I haven't read the book, only parts of it, so I haven't written a review, however, I have observed tendencies in Marty Rathbun's other writings - dishonest tendencies. These concern me more then simple - honest - differences of opinion.
Marty Rathbun begins his book by telling us that we shouldn't take L. Ron Hubbard literally. Only having read part of the book, that's a disturbing sign.
One wonders if, in the chapter on the OT levels, he will insist that "Incident two" (best known to "wogs" from the TV cartoon show South Park) is only a misunderstood metaphor or allegory.
It's natural to wonder, as he's already done just that.
These are two reasons why I recommend caution when reading this book: the signs are that it will attempt to manipulate.
The following is some re-posted material from fairly recent discussions.
From
Ron's Journal 67:
The material involved in this sector is so vicious that it is carefully arranged to kill 
anyone if he discovers the exact truth of it.
So in January and February of this year, I became very ill, almost lost the body, and somehow or other brought it off and obtained the material, and was able to live through it.
I am very sure that I was the fist one that ever did live through any attempt to obtain that material. This material I'm talking about, of course, is very upper level material and you will forgive me if I don't describe it to you in very broad detail because it is very likely 
to make you sick too.
One might ask, what is "the material involved in ths sector" that "is so vicious"?
It is the detail (the "time, place, form, and event") of the 4th dynamic engram - as described by Hubbard - called Incident 2 of OT 3 of 75 million years ago.
"Engrams" according to Scientology, are recorded on "time tracks," and they are extremely "
literal." They are exact and must be "perfectly duplicated" so as to be "as ised." In the case of Incident 2 of OT 3, the material (the super engram) was so vicious that only a jumbo-sized thetan, with a humongous theta endowment, was able to confront the "time, place, form, and event" of this super-engram and survive, to not only talk about it, but to map the way for others through it, thus removing the final barrier to full Operating Thetan and godlike powers for all Scientologists, and for the "Wogs" once they become Scientologists.
The material of the book 'History of Man' is not part of OT 3, but the approach to "handling" any "invalidators " can be traced back to H.O.M.:
From the
'History of Man' [
"This is a cold blooded and factual account of your last 60 trillion years"] by L. Ron Hubbard, early 1952, originally titled
'What to Audit':
"Tell people who want to invalidate all this, 'Your criticism is very just. It's only fantasy.'"
The "
It's only an allegory"-angle is a similar PR "handling" - to be used on those at lower awareness levels - but it's an extension of Hubbard's 1952 PR "handling" of occasionally troublesome "Homo Saps."
It works like this: If it sounds really dumb or crazy, or is exposed as a lie, in front of any particular person or "public," not dumb or gullible enough to believe it, then, immediately, claim that it - whatever it was - is a metaphor, an allegory, a joke, a symbolic representation used as a teaching aid, etc. If this doesn't work, claim it was taken out of context, or that
the complaining or ridiculing person or "public" are literal-minded, etc.
In fact, the idea of
the "literalizing of L. Ron Hubbard" was re-introduced, recently, by Marty Rathbun.
This is just a more gentle fashion - a "lower gradient" - of saying
there's something really wrong with the "antagonistic" person or "public."
"
Why are you making fun of L. Ron Hubbard?
There must be something wrong with you!"
It's a form of bullshitting which is used to cover an earlier bullshitting. It's actually pretty "workable," in that a fair number of people seem to fall for it, which means, incidentally, that it's likely to continue.
An example of this would be a Scientology "OT" telling a ridiculing or "nattering" "Wog" - who has just seen the South Park episode exposing OT 3 - that "it's only fantasy." This, of course, would be an example of following Hubbard's instructions on dealing with "Homo Saps" - instructions that dates back to 1952, and were included in the book, 'History of Man'.
These are old "handlings."
For example, this is what David Gaiman, then Public Relations Director for Scientology in England, told Paulette Cooper, in 1971, when asked about the billion year Sea Org contract:
From question/answer #19, in the 'Appendix' of Cooper's book:
19. (from Cooper)
"DO THE SEA ORG PEOPLE SIGN A BILLION YEAR CONTRACT?"
(From Gaiman)
"Never make an allegoric joke near literal minded humorless reporters."
Not surprisingly, it does appear that Rathbun regards the findings of the Armstrong vs Church of Scientology court case, as being problematic. Something to be overcome, and discredited.
He has recently spun this, confusing a fair a number of people in the process, by seeming to say that Gerry Armstrong was right about his concerns about the misrepresentations in Hubbard's many mini-biographies. However Rathbun insists that Hubbard did not lie, but was only misunderstood.
So, Armstrong (and Omar Garrison, and Judge Breckenridge) were wrong - very wrong - in holding L. Ron Hubbard up to ridicule, in Armstrong vs Church of Scientology, in 1984.
Excerpts from the 20 June 1984 findings of Judge Breckenridge:
"As indicated by its factual findings, the court finds the testimony of Gerald and Joycelyn Armstrong, Laurel Sullivan, Nancy Dincalcis, Edward Walters, Omar Garrison, Kima Douglas, and Howard Schomer to be credible, extremely persuasive... In all critical and important matters their testimony was precise, accurate and rang true...
"Each has broken with the movement for a variety of reasons, but at the same time, each is still bound by the knowledge that the Church has in its possession his or her own most inner thoughts and confessions, all recorded in 'pre-clear' folders, or other security files of the organization, and that the Church or its minions is fully capable of physical intimidation, or other physical or psychological abuse if it suits their ends. The record is replete with evidence of such abuse.
"In addition to violating and abusing its own members' civil rights, the organization over the years with its 'Fair Game' doctrine has harassed and abused those persons not in the Church whom it perceives as enemies.
"The organization clearly is schizophrenic and paranoid, and this bizarre combination seems to be a reflection of its founder LRH. The evidence portrays a man who has been virtually a pathological liar when it comes to his history, background and achievements.
"The writings and documents in evidence additionally reflect his egotism, greed, avarice, lust for power, and vindictiveness and aggressiveness against persons perceived by him to be disloyal or hostile.
"At the same time it appears that he is charismatic and highly capable of motivating, organizing, controlling, manipulating, and inspiring his adherents...
"Obviously, he is and was a very complex person, and that complexity is further reflected in his alter-ego, the Church of Scientology. Notwithstanding protestations to the contrary, this court is satisfied that LRH runs the Church in all ways, through the Sea Organization, his role as Commodore, and the Commodore's Messengers.
"He has, of course, chosen to go into 'seclusion', but he maintains contact and control through his top messengers.
"Seclusion has its light and dark side too. It adds to his mystique, and yet shields him from accountability and subpoena and service of summons.
"LRH's wife, Mary Sue Hubbard, is also a plaintiff herein. On the one hand she certainly appeared to be a pathetic individual. She was forced from her post as Controller, convicted and imprisoned as a felon, and deserted by her husband."
From 1985, discussing the Judge Breckenridge findings, and featuring ex-official biographer Omar Garrison, CofS PR person Heber Jentzsch, and Scientology attorney Earl Cooley. (They also feel that Hubbard didn't lie, but was only misunderstood.):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5Drk3eVQSg&feature=player_embedded
So Marty has his work cut out for him on his mission to salvage L. Ron Hubbard's "image" and "good name," and L. Ron Hubbard's Scientology's "image" and reputation.
He's had, and likely will continue to have, some success, due to his application of Hubbard's Propaganda Tech, specifically his use of Hubbard's 2 January 1972 confidential issue 'Black Propaganda'. Marty Rathbun has successfully identified himself, and Independent Scientology, as the "attackers of the popularly considered evil" of David Miscavige.
However, now it becomes trickier. If Marty Rathbun is going to move into full "handle to Homo Saps" (and the "ARC broken" field) mode, with decades old PR gimmicks, albeit modernized for a more sophisticated world of the Internet, he may find himself on thin ice.
Written not very long ago...
'Ode to L. Ron Hubbard' by Marty Rathbun
You said your legacy would be the tech
but the dictator said otherwise
and the church began its demise
and hurt came to those who would object
You said there was no hidden data line
but the dictator said he knew better
and burned all of your policy letters
and the church went into long term decline
You said the tech was timeless and free
but the dictator wanted power and cash
and made your truth a confusing hash
and status and greed replaced the state of OT
You acknowledged the loyalty of your gracious wife
but the dictator used her as a stepping stone
and she died forgotten, friendless and alone
and thus he erased your dear Manuela [Simon Bolivar's girlfriend] from your life
You raised three fine children and one who died too soon
but the dictator wanted them forgotten too
and your progeny turned from sunshine to blue
and the many who loved you wept under a sorrowful moon
You had faith that your friends would make it come out right
but the dictator mis-used your treasure to enervate them
and black dianetics, reverse scientology internecine mayhem
and with violence did he destroy their willingness to fight
You said only truth could penetrate thick armor plate
and though the dictator protested this fact
it was your ace in the hole that has our back
and everyday now more are working to reverse your fate
And alas, it may take time and a perilous struggle
but we assure you it is too late to reverse our tide
you’ve got friends to the end of time on your side
and come hell or high water we’ll emerge from this jungle
Because we know you were right that the truth shall set us free
and that is one thing no dictator will ever take away
it will be your real friends standing at the end of day
humanity freed, the only proper acknowledgment of thee
Now, back to the topic!
I've seen some of the (confidential) LRH PPRO (Professional Public Relations Officer) materials from late 1970s/early 1980s. Hubbard was very concerned with the preservation of his name and image.
It was all "confidential," and almost anything that is visible and publicized in Scientology, or having to do with L. Ron Hubbard, has a confidential side.
Personally, I don't think Hubbard cared who ran and maintained his front group-surrounded and mental-healing/religion-coated fan club (in their own cynical self-interest with accompanying perks), as long as he/she/they preserved his name and protected and preserved his "image," and maintained the "LRH = Survival"-gimmick, to ensure that other people would assist in the preservation of his name and "image" - to ensure their well-being, their "eternities," etc. etc.
Miscavige is currently the caretaker for the Hubbard monuments, more than anything else, and, as a result, he has certain perks. Certainly, being surrounded by the recipients of Hubbard's mind-manipulation operation, that "asserted and maintained dominion over thoughts and loyalties," makes it easy for him to enjoy being a bullying dictator - still, he must operate within the already existing cult framework.
From a 1989 issue of 'Hotline', an internal 'newsletter' for Scientology LRH PRs:
"...
it is LRH's image on which all the rest of our expansion depends. To the degree that LRH is made the stable terminal in society, people will reach for his books and services and we can get them on the Bridge to Total Freedom ."
Hubbard set up the ultimate fan club, one that believes that the survival and well being of Mankind, life, the universe and everything, depends on his "being well thought of."
What Marty Rathbun&Friends are doing is largely a PR action to rehabilitate the image and reputation of Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard.
From Marty's Rathbun blog:
"
With all the chatter about L. Ron Hubbard's alleged shortcomings, it got me thinking about what the effect of the unprecedented ad hominem attacks against the man were. Hubbard was demonized by the cold war establishment perhaps more than any other civilian figure. One cumulative effect of it all was to one degree or another de-humanize him in the public eye. We see remnants of those effects to this day. Tony Ortega has even come to the conclusion that my mission -and the mission of many independents - is made hopeless by this historical landscape. The landscape is not easy to conceptualize given its long lived nature and Miscavige's daily efforts to make the myths a reality. [Note: the negative Scientology 'myths' - which are usually true - are denounced by both CofS and outside the CoS PR people.]
Providing context to the entire picture is a long term project that I never lose sight of, but unfortunately I have not found the time to devote to it that it deserves..." [Referring to the envisioned LRH biography.]
And,
"
Miscavige has run a continuous propaganda campaign attempting to besmirch the good name of L. Ron Hubbard. He has continually given little interest or funds for defending public relations attacks on L. Ron Hubbard."
Marty&Mike and other Independent Scientologists are doing an, apparently, self-assigned PR action for the religion-angled, religion-cloaked, cult of Hubbard, which, ultimately, includes both the CofS Scientology and outside the CofS Scientology, a.k.a. "Greater Scientology." If Rathbun&Friends succeed, to any extent, then, in the long run, the CofS will benefit, once it is rid of Miscavige.
After all, their founder's "image" will have been rehabilitated.
Below is a reminder of the Independent Scientology "reality" circa 2011:
"...
there are OSA operatives throughout the Anonymous network, ESMB site, the Freezone and Independents running backstabbing, covert propaganda campaigns while we are 'tied up' under siege. Just look for the 1.1s using the safe Independent Scientology space we are creating to promote such practices as no-training-needed to get onto OT levels, 'OT I and OT II are of little importance': especially coming from 'Class VIIIs','Class VIs' and folks claiming to be 'trained by Ron'. They may as well be saying 'Scientology is a fraud, because after all I studied it all, and violently disagree with the Bridge created by Ron'.
"...
Cleaning up the image and damage that Miscavige has created for Scientology is not very difficult absent his gargantuan efforts to disrupt such work..."
Etc.
Marty&Friend's objective may be unrealistic, and the Internet age makes it even more challenging, but at least by pointing it out, some things might be explained and better understood.
As for the attempts to "de-humanize" Hubbard in the public mind, an early attempt is described by Hubbard in his confidential issue, "Intelligence Actions, Covert Intelligence Data Collection' of 2 December 1969. It describes events of 1950:
"
The objective of the enemy is to discredit ...
"
Their first blast was the San Francisco papers, Sept. 1950, quoting the publisher (of Book One) Ceppos being critical of me (he was a communist) followed by the LA papers, pushed then by Sara Komkovadamanov (alias Northrup) 'divorce' actions, followed by attempted kidnapping of myself. Other details were pushed into it including murder of four and so on. This was a full complete covert operation. At the back of it was Miles Hollister (psychology student), Sara Komkovadamanov (housekeeper at the place nuclear physicists stayed near Cal Tech), Gene Benton and his wife - president of the Young Communists League ...
"
This was a full war against Dianetics ..."
Note: all the above parentheses are from the original.
And regarding the same time period...
From a 1977 recorded message, 'Can we Ever Be Friends?':
"
Possibly any trouble Dianetics or Scientology ever had began on May 9, 1950 when the U.S government, excited by the possibility of Hubbard's work, sought to force him into classified government service.
"
In Washington, they told him they wanted him to work on projects to make people more suggestible. When he declined they threatened and, typically, he refused to bow.
"
And the war between the government and Scientology was on."
There's another version of this from the 1978 edition of 'What is Scientology?'. It ends with:
"
The government never forgave him for this and soon began vicious, covert international attacks on his work. "
The above two accounts, re. the U.S. government, were taken from a recorded lecture from the early 1950s.
According to Hubbard there were repeated attempts by both the Russians and the US government to take possession of his work on the mind.
The first, according to Hubbard, was the late 1930s theft, by the Russian KGB, of his 'Excalibur' manuscript.
However, his skills as a nuclear physicist were also coveted by the US government. Here's Hubbard explaining that, during World War II, he was repeatedly asked to work on the Manhattan Project (the secret project building the atomic bomb), and each time refused, and each time was sent into a combat theater as punishment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1-6I-d4jK0
So, was Hubbard lying to Scientologists
(above), or was this simply an allegoric teaching tool?
Not me!!! 
In the next year or two. Tooth paste out of tube! 
