For anyone that has been a "numerary" member of Opus Dei, the facts that the author describes constitute no surprise. In different countries, in different times, the story of strong psychological pressure and manipulation on potential recruits and on members has been repeating itself for decades now. The very detailed description of places, names, and practices, has made me so vividly recall the asphyxiating atmosphere that I once lived when recruited by Opus Dei at the age of fourteen. The book reflects the great fraud of the Opus Dei praxis which consists in presenting to the catholic people the attractive message of being a way to help them live their faith from within the society as citizens and professionals; however, once inside, the numerary member gradually becomes just a component of the recruiting machinery of Opus Dei. Without physical violence but via tremendous though subtle psychological pressure, the member gradually abdicates his/her own will and renounces to making his/her own decisions even on very small details of his/her life. Once the mind of a person has been manipulated to make him/her convinced that "the will of God is transmitted to him through the directors of Opus Dei", the degree of control over that person is complete. The book very well describes this process which is common to all "numerary"" members. The last part, describing the last stay of the author in the Opus Dei headquarters in Rome, is very impressive and demythify the figure of the founder of Opus Dei but does not constitute the key argument against the Work. It is all the previous chapters, showing how, in the name of the father, very young persons are recruited and converted into instruments of the Opus Dei organization through a process that finally makes them convinced that it is God's will that they become obedient members. With all my love for current and former Opus Dei numerary members who at very early age have undergone a recruitment and indoctrination process that has caused them anxiety and distress, I want to say that "Beyond the Threshold" is a true testimony of what Opus Dei has meant in the life of many.

I was a numerary of the Opus Dei in Spain for two years 1977-1978. I was recruited at the age of 19 while attending the University of Barcelona Spanish Studies course for foreigners. My parents who lived in the United States had to threaten with legal action before the Opus Dei allowed me to see them. The book brought back floods of memories. All the aspects of life within the Opus Dei that I had shared in common with Carmen, she had described absolutely accurately. I was alone in a foreign land and they took advantage of my vulnerability to take over my life. Luckily I my parents managed to get me out by hijacking me in London. Carmen has done the world a great service by exposing this terrible organization. I am still a daily Mass going Catholic, and now a medical school student. I was so glad to read that she had not lost her faith over her terrible ordeal. It's never too late to start over!

The book is as fascinating, as the Opus Dei is controversial. Definitely Opus Dei is not for every one and certainly it was not for Ms. Tapia. Many things in her book are true but her emotions reduce her credibility. Being a devout catholic I consider Opus Dei as one of the most conservative orders in the Catholic Church today, and a stronhold of our faith. Nevertheless their methods are sometimes questionable. I was active in the Opus Dei and I admire their principles but three points made me realize Opus Dei was not for me: 1.- Their fanatical devotion to their founder Mgr. Escriba. It is not a devotion but an obligation to worship him 2.- Their obsesive secrecy. It really seems that they want to to hide something wrong. If you are sure about your principles there is no need to hide them. 3.- Next to their secrecy, their recrutments methods (also secret)among young people. I support Ms. Tapia, Opus Dei is not perfect but neither is her. I should also say that Opus Dei is changing and becoming becoming more open.