Try free for 30 days

  • Blown for Good

  • Behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology
  • By: Marc Headley
  • Narrated by: Marc Headley
  • Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (42 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Blown for Good cover art

Blown for Good

By: Marc Headley
Narrated by: Marc Headley
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $27.99

Buy Now for $27.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

As seen on the Emmy Award-winning TV show - Leah Remini - Scientology & the Aftermath

Nominated by Foreword Magazine as 2009 Book of the Year Award Finalist 

Marc Headley provides an insider's view of life as a member of Scientology's "Sea Organization". Marc worked at Scientology's secret desert compound, which houses all Scientology management, for 15 years. The 500-acre property is located deep in the California desert. The local townspeople were told lectures and films were made there. But is that all that was happening? It is the location of a multi-million-dollar home for L. Ron Hubbard, built two decades after his death. It is the home of Scientology's current leader, David Miscavige. 

So what really happens at the Int Base? Are the stories on the Internet true? How does Scientology conduct management of its day-to-day operations? Could stories of armed guards, weapons, staff beatings, and razor-wire fences be true? If so, how could a facility like this exist in modern-day America? 

Hundreds of staff tried to escape over the years. Some succeeded but were never seen or heard of again; most failed. Why were people kept here? What really went on at the headquarters of Scientology? This is the story of what happened behind the Iron Curtain of Scientology.   

"...the Scientology cult, is I guarantee you, a thousand times more bizarre than you could have ever imagined." (The John & Ken Show, KFI AM 640) 

"Headley's book also provides stunning material that has rarely been collected in one place...a damning account of life working for Scientology leader David Miscavige at the secretive desert base...." (Tony Ortega, The Village Voice

"Marc Headley, a former insider at the church, has written a tell-all book, called Blown for Good, about his 15 years of work with Scientology. And folks...you can't handle the truth...." (The Frisky)

©2009 BFG (P)2018 BFG

What listeners say about Blown for Good

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    32
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    27
  • 4 Stars
    10
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    30
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 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

Wow! Amazing story

What an amazing story that follows similar lines to other books written by ex Scientologists which to me confirms the reality of those stories. Thank you for writing your story Marc.

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
  • s s
  • 11-06-2023

Amazing story Mark

Loved this book from beginning to end, also listen to blown for good you tube channel which is also great

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

Heartbreaking & Heartwarming

I loved listening to this book, spoken by the author. Marc does an amazing job, presenting his story and illustrating the “good “ that is done by fanatics in the name of religion.

In my recording, there appears to be a section missing. Chap. 31 ends with Marc getting on his bike and riding out to escape; chapter 32 begins with him already in town and under police escort. Nothing of what happened on the road is included in the recording. Not sure if this is how the book actually is or whether I have a corrupt recording.

I have heard the full story on blowing for good, but would love to have heard Marc relate it in his own words and voice.

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

You couldn't make this stuff up.

An amazing story of a man who basically raised himself & went on to survive incredible Human Rights abuses at the hands of a dark overlord. No, not Xenu. COB himself.
Marc's life inside CoS is the stuff of nightmares.
First he, and then Claire getting out is the fairytale ending this fabulous couple richly deserve; after all they were made to endure.

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

harrowing

eye opening, inspiring, devastating. I hope more people get out, I hope David Miscavage is finally one day held accountable for his crimes.

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

This book is great!

Blown for Good has been a famous title within the Scientology critic circles for years. Now I’ve finally read it I know why! It’s a great first person perspective of what it’s like from the inside of one of the most prestigious Scientology facilities, and it uncovers a whole lot of the abuse and terrible conditions that come up for the staff day to day. It also covers why its so hard to leave. Marc is a great story teller and I found myself glued listening for hours on end. Even after being a Scientology watcher for years and watching, reading and listening to countless hours of material, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Best of all it isn’t too dense and technical for newcomers to understand. It’s really excellent!

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

An amazing twist at the end

Wow this book was truly riveting insightful and sad. Sad as the effects of Scientology are so far ranging

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

Loved the whole ride!

I really enjoyed Marc’s way of expressing his story. Scientology has a lot of secrets to hide for the abuse to continue. I loved reading your book knowing it’s a small way to support this important information getting out. Loved the ending. Also LOVE SPTV 🙌

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

Every Scientologist should listen to this!

Thank you Marc, for sharing your story. It was incredibly enlightening. I was always under the impression when on staff that things got saner as you went up the management org board but that appears to be the reverse of what is true. I was Flag trained on the GAT evolution as a WC and later in 2002 as a Cramming Officer. Spent many years as the OES of an org in ANZO and departed Scientology in 2009. I did a year or two of research to unpack my 13 years inside a cult, how I got in and why, and what if anything I could keep from Scientology. Then started a decade long recovery involving partying, festivals, therapy, scientific materialism and philosophy, loads of TV and building a very successful business. Life is immeasurably better for having left and I’m often bought to tear just by the realisation “Oh my god, I’m free!”, even 14 years later. What a crazy journey and I’d just like to thank you and Claire for the amazing work you are both doing to help expose and shine a light on the truth about the abuses within the highest ranks of this destructive cult.

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

Blown away!

A riveting first-hand account of life inside a strange and controlling organization, laying bare the abuses within it.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.