On the back cover of the January, 2002 edition of this book appears this brief description:
William J. Schnell was a young man eager to serve God. To him, the Watchtower Society appeared harmless, even valuable as a way to develop his faith and pass it on to others. Yet it soon became obvious that the Jehovahís Witness religion he had joined was anything but innocent. 30 Years a Watchtower Slave is Schnellís gripping account of the three decades he spent enslaved by Jehovahís Witness doctrines and methods. As you read his potent personal story, you will understand the true inner workings of the cult that enticed Schnell in the 1920s and continues to lure countless individuals today. Through the details of Schnellís involvement with the Watchtower Society and the riveting story of how he finally became free, you will be forewarned to their effective proselytizing campaign and better outfitted to witness to JW friends, relatives, neighbors, coworkersóand the stranger at your door.
The author of this book believes that the WTS had a master plan of evil and world dominance. His eyewitness accounts are very interesting, and at least half of them sound like they are true. Many, many experiences are portrayed in very bitter tones, making me question the validity of some of his complaints. On page 92 of this edition, Schnell refutes the Watchtower Society's interpretation of Revelation 13 (from the pamplet The Fall of Babylon) but then proceeds to offer his own interpretation of this chapter in the next paragraph - explaining that it is actually foretelling the "evil" WTS. I found this to be the low point of the book and almost unreadable. His version of the preaching work is also similarly unbelievable. Here is his 7 step proselytizing system:
1. buy out their time for the watchtower by selling books
2. visit all book purchasers in back calls
3. arrange for a home book study
4. lead their victims ito an area study for brainwashing and indoctrination
5. bring them to the watchtower study on sundays to learn to feed on Watchtower provided "food in due season" or Organization provender instead of the bible
6. inveigle them to become kingdom publishers and to attend the service meetings
7. climax the entire procedure by persuading the victims to become baptized and initiated into the Theocracy
Most of these statements are true, but as a JW we never discussed our "brainwashing technique". Once again, to buy into approx. 50% of Schnell's theories and writings, you must believe that the WTS formed an evil plan for world dominance after Russell's death. I'd only recommend this book to someone who has already read Franz's books and sort of knows where they are going w/ the JW religion. Most active JW's would laugh at this book, certainly not the same affect as Franz's books would have. XJW's and people on their way out may enjoy this book. I certainly don't regret buying it or reading it, if only for some of the eyewitness accounts.