"Its theme is political fanaticism, with which it deals severely and brilliantly.
Author(s): Eric Hoffer
192 Pages
Philosophy, Political
Series Name: Perennial Classics
Description
About the Book
A stevedore on the San Francisco docks in the 1940s, Hoffer wrote philosophical treatises examining mass movements--from Christianity in its infancy to the national uprisings of modern times. His analysis of the psychology of mass movements is a brilliant and frightening study of the mind of the fanatic.
Book Synopsis
"Its theme is political fanaticism, with which it deals severely and brilliantly." --New Yorker
The famous bestseller with "concise insight into what drives the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of a mass movement" (Wall Street Journal) by the legendary San Francisco longshoreman.
A stevedore on the San Francisco docks in the 1940s, Eric Hoffer wrote philosophical treatises in his spare time while living in the railroad yards. The True Believer--the first and most famous of his books--was made into a bestseller when President Eisenhower cited it during one of the earliest television press conferences.
Called a "brilliant and original inquiry" and "a genuine contribution to our social thought" by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., this landmark in the field of social psychology is completely relevant and essential for understanding the world today as it delivers a visionary, highly provocative look into the mind of the fanatic and a penetrating study of how an individual becomes one.
From the Back Cover
A stevedore on the San Francisco docks in the 1940s, Eric Hoffer wrote philosophical treatises in his spare time while living in the railroad yards. The True Believer -- the first and most famous of his books -- was made into a bestseller when President Eisenhower cited it during one of the earliest television press conferences.Completely relevant and essential for understanding the world today, The True Believer is a visionary, highly provocative look into the mind of the fanatic and a penetrating study of how an individual becomes one.
Review Quotes
"The True Believer glitters with icy wit. . . bristles with deadly parallels. . . . It is a harsh and potent mental tonic." - New York Times
"Its theme is political fanaticism, with which it deals severely and brilliantly. . . . It owes its distinction to the fact that Hoffer is a born generalizer, with a mind that inclines to the wry epigram and icy aphorism as naturally as did that of the Duc de La Rochefoucauld." - The New Yorker
Hoffer's 1951 classic reads as even more incisive today. . . . It offers a timeless psychological study of the lure of the fanatic. Those hoping for insights into the success of Donald Trump's 'America First' politics could do worse than start here. - Edward Luce, The Week ("Edward Luce's 6 favorite books that predicted the future of politics")
"If you want concise insight into what drives the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of a mass movement at their most primal level, may I suggest an evening with Eric Hoffer." - Wall Street Journal
Dimensions (Overall): 7.9 Inches (H) x 5.2 Inches (W) x .7 Inches (D)
Weight: .35 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 192
Genre: Philosophy
Sub-Genre: Political
Series Title: Perennial Classics
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Format: Paperback
Author: Eric Hoffer
Language: English
Street Date: September 3, 2002
TCIN: 53755228
UPC: 9780060505912
Item Number (DPCI): 248-00-2597
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 0.7 inches length x 5.2 inches width x 7.9 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.35 pounds
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