The True Believer
#647 of 2,654 all-time
The True Believer
Eric Hoffer
10 people recommended it in 8 threads, 2017–2026.
What people on Hacker News said
Helped me better understand the Trump movement and similar nazi/alt-right movements that were beyond my ability to grasp before.
I think this book remains the most useful and concise guide to understanding mass movements and fanaticism I've ever read.
It's basically how to build a fanatic, a cult and a mass movement.
It's also required reading for Terrorism studies classes, and CIA personnel, the latter, using it to conduct regime change in banarepublics and oil bearing nations.
it unlocks a new way to view your fellow man by revealing the impulses that lead someone toward fanatical mass movements.
In a funny way, it frees you from participating in the pointless debates about ideologies and allows you to be more empathetic to those who have fallen into the trap of mass movements.
It helps you understand all mass movements from Trump-ism to Social Justice.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything? 2019 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why? 2017 · 2 recommendations
- My favorite nonfiction books about cults, scams, and schemes 2026 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are the best unknown books you have read? 2020 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Some Favorite Non-Technical Books (2018) 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List? 2018 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier? 2017 · 1 recommendation