Tom Cruise: An Unauthorized Biography

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1992: Andrew Morton showed a Princess in a light we had never seen before–Diana: Her True Story became a #1 New York Times bestseller.
1999: Andrew Morton revealed the young woman behind the blue dress–Monica’s Story was a #1 New York Times bestseller.

January 15, 2008: Andrew Morton uncovers the true story of the biggest celebrity of our age.

Everyone knows Tom Cruise—or at least what he wants us to know. We know that he overcame a difficult childhood to star in astonishing array of blockbusters: Top Gun, Rain Man, Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men, Interview with the Vampire, Jerry Maguire, three Mission: Impossible movies, War of the Worlds, and more. We know he has taken artistic chances, too, and as a result has earned three Academy Award nominations and three Golden Globes, along with the respect of acting legends like Paul Newman and Dustin Hoffman.

After that, the picture becomes a little less clear. We know that Tom is a Scientologist, but not necessarily what that means in his life. We know that, despite persistent rumors about his sexuality, he has been married to Mimi Rogers, Nicole Kidman, and Katie Holmes. But it was not until the spring of 2005, when he jumped on Oprah’s couch to proclaim his love for Katie and denounced Brooke Shields for turning to the “Nazi science” of psychiatry, that we began to realize how much we didn’t know about the charming, hardworking star.

For two years, award-winning biographer Andrew Morton has been tirelessly seeking out everyone from former teachers and girlfriends to Scientology insiders to friends who have watched a once-bullied, “nothing special” outsider transform himself into an icon Forbes has called the most powerful celebrity in the world Here, with never-seen photos and never-heard revelations, is a riveting, sometimes shocking portrait of the real Tom Cruise—his work, his love life, his marriages, his religion—from a master at uncovering the true story behind the public face of celebrity.  Customer Reviewssinfully delicious
I’m about half way through the book and definitely enjoying it. You have to take it with a grain of salt since it’s unauthorized, but even if it’s only 75% true, there is some fascinating stuff in it!

On the money
I ordered this book early as Australian publishers don’t seem to be brave enough to stock this one, a testament to the influence Tom and the church seem to have.

To talk about Tom Cruise is to talk about the church and from what I have previously heard about Scientology I knew that the news was not going to be good in this book. I came away with the impression of a controlling and fanatical organization that may ultimately consume Tom and his children.

That said, I thought that Andrew was quite fair and gave a balanced view, after reading it I (and I suspect Mr Morton) have a great respect for the adversities that Tom overcame in his life and a different view about Nicole and the part she played in the downfall of their marriage.

I’m glad i’m not Tom, despite all the money, houses, servants, cars and ‘friends’. A cracking read with some excellent pictures I’ve not seen before.

It is a long way to fall!!
I have been interested in the workings of Scientology for a long time and also how Tom Cruise fit into the organization. Andrew Morton’s book is excellent. It is far from painting Tom Cruise black, but gives an interesting insight into an exceptional person. What I found amazing is that he worked so hard to establish himself as an actor and a dignified, powerful figure despite having dyslexia as a child, and then became a puppet of a Cult. If it quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, it IS a duck and Scientology is a Cult and a long way from a Religion.
Tom Cruise should take time and reflect upon the path his life is taking and who he is taking with him. Power brings responsibility. He should use it as HE wishes and not let himself be controlled by dubious people with agendas.

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