| Author |
Mackay, Charles, 1814-1889 |
| Title |
Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions — Volume 2
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 61.4 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
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| Summary |
"Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions — Volume 2" by Charles Mackay is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. This volume delves into the various manias and delusions that have captivated societies throughout history, with particular focus on events like the Crusades, witch hunts, and superstitions that shaped popular thought. The book aims to provide insight into how collective human behaviors can spiral into mass hysteria and madness. The opening of the second volume focuses on the phenomenon of the Crusades, illustrating how religious fervor, societal pressures, and the quest for salvation fueled a sweeping wave of enthusiasm across Europe. Mackay describes how this era was marked by a profound belief in the impending end of the world, driving numerous pilgrims to Jerusalem in search of redemption. He introduces key figures like Peter the Hermit, whose impassioned appeals catalyzed the populist movement towards the holy war, and explores the intricate interplay of motives at work among different social classes. The section highlights the chaotic and sometimes brutal nature of the crusaders' journey, revealing the disparity between their lofty aspirations and the often grim realities they faced along the way. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
AZ: General Works: History of scholarship and learning, The humanities
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| Subject |
Social psychology
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| Subject |
Swindlers and swindling
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| Subject |
Impostors and imposture
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| Subject |
Alchemy
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| Subject |
Delusions
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| Subject |
Occultism -- Early works to 1900
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| Subject |
Investments -- Psychological aspects
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| Subject |
Stock exchanges -- Psychological aspects
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| Subject |
Hallucinations and illusions
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| Subject |
Common fallacies
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
713 |
| Release Date |
Nov 1, 1996 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jan 1, 2021 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
121 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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