In my last post, i discussed eric hoffer s 1951 classic. Eric hoffer was a workingclass american autodidact who authored a variety of treatises on moral and social philosophy. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements ebook written by eric hoffer. A moral and social philosopher, eric hoffer was a sheer genius who is today regarded as one of the most important thinkers of the 20 th century. After writing his first book, the true believer, he went on to publish over ten others. The author uses examples of movements of all types from the past, as well as movements that were current when the book was written. The true believer the first and most famous of his books was made into a. The true believer eric hoffer paperback harpercollins publishers. Hoffer and the true believers the russell kirk center.
His first book, the true believer 1951, was widely recognized as a classic, receiving critical acclaim from both scholars and laymen, although hoffer. From the intro, heres what its designed to explain. The best quotes from eric hoffers the true believer. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements by eric hoffer is a political philosophy classic from 1951. Hoffer wrote the book in 1951, when two of the most malignant mass movements in human history, those that produced the soviet union and nazi germany, sprung up, and the. In this lecture we examine eric hoffers fascinating analysis of mass movements. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the true believer. Eric hoffer quotes 235 quotes quotes of famous people.
Anyone wanting to understand this horrible irony would do well to read eric hoffer s 1951 classic, the true believer. His first book, the true believer 1951, was widely recognized as a classic, receiving critical acclaim from both scholars and laymen, although hoffer believed that the ordeal of. Naturally, the question arises as to the similarities between trump supporters in the usa and hoffers true believers. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements perennial classics by hoffer, eric and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. There is a fundamental difference between the appeal of a mass movement and the appeal of a practical organization. People wanted to understand why these movements sprang up and gripped millions of people, often with horrific results like the holocaust. His first book, the true believer 1951, was widely recognized as a classic, receiving critical acclaim from both scholars and laymen, although hoffer believed that the. It points out that mass movements grow out of frustration and boredom a man is likely to mind his own business when it is worth minding. Aphoristic in style his later books would be even more in this vein, some having only a single sentence on a page, it was based upon years of reflection, and his own observations of the rise of. Read today, however, this book is mediocre, at best.
Eric hoffer is a student of extraordinary perception and insight. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements is a 1951 work in the field of social psychology by american moral and social philosopher eric hoffer. Eric hoffer and the creation of fanatical mass movements. He received the presidential medal of freedom, in february, 1983. Eric hoffers the true believer and trump reason and meaning.
The range of his reading and research is vast, amazing. The main characters of this non fiction, philosophy story are. Naturally, the question arises as to the similarities between trump supporters in the usa and hoffer s true believers. This could easily be seen as hoffer s starting point. Since then the true believer has become a modern classic, a work periodically rediscovered to this day, most recently in the aftermath of the 911 terrorist attacks. The true believer summary and quotes by eric hoffer. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements is a nonfiction book authored by american philosopher eric hoffer. Recently on twitter i posted a quote of hoffer s that id found years ago, which led to a conversation and actually reading the book.
Summary of eric hoffers, the true believer reason and meaning. 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. We look at their causes, those most prone to join a mass. Eric hoffer 19021983 was a selfeducated us author and philosopher who was a migratory worker and longshoreman until 1967. In my last post, i discussed eric hoffers 1951 classic. Eric hoffer published it in 1951, when the memories of people like hitler, stalin and mussolini were fresh in everyones mind. Eric hoffer books list of books by author eric hoffer. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements perennial classics. Hoffer is primarily concerned with the active phase, the stage dominated by the true believer.
Eric hoffer s the true believer is one of several insightful and important works that trace the trajectory of radical ideology of true believers in the bloody twentieth century. 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. Eric hoffer july 25, 1898 may 21, 1983 was an american moral and social philosopher. The true believer is the book that eisenhower gave all his friends. Nevertheless, they committed suicide for their cause. The first edition of the novel was published in 1951, and was written by eric hoffer. Hoffers family was of modest means, and his early life was marked by hardship. The true believer is one of the most provocative books of our immediate day. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements 1951, is a work in social psychology.
Eric hoffer published it in 1951, when the memories of people like hitler, stalin and mussolini were fresh in. How to discuss a book helpful discussion tips generic discussion questionsfiction and nonfiction readthinktalk a guided reading chart also consider these litlovers talking points to help get a discussion started for the true believer. Published in 1951, it depicts a variety of arguments in terms of applied world history and social psychology to explain why mass movements arise to challenge to status quo, hoffer discussing the sense of individual identity and the holding to particular ideals that can. This endorsement made hoffer, a selfeducated san francisco stevedore, famous.
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. The true believer the first and most famous of his bookswas made into a bestseller when president eisenhower cited it during one of the earliest television press conferences. In 1951, the american philosopher eric hoffer attempted to answer this, and published his first and most wellknown work. Former migratory worker and longshoreman, eric hoffer burst on the scene in 1951 with his irreplaceable tome, the true believer, and assured his place among the most important thinkers of the twentieth century. Apr 08, 2019 eric hoffer was, dwight eisenhower said in 1952, his favorite philosopher. The true believer became widely read after thenpresident dwight eisenhower recommended it as an essential book. Eric hoffer was, dwight eisenhower said in 1952, his favorite philosopher. Eric hoffer was a san francisco longshoreman who selfeducated and left behind the true believer, an astonishingly insightful examination of the phenomenon of mass movements. Frustration seems to be inherent in this personality type. This book presents ideas about how mass movements work and the psychology of people that awakenjoin mass movements. This book deals with some peculiarities common to all mass movements, be they religious. The true believer and the nature of mass movements duration. In walden henry david thoreau wrote, the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.
Thoughts on the nature of mass movements perennial classics hoffer, eric on amazon. The true believer and the nature of mass movements. He was the author of ten books and was awarded the presidential medal of freedom in february 1983. Eric hoffer, book the true believer the true believer 1951, part one. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements, and the passionate state of mind. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements is a 1951 social psychology book by american writer eric hoffer that discusses the psychological causes of fanaticism the book analyzes and attempts to explain the motives of the various types of personalities that give rise to mass movements. Author of ten books, his big break came in when he penned the true believer which amassed recognition and acknowledgement from the critics and audience alike. The author of ten books, he was awarded the presidential medal of freedom in 1983. He cautions that although mass movements share many traits this does not imply that theyre equally harmful or beneficent. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements is a 1951 social psychology book by american writer eric hoffer, in which the. The true believer revisited issue 34 philosophy now. A fall at the age of 7 left him partially blind until he was 15, when his eyesight returned.
Thoughts on the nature of mass movements pdf epub book. It is the type of book that congratulates the reader while pretending to challenge him. Eric hoffer, born july 25, 1902, new york citydied may 21, 1983, san francisco, american longshoreman and philosopher whose writings on life, power, and social order brought him celebrity hoffer s family was of modest means, and his early life was marked by hardship. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements the true believer became a hit because it was released on the heels of world war ii and at the outset of the ussoviet cold war, and hoped to. Eric hoffer 1898 1983 was an american moral and social philosopher who worked for more than twenty years as longshoremen in san francisco. The book was published in multiple languages including, consists of 177 pages and is available in paperback format. Apr 30, 2018 eric hoffers the true believer is one of several insightful and important works that trace the trajectory of radical ideology of true believers in the bloody twentieth century. The first lines of hoffers book clearly state its purpose. 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. Eric hoffer, american longshoreman and philosopher whose writings on life, power, and social order brought him celebrity. N o one had heard of eric hoffer until he published the true believer 1951, a set of reflections about mass movements and those attracted to them. Youd be welladvised to read eric hoffers the true believer in full before you. The book is a critique of ideological fanaticism, tracing it to its psychological roots.
Discussion questions use our litlovers book club resources. In hoffers book, this hero, nourished by free societies, is set off against the true believer, who begins as a frustrated man driven by guilt, failure and selfdisgust to bury his own identity in a. The book tries to understand and explain, not pass judgment. The book is an uncommon psychological and moral exposition of the marxistsovietinspired new man, which was touted by western intellectuals as the future of western. Eric hoffer july 25, may 21, was an american moral and social philosopher. Hoffer was to write several books throughout his career, but it was first book, the true believer which, published in 1951, made his name and fame. Eric hoffer, a selfmade man, a longshoremanphilosopher, has been chosen by president johnson to serve on a committee studying violence in the united states. The true believerthe first and most famous of his bookswas made into a bestseller when president eisenhower cited it during one of the earliest television press conferences. Back in 1951, eric hoffer wrote a brilliant book called the true believer. May 10, 2011 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.
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