Memoirs Extraordinary Populare Delusions and the Madness Crowds

Name: Memoirs Extraordinary Populare Delusions and the Madness Crowds
Brand: Ascent Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Charles MacKay
ISBN: 9781469033259

Author: Charles MacKay

Narrator: Grover Gardner

Unabridged: 27 hr 1 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Ascent Audio

Published: 08/01/2015

Categories: Nonfiction, Psychology

Synopsis

Why do otherwise intelligent individuals form seething masses of idiocy when they engage in collective action? Why do financially sensible people jump lemming-like into hare-brained speculative frenzies--only to jump broker-like out of windows when their fantasies dissolve? We may think that the Great Crash of 1929, junk bonds of the '80s, and over-valued high-tech stocks of the '90s are peculiarly 20th century aberrations, but Mackay's classic--first published in 1841--shows that the madness and confusion of crowds knows no limits, and has no temporal bounds. These are extraordinarily illuminating,and, unfortunately, entertaining tales of chicanery, greed and naivete. Essential reading for any student of human nature or the transmission of ideas.

Reviews

Goodreads review by James

This is one of the greatest books ever written. First published in 1841, I think it has been in print continually ever since. Rare for a non fiction book. I read it about once every 10 years to remind myself of mob psychology. One of my favorite genres. Also the author has a gift for storytelling. Abo......more

Goodreads review by David

In the weeks before the election, as the financial crisis spun ever farther out of control and the pundits' shrieks grew ever more shrill, I browsed through "Popular Delusions.." and found solace. Charles Mackay's extraordinary survey of the various manifestations of mass hysteria throughout history......more

Goodreads review by Arminius

This book is quite a riveting book. The name of the book describes exactly what you might expect it to contain. “Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds” provides a list of history’s ridiculous schemes, fantasies, prophesies witchcraft, faith healers and more. The author then debun......more

Goodreads review by Lois

It's been too long since I've read this, but there's a reason it's been in print since 1841. Among other things, it has a classic account of the Dutch tulip mania, one of the first (but far from the last) market bubbles, and still instructive. And I see it is now available through Project Gutenberg......more