
The World's Worst Cults
Al Cimino
Some individuals have such a magnetic personality that they can attract a hugely devoted following, ignoring the misdeeds of their leader and even committing evil on their behalf. With religious, spiritual or philosophical beliefs to guide them, cults can lead to some of the disturbing events of the modern era. Filled with shadowy rituals and sinister hierarchies and led by masterful manipulators, they can easily become the site of unthinkable horror - and it is only after the leader is brought down that those caught deep inside truly understand what was going on.
This book explores the cases of some of the most horrifying cults ever to have existed, including:
- The Family, led by Charles Manson, a cult of death and destruction which terrorized Los Angeles in the 1960s.
- The Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh, a doomsday cult that ended in a tragic shootout with the authorities.
- The Peoples Temple, led by the Reverend Jim Jones, who orchestrated a mass murder-suicide after convincing his followers to relocate to a remote commune in the Guyana jungle.
- Aum Shinrikyo, founded by Shoko Asahara, which carried out a number of terrorist attacks in Japan in the late 20th century.
Duration - 7h 1m.
Author - Al Cimino.
Narrator - Mack Gordon.
Published Date - Thursday, 01 January 2026.
Copyright - © 2025 Arcturus Holdings Limited ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
Some individuals have such a magnetic personality that they can attract a hugely devoted following, ignoring the misdeeds of their leader and even committing evil on their behalf. With religious, spiritual or philosophical beliefs to guide them, cults can lead to some of the disturbing events of the modern era. Filled with shadowy rituals and sinister hierarchies and led by masterful manipulators, they can easily become the site of unthinkable horror - and it is only after the leader is brought down that those caught deep inside truly understand what was going on. This book explores the cases of some of the most horrifying cults ever to have existed, including: - The Family, led by Charles Manson, a cult of death and destruction which terrorized Los Angeles in the 1960s. - The Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh, a doomsday cult that ended in a tragic shootout with the authorities. - The Peoples Temple, led by the Reverend Jim Jones, who orchestrated a mass murder-suicide after convincing his followers to relocate to a remote commune in the Guyana jungle. - Aum Shinrikyo, founded by Shoko Asahara, which carried out a number of terrorist attacks in Japan in the late 20th century. Duration - 7h 1m. Author - Al Cimino. Narrator - Mack Gordon. Published Date - Thursday, 01 January 2026. Copyright - © 2025 Arcturus Holdings Limited ©.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duration:00:00:11
Introduction
Duration:00:03:18
Sex Cults
Duration:00:00:50
Chapter 1: NXIVM
Duration:00:09:50
Chapter 2: The Cooperites
Duration:00:08:08
Chapter 3: Centrepoint
Duration:00:07:04
Chapter 4: Eastern Promise
Duration:00:15:08
Chapter 5: Jesus Freaks
Duration:00:10:40
Chapter 6: The Science Research Foundation
Duration:00:09:42
Death Cults
Duration:00:00:37
Chapter 7: Aum Shinrikyo
Duration:00:38:40
Chapter 8: Heaven’s Gate
Duration:00:09:51
Chapter 9: The Solar Temple
Duration:00:10:31
Chapter 10: The Peoples Temple
Duration:00:42:03
Chapter 11: The Branch Davidians
Duration:00:16:42
Chapter 12: The Manson Family
Duration:00:45:07
Chapter 13: The Twenty-Two Disciples of Hell
Duration:00:19:47
Chapter 14: Killer Cults
Duration:00:12:08
Political Cults
Duration:00:00:36
Chapter 15: Colonia Dignidad
Duration:00:12:55
Chapter 16: The Reichsbürger Movement
Duration:00:09:32
Chapter 17: MOVE
Duration:00:09:20
Chapter 18: Nuwaubian Nation
Duration:00:08:34
Hermetic Cults
Duration:00:00:38
Chapter 19: Ordo Templi Orientis
Duration:00:13:40
Chapter 20: Scientology
Duration:00:15:12
Chapter 21: The Church of Satan
Duration:00:30:51
Chapter 22: The Process Church
Duration:00:14:52
Chapter 23: Another Family
Duration:00:11:24
Chapter 24: Synanon
Duration:00:08:57
Chapter 25: Early Christian Cults
Duration:00:06:31
Chapter 26: The Skoptsy
Duration:00:06:34
Chapter 27: Raëlism
Duration:00:11:21
Closing Credits
Duration:00:00:22