Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
When Prophecy Fails  By  cover art

When Prophecy Fails

By: Leon Festinger, Henry W. Riecken, Stanley Schachter
Narrated by: Warren Keyes
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $30.41

Buy for $30.41

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Originally published in 1956, When Prophecy Fails is a psychological study of a UFO cult and their belief of an apocalypse. It discusses the psychological dissonance experienced when the prophesied date passes with no event.

©1956 Leon Festinger (P)2021 Yashiki Audio

What listeners say about When Prophecy Fails

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    11
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    12
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating

The account of the the study was more engaging than I had expected. I have listened several times to understand the different components better. So applicable to modern life, especially qanon and evangelical thinking. I personally found the narrator’s weird noises when he messed up comical and charming but I can see how it could irritate other listeners.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • jj
  • 03-28-23

Relevant in today's credulous world.

This is where the term 'cognitive dissonance' evolved and it is this the true believers flail to tamp down, ignoring facts, science, evidence and\or all reason. Start here if you want to understand why Fox audiences and Jehovah's Witnesses are zombies when it comes to the myths they cling to

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • JB
  • 08-25-23

Fascinating, but outakes were left in audiobook!

The story was fascinating and written like a polished mystery novel, but the outakes of the audiobook were left in this recording. You'll suddenly hear the reader clear his throat and say "beep beep" and reread the sentence.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

An incredibly well done analysis

This goes on my shelf where I keep books that have changed my thinking. Crowds and Power by Elias Canetti; Darwin’s dangerous idea by Daniel dennett. This is such a striking series of observations and applicable to so many current situations it should be taught in schools

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!