Rating: 
Summary: A Powerful Account of Religious Oppression
Review: "The Awakening of a Jehovah's Witness", by Diane Wilson, opens by giving us a brief glimpse of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother, ostensibly for discipline, and purportedly done out of love. If this had been a work of fiction, we would call this "dramatic foreboding", but distressingly, this is NOT fiction.Wilson goes on to describe how she joined Jehovah's Witnesses, thinking at first that she had found a family that would nurture her. In the early days, this did indeed seem to be the case, so she was initially willing to suppress any objections she had to their doctrine. However, once she was firmly in the fold, the demands upon her increased, while the tolerance for dissent decreased to zero. Most people know Jehovah's Witnesses as tidy, conservatively-dressed people who knock on doors, spreading their particular gospel. Wilson gives us an insider's perspective, revealing how Witnesses are coerced, cajoled and threatened to dispense with logical thought, put aside all objections, and slavishly follow the dictates of the leadership (known as the Governing Body). This book convincingly demolishes the notion that the Witnesses are (as they assert) the one true religion. It does this by showing how their idea of truth is constantly being altered, sometimes flip-flopping between opposing doctrines in a single year. We are also shown how one of the fundamental tenets of Christianity -- love -- is twisted, just as Wilson's mother had used love as a justification for abuse. This account is relentless in its delivery of examples of the abuse that Witnesses (and honest inquiry) suffer. We are also given insight into why people would put up with this kind of organization, where love is always conditional (even within the family), free thought is forbidden, and the joys of living are constantly put on hold in the name of a holy mission. Wilson also gives many examples of the doctrinal errors of the Watchtower Society (the corporation that administrates Jehovah's Witnesses). All of her allegations are backed up with quotes from the Watchtower literature. Several of these doctrines (such as those dealing with rape, transplants and blood transfusions) are matters of life and death. The reader is ultimately disgusted to see how the Society changes such doctrines without ever apologising for the deaths they have caused, the lives they have ruined, and the families they have destroyed. To Wilson's credit, this book is written without bitterness and simply presents the facts. This is remarkable, considering how badly she was treated. This would seem to be a good book to give to a Jehovah's Witness that you know, but as you will discover, they would consider the book to be inspired by demons and would simply throw it away. You could, however, give this book to an ex-Witness (to help them see that they made the right decision when they left), or to somebody who is thinking about becoming a Witness. In the latter case, you could be saving somebody from years of suffering.
Rating: 
Summary: As a former JW of about 16.5 years
Review: A bit sensationalist and overly-dramatic at times, but overall a good book on JWs, from a JW's perspective. I personally would've prefered more facts, evidence, documents, etc; the emotional story-like aspect of the book seems to overshadow the important information current, potential, or ex JWs should be aware of... the last thing books like this need are (admittedly valid, though naive still) sensationalist and dramatized reputations, it sort of gives them even less credibility in the minds of the people who NEED to read it.
Rating:
Summary: Heart and mind
Review: A clear demonstration of the emotions that come into play when discussing religious experience. I liked the mix of factual topics like JW doctrinal changes with the personal conflicts that many probably experience but are told how evil that is to think about and feel when seeing injustice or untruth. The Watchtower put the organized into "organized religion", this shows how the higher goals of organizations (including other churches as well) supercede the individual need. Don't suspend your higher mental functions when accepting "truth". This book is much better reading than the confrontational and expose style anti-JW, protestant Christian books. Thinking with mind and heart is much more productive, as is this book. For those among the Watchtower camp, the material conforms well with many other sources that I've encountered over 30 years about Watchtower practice and teaching. It isn't out to get you, just to make you stop pretending not to notice commonplace occurrences among Jehovah's Witnesses. A good complement to the Ray Franz book "Crisis of Conscience".
Rating:
Summary: A truly harrowing tale.
Review: A valuable book, not only for the insight it gives about the damage the Watchtower does to its followers, but also for its extensive research on the numerous failed JW prophecies and continuous flip-flopping changes in JW doctrine. Wilson deserves a round of applause for her courage.
Rating:
Summary: The CULT is exposed!
Review: After 50 years of asscoiation with this very high control group I am still not free as they hold my daughter hostage. My families ties go back to Judge Rutherford, the 2nd president of this group. They are insidious in their methodology. They lie and call it "Theocratic Warfare." When a family member chooses to leave for no other reason than disagreeing with their doctrine, the remaining family members are instructed by the "Organization" to treat these family members as "fornicators, adulterers, drunkards", etc and to shun them. They have broken up thousands of families. They have won court battles for their own religious freedom and then turn around and deny their members those freedoms like reading opposing viewpoints. They say they have the "Truth"...but they are scared to death of books like this. Thousands are leaving each year, especially after discovering their child molestation cover-ups and their secret affiliation with the United Nations, an organization they have villified for decades. If you are thinking of studying with them or know some who is, get this book immediately as well as ones by Ray Franz.
Rating:
Summary: You Want Insight On A JW? Read This Book!
Review: Although I am not a religious person at all, I needed to understand the mind of a JW friend. This book did just that! After doing much research and reading on the subject, to read this personal account of a long time JW did the trick! I have no doubt that most JW's are good hearted people and to be so sucked in, manipulated and guilted into serving God is ashame - what power (and $$$) the Watchtower Society has over these people. If you want a real story that will keep you interested, this book is a must!
Rating: 
Summary: I am a Witness and....
Review: As I read the comments here I thought that it was nice that so many people were interested in the religion. But I also noted that in the bible at 1 John 4:8 it says that "God is love", If this woman is supposed to have found the TRUE word of God then why does she speak with such hate? With our modern day application of the word 'cult' as being a system of religious worship or ritual, all religions can be considered cults. Jehovahs Witnesses not only beleive in reading and studying the bible in it's entirety, but they also follow the words of 1 John 4:1 which says to "test the inspired expressions to see if they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world".
We believe that the bible is the word of God. However there are always those who seek to ruin the word of God for others, for personal gratification and gain (2 Timothy 3:13) see also (Matthew 23:13-15) and (1 Timothy 3:11)
Think of it this way, many people like their country of origin and in our case its the United States. But, if you were travelling overseas to a new country and wanted an accurate description of that nations principles, Who would you ask? Would you ask someone who has been deported from that nation, or would you ask someone who has active citizenship? I urge anyone who reads this to ask an active Witness about their religion, because there are many of us will be more than happy to explain it to you. You can also look up the verses that I included here and read the bible for yourself. Books and other hate filled propaganda such as this is not needed
Rating:
Summary: An excellent read
Review: Diane Wilson gives an excellent idea of life behind the Watchtower walls. She correctly describes the stifling spiritual wasteland in this religious publishing company. There is some excellent information in the book which is well documented. Active Jehovah's Witnesses may find the book critical of their organization but they are trained to ignore what those who have left have to say. Those who are studying with the Witnesses or have family members who are involved will gain a rare glimpse into the mindset of Witnesses. In fact most active JWs will not even read the book but will claim (as they are taught to do) that it is full of lies designed specifically to make them look bad. Sadly this actually reinforces the points that the author makes about the control the Watchtower Organization has over its members. While the story is from a woman's perspective men will probably enjoy the clear, factual and unemotional perspective the author uses to present her story. Lee
Rating:
Summary: Bravo!
Review: Diane Wilson has provided her readership with a brave, heartfelt insight into the world of Jehovah's Witnesses, the tantalizing effect they have on potential proselytes, and what occurs once an individual is absorbed into "The Organization". Be prepared to experience an onslaught of emotion as you read this important work. She does not apologize for her involvement with this denomination, but rather provides a poignant testimony of the inworkings and machinations of the religion, as well as the devastation often experienced by those who either choose to leave or are expelled. This book should be a part of the library of anyone who has ever had even remote contact or involvement with Jehovah's Witnesses. A must-read!
Rating:
Summary: Exactly On Target, but JWs Won't Read It
Review: Diane Wilson has written a tightly, specifically documented book with exceptionally few errors or distortions (there are a few).
Chap. 1: Explains how an early life of emotional put-downs prepares one for "rescuing" by organizations such as the Watchtower Society (Witnesses of Jehovah).
Chap 2: Presents the emotional "hooks" that convince the convert he/she has found "truth" at last.
Chaps 3-5: These chapters document numerous instances and methods of authoritarian manipulation and control, decreasing the convert's ability to trust her own thoughts, feelings or experiences
Chaps 6-11 relate numerous emotional struggles as the author balances fear, hope, anger, distrust, against ongoing manipulation.
Chaps 12-18 presents long lists of actual quotes from JW publications, displaying contradictions, inconsistencies, total reversals of "truth," absurd official excuses and shame-building tactics, teachings alleged from God that resulted in adherents' deaths from following mistaken medical advice, etc., etc. It's quite a horrendous litany, all with volume and page numbers specified.
Chaps 19-26 outline additional mind-control techniques and blatant absurdities that evoke laughter despite their tragic stupidity.
The Conclusion and Epilogue contain Ph.D.-professional commentaries on how cults control believers, and related scientific data. And I had thought that Mormons were criticizable under some of those headings! This book very competently demonstrates that the Jehovah's Witnesses are FAR ahead of Mormons in the manipulation race and zigzag-excuses techniques. All that said, the fact remains that many people find relative fulfillment in Watchtower Society life, causing it to be among the fastest-growing churches in the US. As my exemplarily rational father used to say, "There's nothing scarier than true believers."
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