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The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements (Perennial Classics) Paperback – January 19, 2010

by Eric Hoffer (Author)

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“[Eric Hoffer] is a student of extraordinary perception and insight. The range of his reading and research is vast, amazing. [The True Believer is] one of the most provocative books of our immediate day.”—Christian Science Monitor

The famous bestseller with “concise insight into what drives the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of a mass movement” (Wall St. Journal) by Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Eric Hoffer, The True Believer is a landmark in the field of social psychology, and even more relevant today than ever before in history. Called a “brilliant and original inquiry” and “a genuine contribution to our social thought” by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., The True Believer is mandatory reading for anyone interested in the machinations by which an individual becomes a fanatic.

The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements (Perennial Classics)

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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.

About the Author

Eric Hoffer (1902 -- 1983) was self-educated. He worked in restaurants, as a migrant fieldworker, and as a gold prospector. After Pearl Harbor, he worked as a longshoreman in San Francisco for twenty-five years. The author of more than ten books, including The Passionate State of Mind, The Ordeal of Change, and The Temper of Our Time, Eric Hoffer was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1983.

Series: Perennial Classics
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics (January 19, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060505915
ISBN-13: 978-0060505912
Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.4 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 449 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Compulsive Behavior
- #9 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Political
- #22 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Violence in Society

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Top customer reviews

This book, while somewhat dated (written while Stalin still ...

ByBillon March 30, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book, while somewhat dated (written while Stalin still ruled), is still frighteningly accurate and applicable to events unfolding even now. I found it difficult to read only in the sense that I did not want to believe that words written a few years before I was born could still so accurately portray the world and events that I see today.

0Comment 43 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

just like Darwin, still suffered from the time they lived ...

ByJustin McIntoshon August 17, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is a well written book by a non-academic. Though his writing could use additional sources, his revelations were sobering. In our society we tend to believe that it is only the lowest of the low, with nothing to lose, that could seek change. Rarely is the person who has to live hand to mouth that engages in revolutionary acts but it is those with some standing in society, but wanting more. To dismiss Mr. Hoffer due to his clearly racist mindset would be akin to dismissing all of Darwin's work because he said Caucasians are the highest race of humans. Mr. Hoffer, just like Darwin, still suffered from the time he lived and wrote in. It is easy for use to look down on philosophers from the past. Remembering the history and society of their time is important to understand what helped to produce their work.

In many movements that we have seen in the recent history we see similar threads to those discussed in this book. There must be a cadre of "true believer" these are necessary because there will be setbacks before the movement gains steam. During this time only those fully committed to the cause will stick it out.

This is a great book for understanding how and why movements form. Thought it is older and will reference Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Russia more that modern readers will likely appreciate.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Still relevant 56 years later...

ByChris JaronskyTOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE VOICEon February 4, 2007

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Eric Hoffer prefaces this book by noting that it contains his thoughts, not proven theories, on mass movements. After reading the book and seeing the many similarities he describes on the nazi movement, fascism, the catholic church, mormons, the American and French revolutions, I realized he may be on to something. I am sure many will be upset to see that the nazis and catholics have a lot more in common then they do differences. Thats not meant to offend, just to point out that both groups use very similar recruiting processes to grow the flock. Knowing how a person thinks and what motivates them is a great way to get them to join your team.

His thoughts on the factors promoting self-sacrifice and the identification with the collective whole has hit the bullseye in my opinion. I have never really understood kamikazes, or more recently suicide bombers, but now I have a clearer picture into their thought process. If you wipe out the identity of the individual and get them to identify with the group, it makes it easier to get them give up their lives for the good of the group. Pretty powerful stuff.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Required Reading

Bystefanie mccoyon July 1, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

In today's 24/7 rapid fire news cycles, people often get caught up in the hyperbole and sensationalism. They rally around so called leaders who do not have their best interests at heart. This book is timeless in nature and clearly outlines the psychology and tactics used to rally the masses. Moreover, it reveals the mindset of those who are most susceptible to succumb to a mass movement. This should be required reading in government and civics classes.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Holy Cow! What a powerful book

ByCinquainon May 10, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book is short but extremely dense. One paragraph can have you thinking for hours. This is a book I will certainly have to read and review at least 4-5 times in the future. I 100% recommend it.

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This book really gives you a good insight into the mind of fanatics

ByRobert Whitmanon July 27, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book really gives you a good insight into the mind of fanatics, whether political or religious. It discusses the various stages of fanatical mass-movements, too. That said, its mostly comprised of observations, anecdotes and historical examples. It is poorly referenced and lacks strong academic support. That said, i think its superior to much of what has been put-out by academia on the subject.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Hoffer's approach is great.

ByPiperon September 17, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A wonderful collection of ideas on the psychological aspects of political movements. Free of PC, claptrap and policy arm waving.

You will love it or hate it.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

It's a great reading. I liked the ideas and in-depth thoughts ...

ByD.X. Zhangon February 3, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

It's a great reading. I liked the ideas and in-depth thoughts offered by Eric Hoffer. It really helps understand the rational of mass movements and uprisings, either religious, political, or radical and terrorist like ISIS. It is also a good reference in studies of social psychology, especially mind control and manipulation.

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Most recent customer reviews

Worth the read again and again

Very intellectual trad with good life insights from a one of a kind person.... I miss him.

Published 22 hours ago by Dr. Z.

If you ever wondered why people can seem to be ...

If you ever wondered why people can seem to be crazy about politics or religion, thus book is for you.Read more

Published 6 days ago by Amazon Customer

Five Stars

Excellent product. Thanks! A+++

Published 18 days ago by WS61

Learn from history

This book is essential for anyone that is trying to lose themselves in a cause before they are experienced enough to know what life is about.Read more

Published 21 days ago by Salt1907

A true genius.

Clever and insightful. Excellent!

Published 28 days ago by THOMAS HARRINGTON

Trump-Hitler: Some people make the comparison

Incredibly interesting and pertinent view into mass movements and their leaders.

Published 1 month ago by TomatoTimes

Excellent Reading for would be Philosophers!

Magnificent author by a man who was a fruit picker, a longshoreman and common laborer. He had over 200 library cards.

Published 1 month ago by FoxwellT

Five Stars

Nails it.

Published 1 month ago by James Johnston

Thoughts on Mass Movements

I have read this book several times over the years. It is a classic in the sense that it both retains a freshness upon rereading and succeeds in challenging the reader with the...Read more

Published 1 month ago by James Henderson

An essential look at the mind of the fanatic. ...

An essential look at the mind of the fanatic. This unflinching look at the origins and dangers posed by mass movements of all persuasions is untainted by personal politics.Read more

Published 1 month ago by rsw

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