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by John Forte
Pages: 123
ISBN: 9781848970045
This is an astonishing account by the contemporary British Vice Consul of the most sensational – virtually unknown – drama in the postwar history of Corfu in danger of being lost to posterity. It relates how self-styled Commodore, L Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology, came to Corfu on his flagship “The Royal Scotman” and was so captivated that he set about capturing the hearts of the Corfiots with promises of wealth and prosperity to support his bid to acquire the famous Palace of St Michael and St George as a University of Scientology.
However, when the deal was about to be signed, religious resentment, protest, and castigation by the International Press and advice sought from the British and Australian Governments prompted the Colonels to do a sudden U-turn and declare the Scientologists “personae non gratae” giving the Commodore 24 hours to sail with his flotilla and complement from Greece. (Though Hubbard claims the author was responsible and sues him in the Athens Court.)
But as the Duke of Wellington is quoted as saying of another occasion, “It was a damned close run thing.”
The drama is possibly unique amongst historical dramas in that it is brought to life by 33 revealing illustrations many of them fascinating beyond words.
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