Mike Rinder grew up in Scientology and eventually rose to extremely high positions in the church hierarchy. He tells his own story and interweaves Scientology history and background into a gripping tale of the total power and control held by one man, David Miscavige, and how even executives could be sent off to clean Scientology's cruise ship's bilge for days at the drop of a hat. He ends with his departure from Scientology and the hope and freedom that real life brings.