, so we can interact with it only in history books. Paulette Cooper was a fascinating, badass, iron-willed opponent to Scientology, and helped break the back of their ambitions, but the best way to honor her, it seems, is to ensure that we never need to create cases like hers again.
I find Scientology endlessly interesting in ways that can unfortunately sometimes ignore the human cost of Hubbard's greed and ambition, and this book was an excellent reminder of the lives that were callously trampled because he could not abide people taking a look inside without the safety line of their auditing-provided blackmail. The day when it's razed to the ground and the earth salted can't come soon enough, so we can interact with it only in history books. Paulette Cooper was a fascinating, badass, iron-willed opponent to Scientology, and helped break the back of their ambitions, but the best way to honor her, it seems, is to ensure that we never need to create cases like hers again.
March 6, 2016
The Unbreakable Miss Lovely was a most interesting book. I could hardly put it down. I knew very little about the Church of Scientology apart from the quote by L. Ron Hubbard to his then wife Polly, "You don't get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, you start a religion."
I very much enjoyed Tony Ortega's style of writing and I was engrossed in his portrayal of this sinister and chilling organization. It is almost unbelievable the lengths that they went to bring down Paulette Cooper, almost to the point of suicide. I was glad to read that she found happiness and was able to live without the threat of the Scientologist pursuing her.
I am giving this book 5 stars and would be very interested in reading other works by Tony Ortega
I very much enjoyed Tony Ortega's style of writing and I was engrossed in his portrayal of this sinister and chilling organization. It is almost unbelievable the lengths that they went to bring down Paulette Cooper, almost to the point of suicide. I was glad to read that she found happiness and was able to live without the threat of the Scientologist pursuing her.
I am giving this book 5 stars and would be very interested in reading other works by Tony Ortega
April 14, 2016
Essential reading if you take an interest in Scientology's shady activities.
For some years now Tony Ortega has been pretty much THE journalist writing about Scientology. For his first book he has chosen two of the organization's darkest chapters; Their more than a decade long attack on writer Paulette Cooper and "Operation Snow White" a shockingly bold and far-reaching program of stealing documents from US government offices.
I'd still say the most important book to read on this subject is Russell Miller's "Bare Faced Messiah". but this is a very close second.
(If you enjoy this book have a look on Youtube for Tony Ortega's many appearances on news channel "The Lip" discussing scientology news.)
For some years now Tony Ortega has been pretty much THE journalist writing about Scientology. For his first book he has chosen two of the organization's darkest chapters; Their more than a decade long attack on writer Paulette Cooper and "Operation Snow White" a shockingly bold and far-reaching program of stealing documents from US government offices.
I'd still say the most important book to read on this subject is Russell Miller's "Bare Faced Messiah". but this is a very close second.
(If you enjoy this book have a look on Youtube for Tony Ortega's many appearances on news channel "The Lip" discussing scientology news.)
October 30, 2015
Wonderful account of what Scientology got away with
This books account of Scientology's relentless persuit of one journalist who dared to expose their practices is such an eye opener. It made me angry that even after everything they did including faking evidence that she sent the "church" of scientology a bomb threat and constantly providing fake "friends" to spy on her, including one who moved in with her, she was never really compensated for what was done to her.
A great read and recommended for anyone with an interest in this awful organisation.
This books account of Scientology's relentless persuit of one journalist who dared to expose their practices is such an eye opener. It made me angry that even after everything they did including faking evidence that she sent the "church" of scientology a bomb threat and constantly providing fake "friends" to spy on her, including one who moved in with her, she was never really compensated for what was done to her.
A great read and recommended for anyone with an interest in this awful organisation.
June 15, 2015
Good read
Well written, thorough and clearly well researched, book about one of the many targets of the notorious Church of Scientology and their harassment and ruination.
Well written, thorough and clearly well researched, book about one of the many targets of the notorious Church of Scientology and their harassment and ruination.
June 16, 2025
genuinely horrifying the amount of power they had and how easy it was for them to break into the FBI and stuff. An essential read for anyone who thinks Scientology has anything good to offer.
January 20, 2016
It is unbelievable what one person is able to endure, to survive and Paulette Cooper had more than her share of torment at the hands of Scientology. Up until fairly recently the only thing I could've told you about Scientology was that a bunch of celebrities belong to it. Thanks to celebrities like Tom Cruise the truth about Scientology is coming out. However long before that it was shrouded in secrecy. Enter Paulette Cooper. After taking a couple of courses to see what friends of hers saw in the church, she soon realized the truth of what was happening and began a series of articles that would turn into a book. Her life would become hell. Well written and well paced, the plot against Paulette unfolds. Told with an eye toward Paulette's perspective we watch as smear campaigns are run against her, she is followed, and soon realizes that she can trust no one as it seems even her friends are out to get her. Scientology soon destroys Paulette's health and peace of mind, she is indicted for sending bomb threats, and has so many lawsuits filed against her they are hard to keep track of. Others try to speak out but it seems that the church is too powerful and those who do find themselves in a similar position to Paulette Cooper. Eventually the tide turns in her favour. In an ensuing raid Paulette is stunned to learn the true extent of the plots against her. Some of those she trusted the most were with the church and despite all that she will not be out of the woods just yet. The book brings perspective not just to Scientology of the 1970's, but also how much the public has changed their opinions. Many high profile members have left and told their stories, even those who are currently involved have spoken to the press and made others realize how crazy it all seems. (See Tom Cruise Scientology video and his interview with Matt Lauer, among others) and what was once a powerful force that others were afraid of has been pushed back a bit and others are seeing Scientology for what it really is. As for Paulette herself, she is truly a remarkable and brave woman, an unbreakable spirit a hero and survivor in so many ways. From her tragic childhood in Europe to her torment as an adult in America, she has not only survived it all but thrived and appears to have found some happiness and peace in her life at last.
January 8, 2021
Even though I know some of the people in the text, I believe I can say in a manner without undue prejudice or bias that the author presents his evidence very well, writes compellingly, makes an excellent case and generally has written a very fine book.
(This review is based on the (2018) Kindle edition; I do own a printed edition but most of my stuff is in storage and do not have access to it- I will read that printed edition at some near-future date also when I do (I very much enjoy re-reading, in any case).)
(This review is based on the (2018) Kindle edition; I do own a printed edition but most of my stuff is in storage and do not have access to it- I will read that printed edition at some near-future date also when I do (I very much enjoy re-reading, in any case).)
January 31, 2021
Wow. I had never heard of Paulette Cooper before seeing this book some years ago. After it sitting in my Amazon "wishlist" for 5 years I finally bit the bullet and purchased it. And am I glad I did !!!
The things Paulette was put through in the name of a "church" is astonishing, it's a true credit to Paulette that she survived her ordeal. I'm glad she decided to let her story to told, it's a story and needs to be told and this is a fantastic book that needs to be read. I couldn't put this one down and finished it in a few days.
The things Paulette was put through in the name of a "church" is astonishing, it's a true credit to Paulette that she survived her ordeal. I'm glad she decided to let her story to told, it's a story and needs to be told and this is a fantastic book that needs to be read. I couldn't put this one down and finished it in a few days.
September 20, 2020
Everyone who knows me knows that I have a bit of an obsession with cults, especially Scientology. I thought I’d read and heard everything but this gave me some new stuff. The lengths that this ‘church’ goes to to try to silence its critics astounds me. I have no idea how they keep getting away with it though, it makes me very cross I know this was published a while ago but it was still an excellent read.
February 1, 2017
If you're in the mood to be enraged by all that Scientology does to people who write about them, read this book. It was stunning to read about them doing everything they could to ruin this poor woman's life from trying to frame her for a bomb threat to infiltrating her personal life with supposed friends. This went on for at least 14 years.
January 8, 2016
Tony Ortega; a hard headed, reliable, stubborn and highly intelligent reporter. Paulette Copper; a beautiful, courageous, noble, heroin. An absolute must. Everyone must visit the Underground Bunker, the most amazing website regarding Scientology.
October 3, 2016
With all that Tony was able to uncover how is this "religion" allowed to carry on? IT'S A CULT!!! More information is in this book than any other I have read so far about how truly shady, evil and detrimental Scientology can be
September 14, 2019
Very interesting - especially to read what has been happening with Scientology since the 60's.
February 11, 2021
Well researched by Tony Ortega. This was a pleasant read, if not a bit meandering at times. A lot of what he covered were stories I'd heard before, but the detail and the depth of depravity shown by Scientology in pursuing their silencing goals was new, and shocking.
November 10, 2017
I feel like I usually start Scientology book reviews by saying "As everyone knows, I've read a lot about Scientology...". That's still true of course - I even keep (loose) track of what I've read on a dedicated page on my site. So oftentimes, I know a lot of the content of these books going in. There's always something surprising, or some detail I didn't know, which is why I keep reading them (and plus, since it's still around, there's always new news).
But I must say, this book was one of the freshest pieces of writing on Scientology I've ever consumed. I was struck, for instance, on page 352, when the e-meter was mentioned for the first time. I hadn't even noticed its absence, despite normally being one of the first things covered in a book about Scientology! I think that's indicative about how this book covers the church. It's both a specific profile of the litigious and vengeful nature of Scientology, but also a biography of Paulette Cooper. Given how often Scientology is defensive over its religious status, this book begs the question: if these are the behaviors they engage in - espionage, harassment, manipulation, secrecy, theft, etc. - does their religious status matter? And to take it a step further, if we do accept Scientology's legitimacy as a religion, don't those activities make it a fundamentally corrupt & immoral religion?
Even without a preexisting interest in Scientology, I think many readers would find themselves fascinated by this story, and charmed by Paulette Cooper. Ortega writes about her in very convincing, human ways - she is brave, ambitious, driven, and intelligent, but also impulsive, often overtrusting, and often understandably spiteful. This grounded portrayal is what makes the rest of the book so believable. Or rather, because I knew some of the story going in and wasn't inclined to skepticism, it drove home just how surreal the experience must have been for her. (The book reads like a thriller in many places, but none more so than when . Without Ortega having to spell it out (too) explicitly, the reader is aware that , and you want to yell at Paulette through pages, and time, to get the fuck out of there.)
Paulette's is a story that deserves to be told, in full and in detail and with compassion, and this book does just that. Ortega clearly cares about the truth and about the church, but also about Paulette, telling the story of how she survived the Holocaust and her prolific non-Scientology writing along with her years of harassment, making sure Paulette is shown as a whole person, not just a victim of a horrific campaign. This isn't an objective history along the lines of Going Clear , but unlike so much writing about Scientology, it doesn't need to be. What it needed to be - and what it succeeded in being - was a highly personal story, and I think Ortega did it justice.
But I must say, this book was one of the freshest pieces of writing on Scientology I've ever consumed. I was struck, for instance, on page 352, when the e-meter was mentioned for the first time. I hadn't even noticed its absence, despite normally being one of the first things covered in a book about Scientology! I think that's indicative about how this book covers the church. It's both a specific profile of the litigious and vengeful nature of Scientology, but also a biography of Paulette Cooper. Given how often Scientology is defensive over its religious status, this book begs the question: if these are the behaviors they engage in - espionage, harassment, manipulation, secrecy, theft, etc. - does their religious status matter? And to take it a step further, if we do accept Scientology's legitimacy as a religion, don't those activities make it a fundamentally corrupt & immoral religion?
Even without a preexisting interest in Scientology, I think many readers would find themselves fascinated by this story, and charmed by Paulette Cooper. Ortega writes about her in very convincing, human ways - she is brave, ambitious, driven, and intelligent, but also impulsive, often overtrusting, and often understandably spiteful. This grounded portrayal is what makes the rest of the book so believable. Or rather, because I knew some of the story going in and wasn't inclined to skepticism, it drove home just how surreal the experience must have been for her. (The book reads like a thriller in many places, but none more so than when . Without Ortega having to spell it out (too) explicitly, the reader is aware that , and you want to yell at Paulette through pages, and time, to get the fuck out of there.)
Paulette's is a story that deserves to be told, in full and in detail and with compassion, and this book does just that. Ortega clearly cares about the truth and about the church, but also about Paulette, telling the story of how she survived the Holocaust and her prolific non-Scientology writing along with her years of harassment, making sure Paulette is shown as a whole person, not just a victim of a horrific campaign. This isn't an objective history along the lines of Going Clear , but unlike so much writing about Scientology, it doesn't need to be. What it needed to be - and what it succeeded in being - was a highly personal story, and I think Ortega did it justice.
July 9, 2024
Toni Ortega je jedan od najglasnijih protivnika sajentologije i svaku dobijenu informaciju o tom kultu publikuje na sajtu Underground Bunker. Stoga je prirodno što je Ortega prvo bio uključen u nastajanje knjige Going Clear Lorensa Rajta (2013), a potom i u istoimeni HBO dokumentarac Aleksa Gibnija (2015), koji ratobornim sajentolozima nimalo nije olakšao.
Nesalomljiva g-đica Lavli je Ortegina prva nebeletristika. Govori o decenijskom problemu novinarke Polet Kuper koja je još 1970. odlučila da napiše esej, a onda i knjigu, o uvrnutim učenjima te morbidne filozofije i njenih pobornika, ni ne pomišljajući koliko će zbog toga da propati.
Kuperova, rođena za vrijeme Drugog svjetskog rata i najranije djetinjstvo provevši u koncentracionom kampu u Belgiji, prije tridesete godine već je imala dvije objavljene knjige i dobru saradnju sa prestižnim engleskim i američkim novinama, nedjeljnicima i tabloidima. Nakon knjige Skandal sajentologije, crkva, odnosno njeno obavještajno odjeljenje – takozvana Braniteljska kancelarija – je protiv autorke upriličila kampanju maltretiranja. To je uključivalo nezakonito praćenje, provaljivanje, falsifikovanje i druge oblike uznemiravanja.
Po svemu sudeći, malo je falilo da Kuperova sama sebi presudi u trenucima dok je prolazila kroz nervni slom. Njen slučaj je naročito paradigmatičan zbog toga što je na Polet – izuzev ubistva – isprobana bezmalo svaka taktika zastrašivanja koju je propisao upravo osnivač crkve, L. Ron Habard.
Ako ne računamo više od godinu dana konstantnog zivkanja telefonom i svakovrsnog blaćenja (čak i njenih roditelja), Kuperova je zatim uhapšena. Federalnom birou je prijavljeno da je „vjerovatno ona“ obližnjoj sajentološkoj kancelariji poslala neurotičnu poruku (sa, ispostaviće se, njenim otiskom prsta) napisanu na kucaćoj mašini – u poruci je prijetila da će baciti bombu na njihovu kancelariju.
Završila je na sudu gdje je zvanično okrivljena za tri prekršaja, najedanput se suočivši sa 15 godina zatvora u slučaju da bude osuđena, a što je bilo i te kako moguće. Tih osam mjeseci, između ostalog, koštali su je blizu $20.000. Na kraju se dobrovoljno prijavila da primi sodijum-pentotal, serum istine, ne bi li sudu jednom za svagda potvrdila da nije kriva, nego da joj je podmetnuto. Jedino tada ju je sud, 1975. godine, oslobodio svih optužbi, ali njoj ni to nije bilo dovoljno, jer je mrlja u obliku prvostepene optužbe u potpunosti mogla da upropasti njenu novinarsku karijeru.
U isto vrijeme, nekoliko ljudi s kojima se Polet zbližila i što su joj postali vrlo bliski, ispostavilo se da su zapravo pripadnici sajentološke crkve. Jedan od njih je bio i Habardov sin, Ron Habard Mlađi. I on je, kad je vrijeme došlo, naprasno nestao iz njenog života, zbog čega je bilo moguće da su sve te osobe imale udjela u ispisivanju one optužujuće poruke.
Tako će proteći skoro deset godina proganjanja, prije nego što će FBI slučajno nabasati na gomilu sajentološke dokumentacije, gdje je bio opisan svaki njihov korak protiv ljudi na crnim spiskovima.
Osobe koje podignu glas protiv crkve bukvalno bi postajale „lake mete“ – a u tom slučaju Habardovi „vojnici“ su imali odriješene ruke. Jedna od lakih meta bila je i Polet Kuper. Štaviše, nakon pročitane dokumentacije, Polet je stekla utisak da je sajentološka crkva gora nego što je mogla i da zamisli nakon svih tih godina.
U međuvremenu je pozvana na sud još 18 puta, i to širom Amerike, Kanade i Australije, za razne optužbe, samo što nijedna nije bila jaka kao ona prva koja je uključivala njen otisak prsta. Otkriveno je da je 1976. godine bio razvijen plan gdje je ponovo trebalo da joj bude podmetnuto.
Sve je to povezano sa Habardovom operacijom „Snjeguljica“. Inače, Habard je posljednju deceniju života pretežno provodio u međunarodnim vodama (pošto nijedna mediteranska luka nije htjela da pruži utočište njegovoj floti), kao i po skrovištima po Americi, iz razloga što je mogao da bude uhapšen zbog brojnih federalnih optužnica. Od 1980. godine pa do smrti, vrlo mali broj ljudi je uopšte imao kontakta sa njim.
Vremenom je Habard osmislio taj plan da njegovi vojnici doslovno provale u svaku državnu kancelariju na svijetu gdje se čuvala optužujuća dokumentacija o sajentološkoj crkvi, i jednostavno je ukradu. Premda zvuči kao naučna-fantastika, po kojoj je Habard bio i poznat (ali ne kao dobar SF pisac), operacija je uspješno pokrenuta i samo je pukom srećom otkrivena od strane Federalno istražnog biroa.
Hiljadu devetsto sedamdeset sedme godine, Kuperova je iz novina saznala o najvećoj FBI raciji u njihovoj istoriji – a meta je upravo bila sajentološka crkva. Stotine agenata je provalilo u vašingtonski ogranak crkve i povratilo 162 dokumenta koje su Habardovi vojnici vremenom nezakonito zbilja uspjeli da iznesu iz strogo čuvanih državnih institucija. U raciji što je trajala čitav jedan dan, crkvi je oduzeto 100.000 stranica njihovog vlastitog materijala.
I dok je Habard čekao da vidi šta će iz svega da proistekne (sud je naposljetku utvrdio da FBI nije imao validan razlog za pretraživanje crkvenih prostorija), uvidio je da čitav svijet hrli u bioskop da gleda spejs-operu Zvjezdani ratovi, nešto što je slobodno moglo da proistekne i iz Habardovih priča koje je pisao tokom 30-ih i 40-ih godina minulog vijeka, za vrijeme tzv. Zlatnog doba naučne-fantastike.
Reditelj Džordž Lukas je stvorio omaž Flešu Gordonu koji je obilježio njegovo djetinjstvo. Kako je na tome zaradio milione, Habard nipošto nije htio da propusti isti voz. Dok se krio od FBI, počeo je da piše filmski scenario u kome je bez problema otkrio najtajnija sajentološka „učenja“ koja bi vjernici saznali/dobili tek poslije zamašnog broja godina dirinčenja i potrošenog novca u crkvi. To je bila priča o ludom galaktičkom vladaru Ksenuu. Habard je taj scenario nazvao Pobuna među zvijezdama.
Prije 75 miliona godina, Ksenu je svoje pohvatane protivnike dopremio na Zemlju i iskipovao ih u ugašene vulkane, a onda je u svaki vulkan bacio termonuklearnu bombu, zbog čega su vulkani proradili. Istovremeno su duše tih mrtvaca izišle iz lave i počele da opsijedaju našu planetu. Ovo je ujedno i stožer sajentološkog mita.
Drugim riječima, sajentologija pomaže vjernicima-platišama da se ratosiljavaju tih nevidljivih entiteta koje ljudi nedvosmisleno kriju u sebi, a ispostavlja se da su baš oni izvori najvećih naših problema (anksioznost, depresija, razne bolesti, etc.). Na taj način, vjernik postaje „čist“ (clear) jedino kada njegovi mentori, poslije mukotrpnih kvazipsiholoških seansi, utvrde da u njemu više nema mrtvih vanzemaljaca. Vrhunac kojim se stiže do „mosta slobode“ (kada čovjek navodno po nahođenju može da napušta vlastito tijelo i da umom utiče na sredinu) jeste nivo OT-8.
Procjenjuje se da vjernik mora da potroši između pola i dva miliona dolara u troškovima i u raznim donacijama da bi stigao do tog nivoa.
Na sudskim saslušanjima i parnicama kojima Habard nikada nije prisustvovao iz očitih razloga, tvrdi se da štošta toga napisanog o osnivaču zapravo nije tačno, a naročito njegova najglasovitija i, ruku na srce, neprolazna izjava da: „ako želiš da zaradiš novac – osnuj religiju“.
Ipak, određen broj bivših kolega, a među njima i Harlan Elison (koji je mnogo cijenio Habardovu prvobitnu prozu), potvrdio je da je Habard na njihovim spisateljskim okupljanjima često potencirao ovu svojevrsnu sintagmu. Na kraju se pogodilo da je, od svih starih SF autora koji su jedva sastavljali kraj s krajem, jedini on naposljetku isfabrikovao granu kvazinauke (dijanetiku), a zatim je pretvorio u religiju (sajentologiju) kako ne bi plaćao porez.
2016
Nesalomljiva g-đica Lavli je Ortegina prva nebeletristika. Govori o decenijskom problemu novinarke Polet Kuper koja je još 1970. odlučila da napiše esej, a onda i knjigu, o uvrnutim učenjima te morbidne filozofije i njenih pobornika, ni ne pomišljajući koliko će zbog toga da propati.
Kuperova, rođena za vrijeme Drugog svjetskog rata i najranije djetinjstvo provevši u koncentracionom kampu u Belgiji, prije tridesete godine već je imala dvije objavljene knjige i dobru saradnju sa prestižnim engleskim i američkim novinama, nedjeljnicima i tabloidima. Nakon knjige Skandal sajentologije, crkva, odnosno njeno obavještajno odjeljenje – takozvana Braniteljska kancelarija – je protiv autorke upriličila kampanju maltretiranja. To je uključivalo nezakonito praćenje, provaljivanje, falsifikovanje i druge oblike uznemiravanja.
Po svemu sudeći, malo je falilo da Kuperova sama sebi presudi u trenucima dok je prolazila kroz nervni slom. Njen slučaj je naročito paradigmatičan zbog toga što je na Polet – izuzev ubistva – isprobana bezmalo svaka taktika zastrašivanja koju je propisao upravo osnivač crkve, L. Ron Habard.
Ako ne računamo više od godinu dana konstantnog zivkanja telefonom i svakovrsnog blaćenja (čak i njenih roditelja), Kuperova je zatim uhapšena. Federalnom birou je prijavljeno da je „vjerovatno ona“ obližnjoj sajentološkoj kancelariji poslala neurotičnu poruku (sa, ispostaviće se, njenim otiskom prsta) napisanu na kucaćoj mašini – u poruci je prijetila da će baciti bombu na njihovu kancelariju.
Završila je na sudu gdje je zvanično okrivljena za tri prekršaja, najedanput se suočivši sa 15 godina zatvora u slučaju da bude osuđena, a što je bilo i te kako moguće. Tih osam mjeseci, između ostalog, koštali su je blizu $20.000. Na kraju se dobrovoljno prijavila da primi sodijum-pentotal, serum istine, ne bi li sudu jednom za svagda potvrdila da nije kriva, nego da joj je podmetnuto. Jedino tada ju je sud, 1975. godine, oslobodio svih optužbi, ali njoj ni to nije bilo dovoljno, jer je mrlja u obliku prvostepene optužbe u potpunosti mogla da upropasti njenu novinarsku karijeru.
U isto vrijeme, nekoliko ljudi s kojima se Polet zbližila i što su joj postali vrlo bliski, ispostavilo se da su zapravo pripadnici sajentološke crkve. Jedan od njih je bio i Habardov sin, Ron Habard Mlađi. I on je, kad je vrijeme došlo, naprasno nestao iz njenog života, zbog čega je bilo moguće da su sve te osobe imale udjela u ispisivanju one optužujuće poruke.
Tako će proteći skoro deset godina proganjanja, prije nego što će FBI slučajno nabasati na gomilu sajentološke dokumentacije, gdje je bio opisan svaki njihov korak protiv ljudi na crnim spiskovima.
Osobe koje podignu glas protiv crkve bukvalno bi postajale „lake mete“ – a u tom slučaju Habardovi „vojnici“ su imali odriješene ruke. Jedna od lakih meta bila je i Polet Kuper. Štaviše, nakon pročitane dokumentacije, Polet je stekla utisak da je sajentološka crkva gora nego što je mogla i da zamisli nakon svih tih godina.
U međuvremenu je pozvana na sud još 18 puta, i to širom Amerike, Kanade i Australije, za razne optužbe, samo što nijedna nije bila jaka kao ona prva koja je uključivala njen otisak prsta. Otkriveno je da je 1976. godine bio razvijen plan gdje je ponovo trebalo da joj bude podmetnuto.
Sve je to povezano sa Habardovom operacijom „Snjeguljica“. Inače, Habard je posljednju deceniju života pretežno provodio u međunarodnim vodama (pošto nijedna mediteranska luka nije htjela da pruži utočište njegovoj floti), kao i po skrovištima po Americi, iz razloga što je mogao da bude uhapšen zbog brojnih federalnih optužnica. Od 1980. godine pa do smrti, vrlo mali broj ljudi je uopšte imao kontakta sa njim.
Vremenom je Habard osmislio taj plan da njegovi vojnici doslovno provale u svaku državnu kancelariju na svijetu gdje se čuvala optužujuća dokumentacija o sajentološkoj crkvi, i jednostavno je ukradu. Premda zvuči kao naučna-fantastika, po kojoj je Habard bio i poznat (ali ne kao dobar SF pisac), operacija je uspješno pokrenuta i samo je pukom srećom otkrivena od strane Federalno istražnog biroa.
Hiljadu devetsto sedamdeset sedme godine, Kuperova je iz novina saznala o najvećoj FBI raciji u njihovoj istoriji – a meta je upravo bila sajentološka crkva. Stotine agenata je provalilo u vašingtonski ogranak crkve i povratilo 162 dokumenta koje su Habardovi vojnici vremenom nezakonito zbilja uspjeli da iznesu iz strogo čuvanih državnih institucija. U raciji što je trajala čitav jedan dan, crkvi je oduzeto 100.000 stranica njihovog vlastitog materijala.
I dok je Habard čekao da vidi šta će iz svega da proistekne (sud je naposljetku utvrdio da FBI nije imao validan razlog za pretraživanje crkvenih prostorija), uvidio je da čitav svijet hrli u bioskop da gleda spejs-operu Zvjezdani ratovi, nešto što je slobodno moglo da proistekne i iz Habardovih priča koje je pisao tokom 30-ih i 40-ih godina minulog vijeka, za vrijeme tzv. Zlatnog doba naučne-fantastike.
Reditelj Džordž Lukas je stvorio omaž Flešu Gordonu koji je obilježio njegovo djetinjstvo. Kako je na tome zaradio milione, Habard nipošto nije htio da propusti isti voz. Dok se krio od FBI, počeo je da piše filmski scenario u kome je bez problema otkrio najtajnija sajentološka „učenja“ koja bi vjernici saznali/dobili tek poslije zamašnog broja godina dirinčenja i potrošenog novca u crkvi. To je bila priča o ludom galaktičkom vladaru Ksenuu. Habard je taj scenario nazvao Pobuna među zvijezdama.
Prije 75 miliona godina, Ksenu je svoje pohvatane protivnike dopremio na Zemlju i iskipovao ih u ugašene vulkane, a onda je u svaki vulkan bacio termonuklearnu bombu, zbog čega su vulkani proradili. Istovremeno su duše tih mrtvaca izišle iz lave i počele da opsijedaju našu planetu. Ovo je ujedno i stožer sajentološkog mita.
Drugim riječima, sajentologija pomaže vjernicima-platišama da se ratosiljavaju tih nevidljivih entiteta koje ljudi nedvosmisleno kriju u sebi, a ispostavlja se da su baš oni izvori najvećih naših problema (anksioznost, depresija, razne bolesti, etc.). Na taj način, vjernik postaje „čist“ (clear) jedino kada njegovi mentori, poslije mukotrpnih kvazipsiholoških seansi, utvrde da u njemu više nema mrtvih vanzemaljaca. Vrhunac kojim se stiže do „mosta slobode“ (kada čovjek navodno po nahođenju može da napušta vlastito tijelo i da umom utiče na sredinu) jeste nivo OT-8.
Procjenjuje se da vjernik mora da potroši između pola i dva miliona dolara u troškovima i u raznim donacijama da bi stigao do tog nivoa.
Na sudskim saslušanjima i parnicama kojima Habard nikada nije prisustvovao iz očitih razloga, tvrdi se da štošta toga napisanog o osnivaču zapravo nije tačno, a naročito njegova najglasovitija i, ruku na srce, neprolazna izjava da: „ako želiš da zaradiš novac – osnuj religiju“.
Ipak, određen broj bivših kolega, a među njima i Harlan Elison (koji je mnogo cijenio Habardovu prvobitnu prozu), potvrdio je da je Habard na njihovim spisateljskim okupljanjima često potencirao ovu svojevrsnu sintagmu. Na kraju se pogodilo da je, od svih starih SF autora koji su jedva sastavljali kraj s krajem, jedini on naposljetku isfabrikovao granu kvazinauke (dijanetiku), a zatim je pretvorio u religiju (sajentologiju) kako ne bi plaćao porez.
2016
June 21, 2023
How they get away with what they did to Paulette is beyond me and shows how screwed up the justice system really is. They made her life a living hell for years, harassing her and nothing was done to the church because of it. They got a slap on the wrist for something unrelated. Very disappointing to see, but this book really shows how evil scientology really is. If this were a religion, they wouldn’t bully, stalk, harass or any of the other multitude of evils you can do to destroy someone’s life. All because she wrote a book about it. Many other religions have books written about them, yet they don’t stalk, harass and infiltrate a person’s life to ruin it over it.
The fact this "religion" still does this and gets away with it is disgusting.
The fact this "religion" still does this and gets away with it is disgusting.
November 3, 2017
My Review on The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper
This book was a great read, well set out and shocking at the same time. It kept me wanting to turn the page and read more. You would never believe what you were reading was fact, because you could only dream this in a fiction book. What this woman had done to her was close to horror and for that I feel for her, she stronger then many others out there for sure. For this alone I would truly recommend this book to anyone, even if you have no interest in Scientology itself.
* Spoiler *
Now with all said, there are time when I felt Paulette need for money and a want of a high lifestyle really blinded her, maybe if she was not so worried about missing out of a big sum at the end, Scientology could have been taken down once and for all; we’re never know? I would not say she was a hero, but she was for sure strong and a fighter and I praise her for that. They are many parts in this book where I was put off with Paulette and could have easily disliked her. But the fact them things were put in the book also was something I like the writer Tony Ortega for; we’re human after all. But I was not happy that the writer trying to sugar coat her flews, with too much blaming this and that, when the truth is clear, she fell into a lot of traps because of her need for money. Yes I understand she needed it, she had a lot to pay out, but for someone whom was being attack, she dismisses too much.
The above is the reason I rated this a four star and not five, the writer made to many excuses for Paulette and that put me off a little. But I did feel for her and no one should ever be treated in the way she was.
This book was a great read, well set out and shocking at the same time. It kept me wanting to turn the page and read more. You would never believe what you were reading was fact, because you could only dream this in a fiction book. What this woman had done to her was close to horror and for that I feel for her, she stronger then many others out there for sure. For this alone I would truly recommend this book to anyone, even if you have no interest in Scientology itself.
* Spoiler *
Now with all said, there are time when I felt Paulette need for money and a want of a high lifestyle really blinded her, maybe if she was not so worried about missing out of a big sum at the end, Scientology could have been taken down once and for all; we’re never know? I would not say she was a hero, but she was for sure strong and a fighter and I praise her for that. They are many parts in this book where I was put off with Paulette and could have easily disliked her. But the fact them things were put in the book also was something I like the writer Tony Ortega for; we’re human after all. But I was not happy that the writer trying to sugar coat her flews, with too much blaming this and that, when the truth is clear, she fell into a lot of traps because of her need for money. Yes I understand she needed it, she had a lot to pay out, but for someone whom was being attack, she dismisses too much.
The above is the reason I rated this a four star and not five, the writer made to many excuses for Paulette and that put me off a little. But I did feel for her and no one should ever be treated in the way she was.
September 13, 2021
An astounding account of the cult of Scientology and its unrelenting tactics of personal destruction of any critic, at any time, for anything perceived as "traitorous" or remotely negative about the cult. Paulette Cooper, a freelance reporter and author, was (and still is) one such critic of Scientology.
To "shut her up" and "get rid of her," L. Ron Hubbard personally became obsessed by her outspoken exposés and launched a task force to ensure Paulette Cooper was traumatized after an ongoing campaign which set her up to be burglarized; followed by strangers; slandered; libeled harassed by prank and obscene calls; spied on; stood-up; shaken down; framed for a federal crime she did not commit; humiliated; intimidated; subject to nuisance lawsuits all over the United States; and put through hell for 15 years of her life.
Scientology is no "church." It is a paranoid totalitarian structure of cruelty designed to brainwash members, fleece them, abuse them, and teach them to mindlessly follow the leader (first Hubbard; now Miscavige). Children spy on parents and rat out family members, friends, and others suspected of being "Suppressive Persons." Scientology "Auditing" with the E-meter (what a load of hooey) is no different that the "self-criticism" confessionals mandated in totalitarian communist systems in China and North Korea (and in the USSR back in the good old days).
Not surprisingly, Scientology is structured just like North Korea, except Scientology is in North American and has tax exempt status from which to fund it's empire of evil.
To "shut her up" and "get rid of her," L. Ron Hubbard personally became obsessed by her outspoken exposés and launched a task force to ensure Paulette Cooper was traumatized after an ongoing campaign which set her up to be burglarized; followed by strangers; slandered; libeled harassed by prank and obscene calls; spied on; stood-up; shaken down; framed for a federal crime she did not commit; humiliated; intimidated; subject to nuisance lawsuits all over the United States; and put through hell for 15 years of her life.
Scientology is no "church." It is a paranoid totalitarian structure of cruelty designed to brainwash members, fleece them, abuse them, and teach them to mindlessly follow the leader (first Hubbard; now Miscavige). Children spy on parents and rat out family members, friends, and others suspected of being "Suppressive Persons." Scientology "Auditing" with the E-meter (what a load of hooey) is no different that the "self-criticism" confessionals mandated in totalitarian communist systems in China and North Korea (and in the USSR back in the good old days).
Not surprisingly, Scientology is structured just like North Korea, except Scientology is in North American and has tax exempt status from which to fund it's empire of evil.
August 26, 2016
Cooper's ordeal is an interesting story not told especially well.
Scientology is abhorrent and this book relays Cooper's story of undeserved abuse from Scientology. An honest review of a book doesn't denigrate the pain the subject experienced.
Cooper's interactions/relationships with Dick Bast, Mike Flynn and the 'unnamed' Vanity Fair writer really should have been explored in more depth. The entrapment by Bast seems particularly questionable. Why did Cooper fall for that so easily after years of torment by Scientology to that point in her life? If something seems to good to be true...
As the canon of exposes about Scientology grows perhaps these books need to be judged more critically than simply giving all books great ratings because of the subject matter alone.
Scientology is abhorrent and this book relays Cooper's story of undeserved abuse from Scientology. An honest review of a book doesn't denigrate the pain the subject experienced.
Cooper's interactions/relationships with Dick Bast, Mike Flynn and the 'unnamed' Vanity Fair writer really should have been explored in more depth. The entrapment by Bast seems particularly questionable. Why did Cooper fall for that so easily after years of torment by Scientology to that point in her life? If something seems to good to be true...
As the canon of exposes about Scientology grows perhaps these books need to be judged more critically than simply giving all books great ratings because of the subject matter alone.
September 17, 2017
There were several moments where the author would explain something about a person and then repeat the same explanation a few pages later, or once again repeat the explanation once that person resurfaced in the story.
As for the content, I appreciated the in depth look at what happened to Paulette Cooper. Other books I've read about Scientology glossed over her story with little detail, which is why I was so interested in this book. In many ways, it's scarier than other books I've read about this dangerous cult because it personalized the attacks and showed just how far the cult will go to destroy its critics. I'm amazed that Scientology has continued to be allowed given all the things that are coming out about it!
As for the content, I appreciated the in depth look at what happened to Paulette Cooper. Other books I've read about Scientology glossed over her story with little detail, which is why I was so interested in this book. In many ways, it's scarier than other books I've read about this dangerous cult because it personalized the attacks and showed just how far the cult will go to destroy its critics. I'm amazed that Scientology has continued to be allowed given all the things that are coming out about it!
May 10, 2020
This book caused me so much anxiety, depression, and frustration while reading, it was unbelievable! I did believe it, because of the occurrences I read were the same exact tactics that were recounted on Leah Remini’s Aftermath series. I only watched that a couple of months ago. What I can't understand is how is this STILL happening, to so many people? Scientology’s practices, crimes have been written about, report to the police, been made aware of to our government for decades and they are allowed to continue this horrendous treatment? Do people no longer have any rights?
Sorry about the tangent, I thought that this book was definitely worth the read. Very informative, well written and would definitely recommend this book.
Sorry about the tangent, I thought that this book was definitely worth the read. Very informative, well written and would definitely recommend this book.
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