I would also suggest something from the psychology (The heretical advanced course?):
- "Combatting Cult mind Control" by Steve Hassan.
- "Authentic Happiness" by Martin Seligman
While you may not necessarily attain "authentic happiness" by reading these, they are extremely helpful in sorting out your mind once you are out. Great for spotting elements implanted by scientology through undue influence.
NOTE: Seligman's book on first glance looks like one of those dime-a-dozen self help books that don't do anything. DO NOT BE FOOLED, this guy was the former president of the American Psychological Association and a very prominent researcher (he discovered the "learned helplessness" effect among others). Any schmuck can write a self-help book this days, but this guy has the tools and knowledge to do it.
Even if you won't accept all he says, simply learning about his method will help you see the BS in Hubbard's notions of the mind and emotional well being.
I read "Combatting Cult Mind Control " last year. Whilst it doesn't cover Scientology specifically, it is referenced occasionally. I found it to be a very good book and I learned a lot from it even though I left the cult in '78. I only ever hand 1 hour of auditing and never did many courses (too tied up on staff and full time jobs), so the cult never quite got the hold on me as it did with so many others.
Steve Hassan was once a Moonie and most of his references point in that direction. But he does mention several other cults as well.
He talks about Jim Jones of the Jonestown massacre infamy and how he was actually a very dedicated and benevolent Christian practitioner in his younger days doing a lot of good things until his cult shaped the monster he became.
I haven't read any of the other books suggested here myself yet, but they are on my "one day" list.
