Rating: 
Summary: A serious "Must-Read," especially for women.
Review: Diane Wilson is not a polished writer. That having been said, her story will absolutely resonate with any woman who has been raised as or has converted into this religion.Ms. Wilson's personal path has led her to another church. That's fine; even if you're an atheist like this reader, you won't mind knowing that releasing oneself from mind-control gives one a dazzling array of options. As a young woman proselytizing, I once told a friendly person that God intended women to be in subjection to man. This man looked at me quizically and said, "I certainly hope you don't really believe that." As a not-so-young woman, I don't, but I cringe to think how many women are still trapped within that mindset. Ms. Wilson is doing her part to help them break those crippling ties.
Rating: 
Summary: Totally Awesome Book!
Review: Diane's awesome talent as a writer is clearly evident in her insightful and well-researched book. This book is so engaging, that after reading just the first page, I couldn't tear myself away from it. In addition to telling her fascinating story, it is also a very "freeing" book because it gets to the true reasons why the Jehovah's Witness religion is not the one and only "Truth" that the Watchtower Society claims it to be. These reasons are based on solid facts, as she quotes directly from the Watchtower's own literature including the name of the publication with the exact page number. Diane's sincerity shines through. She does not come across as "sour grapes" at all. It is a very intelligent book, which I believe will be instrumental in saving many lives.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating & insightful!
Review: Diane's book is one of those 'un-put-downable' reads, especially for someone like myself who is also enjoying a happy and healthy 'life after Watchtower'! I started to turn page corners down when I read a point that really hit home, until I realized that I was turning these corners on almost every page!! I have read many books written by former JWs, but this one was particularly well written and meaningful, containing the unique viewpoint of a woman trying to exist in this very male-dominated sect. Perhaps I'll buy a case and give them as Christmas gifts! :)
Rating:
Summary: A serious look into the inside of this organization.
Review: For some years I have worked with individiuals who are in extreme groups and thier families. I have read many books about the Jehovah Witnesses by ex- members and by theologians who have outlined the doctrinal differences and they are all good. However, this book shows an indepth look at the control and struggles that Diane went through before finally leaving. I liked the way her therapist just simply asked her questions that were obvious contradictions that she was already seeing for herself. He never put her or the organization down.
I am in the process of copying down the many contradictions that were listed on how many times the governing body through the Watchtower and the Awake magazines contradicted their doctrines going back and forth. I want to put them in a note book to have ready to point out when I have an oppotunity to talk with members of this group.
Diane points out that the Jehovah Wittnesses attempt to cover up their contradictions by saying it is new light or progresive light, it cannot be either because the doctrines go in reverse not once but several times. If one was to use this excellent resource, it would, I believe cause a member of this
organization to begin to question if this is the TRUTH.
Diane thankyou for your courage in writing this book which will help others to escape the control and fear.
Mark Roggeman
Rating:
Summary: Accurate and informative
Review: From the perspective of one who "drifed away" after many years of association with this organization, I must say that Diane Wilson's account of life as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is very similar to what I experienced. Many people are familiar with their policies about blood transfusions and have answered the door to find a Watchtower thrust into their hands; Ms. Wilson ably describes why Witnesses subscribe to these dangerous and disagreeable aspects of the religion. Another success of this book lies in the excellent way that Ms. Wilson has captured the Witness culture. Fear of demons (wacky), superstitions about using the word luck (odd), and the place of women in the organization (outdated) are some of the little-known parts of the belief system that set Witnesses apart. I very much appreciated Ms. Wilson sharing her exit experience. The trauma that she went through will be recognizable to many people. Her courage and insights will be inspirational.
Rating:
Summary: Accurate and informative
Review: From the perspective of one who "drifed away" after many years of association with this organization, I must say that Diane Wilson's account of life as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is very similar to what I experienced. Many people are familiar with their policies about blood transfusions and have answered the door to find a Watchtower thrust into their hands; Ms. Wilson ably describes why Witnesses subscribe to these dangerous and disagreeable aspects of the religion. Another success of this book lies in the excellent way that Ms. Wilson has captured the Witness culture. Fear of demons (wacky), superstitions about using the word luck (odd), and the place of women in the organization (outdated) are some of the little-known parts of the belief system that set Witnesses apart. I very much appreciated Ms. Wilson sharing her exit experience. The trauma that she went through will be recognizable to many people. Her courage and insights will be inspirational.
Rating:
Summary: Very personal account of struggle to leave "The Truth"
Review: Having read Martin's outsider-looking-in approach, with its heavy emphasis on doctrinal disputes, and Franz's headquarters-insider take on the very human behavior inside "Gods' Organization," I found Diane Wilson's account fresh and compelling. She writes of her personal spiritual journey--one that was distorted first by her human parents' failings, then by the failings of the spiritual parent that adopted her--the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Much of the unkind, callous, spiritually hypocritical treatment she encountered could probably be found in most religious organizations. People, after all, can be unkind, callous and spiritual hypocritical--especially when they believe themselves to be counted amongst a religious elite. What makes Wilson's story compelling, is that she belonged to a group that claimed exclusive hold to THE TRUTH. Anyone outside of the Jehovah's Witness family will be annihilated at Armegeddon, according to this sect. The author could not just change churches, or even denominations. The only escape was to leave the organization, and face damnation and the shunning family and friends. The horror of this option is compounded by the reality that Witnesses tend to have no relationships outside of their religious community, as such are seen as "worldly" or even satanic. Wilson tells a compelling tale of the dangers of having other gods (be they false deities, money, possessions, or religious institutions) before the Almighty God. Any sect that claims that it has the exclusive path to the Father, in fact has made itself an idol. Lord Acton's political statement that power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely applies well here, and Wilson deserves kudos for sharing her obviously painful decades-long experience.
Rating: 
Summary: It might be true but.....
Review: I am still one of Jehovah's Witness,for about a period of 20 years. I'm starting to have my first serious "crisis of conscience", quoting from Raymond Franz's book, about my relgion for almost a quarter of a century.
I haven't read this book totally, but it is not true that this religion goes to the extreme this lady says. Raymond's book is more objective, so if you'd like to read a more truthful story read his book. It is actually more shocking but not in the same manner as this lady tells her story. I don't think Raymond Franz, being a spiritual man as he is would have gone through every stage of this hierarchy if he had seen this type of behaviour in most congregations from the beginning. It is true that they discourage individuality but this lady exagerates.
I believe the Watchtower Society will seek out to discredit people like Raymond Franz or Carl Olof Johnson because they have credible evidence and have been respected and loved people in the Organization and fear they will make the Society's followers lose faith in it. They purposedly were pre-judged because they were thought to be a threat to the
Society's credibility. Now, this lady has a grudge against a small few of her ex-congregation. I have been a member of four different congregations in the Spanish circle in California, and I have actually questioned a few elders and circuit overseers on beliefs of the organization and their answer has been a passive "wait upon Jehovah". No judicial action has been taken towards me, probably because I'm a regular Joe and pose no threat.
The truth is that most JW's are God fearing people. Elders take their responsability too seriously because they feel a serious responsibility to keep their congregations clean. Just like any other organized religion, there is a legalistic approach: fear of being sued, and also a conflict of how far they can defend their old positions without being embarrased of admitting their mistakes. I actually have a sincere love for all of those who I've met through my experiece.
I hate to say bye to the organization because it is right: you can not resign without being discredited. It is possible to fade away though. Concerned friends will always visit you. And I have to admit that the best friends I have ever had I have met in the Kindom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Rating:
Summary: Good People Who Join Bad Religions
Review: I cannot adequately express how much I enjoyed Diane Wilsons book. I can completly relate to her experiences because I, too, was once one of Jehovahs Witnesses. In addition, I used to attend the same congregation that she did, so I knew her, her family and many of the people that she wrote of. At the time, I had no idea that she was going through such an ordeal, nor did she know that I going through a similar crisis of my own. While there are several good books that have been written about the Watchtower Society, I found this one particularly interesting as it was written from a womans perspective. The reader from Philadelphia who did not care much for the book misses the point entirely, in my opinion. I assume that this reader was never one of Jehovahs Witnesses, nor was he ever a member of an authoritarian religion or cult. There are many strong and intelligent people who become involved in cults. The more intelligent a person is and the more they are involved in the activities of the cult only makes walking away all the more difficult, in spite of any doubts or percieved hypocrisies in the organization! The mind is poisoned against everything outside of the organization, leaving one with "no other place to go!" It's not that different from a woman in an abusive relationship. "Well, why doesn't she just walk away?" People who have never been in a similar situation may not be able to understand or appreciate what Diane went through or how hard it was to leave, but I believe that her book will most definately be appreciated by former Jehovahs Witnesses!
Rating:
Summary: Sounds So Familiar
Review: I could relate so well to Diane's story. Unlike her, however, I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness. However, I felt the very same emotions as I began to experience doubts in the truthfulness of the organization. Having left fairly recently, it was very comforting to read the words of someone who could truly relate to what I have felt and am feeling. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has suffered the pains of having left this organization, as well as for anyone attempting to understand what ex-Witness friends or family members may have experienced or be experiencing.
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