I was reminded of a book i hadnt read in over fifteen years, and its observations on the rise of. 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. The true believer and the nature of mass movements duration. Read today, however, this book is mediocre, at best. We look at their causes, those most prone to join a mass. 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. See all books authored by eric hoffer, including the true believer. In 2005, the eric hoffer estate granted its permission for the award, and christopher klim became the awards chairperson. The true believer pt 8, section 43 by eric hoffer read by a poetry. A mass movement is a form of social, economic, or religious movement where a. He was the author of ten books and was awarded the presidential medal of freedom in february 1983. The true believer is the book that eisenhower gave all his friends. It was written in 1951 and i first read it sometime in the early 70s.
The true believer summary essay 1088 words bartleby. Summary of eric hoffers, the true believer reason and. Eric hoffer, in his seminal work, the true believer. The true believer by hoffer, eric and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The main characters of this non fiction, philosophy story are. The true believer by eric hoffer perennial p 71 1966.
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 in 1967, in the oval office, visiting president lyndon baines johnson hatred is the most accessible and comprehensive of all the unifying agents mass movements can rise and spread without belief in a god, but never without a belief in a devil. Mass movements can rise and spread without belief in a god, but never without a belief in a devil. Eric hoffer published it in 1951, when the memories of people like hitler, stalin and mussolini were fresh in everyones mind. This endorsement made hoffer, a selfeducated san francisco stevedore, famous. Eric hoffer wrote philosophical treatises in his spare time while living in the railroad yards. The best quotes from eric hoffers the true believer. His first book, the true believer, was widely recognized as a classic, receiving critical acclaim from both scholars and laymen, although hoffer believed that the ordeal of change was his finest work. When, a few years ago, i became aware of the terrorist network of bin laden i could not help but think back to this excellent, concise book by eric hoffer. Find out some of the best known quotes by eric hoffer.
In this lecture we examine eric hoffers fascinating analysis of mass movements. The first edition of the novel was published in 1951, and was written by eric hoffer. People wanted to understand why these movements sprang up and gripped millions of people, often with horrific results like the holocaust. Hoffer describes the means groups use to spread their message, the appeals to brotherhood, to the nation, to patriotism, to traditional family values, and the use of force or violence if necessary. In walden henry david thoreau wrote, the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements by eric hoffer is a political philosophy classic from 1951. 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. It is necessary for most of us these days to have some insight into the motives and responses of the true believer. Eric hoffer and the creation of fanatical mass movements. The true believer eric hoffer paperback harpercollins publishers.
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 writing reflects that to an extent. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements 1951, viewed the postwar world at midcentury with trepidation. Hoffer breaks down various personality types that have been historically associated with. 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.
Thoughts on the nature of mass movements by eric hoffer online at alibris. Eric hoffer books list of books by author eric hoffer. This could easily be seen as hoffer s starting point. Mar 01, 2020 it is necessary for most of us these days to have some insight into the motives and responses of the true believer. The true believer is a very insightful book into the nature of mass movements. Eric hoffer was an american moral and social philosopher.
The true believer revisited issue 34 philosophy now. The true believer eric hoffer ebook harpercollins publishers. The true believer became widely read after thenpresident dwight eisenhower recommended it as an essential book. The range of his reading and research is vast, amazing. Hoffers moral and social philosophy throws a light on various aspects of life such as happiness, expectation, hope, joy, kindness, compassion, selfesteem, strength and so on.
Hoffer considered his best work to be the true believer, a landmark explanation of fanaticism and mass movements. Youd be welladvised to read eric hoffers the true believer in full before you. Back in 1951, eric hoffer wrote a brilliant book called the true believer. In 1970 he endowed the lili fabilli and eric hoffer laconic essay prize for students, faculty, and staff at the university of california, berkeley. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements eric hoffer 1898 1983 was an american moral and social philosopher who worked for more than twenty years as longshoremen in san francisco. 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.
In 1951, the american philosopher eric hoffer attempted to answer this, and published his first and most wellknown work. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. It was one of those books id heard of, but never read, despite owning several used copies of it. Eric hoffer published it in 1951, when the memories of people like hitler, stalin and mussolini were fresh in. A rising religious movement is all change and ex perimentopen to new views and techniques from all quarters. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the true believer. 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. Completely relevant and essential for understanding the world. Summary of eric hoffers, the true believer reason and meaning. Apr 30, 2018 the true believer was published in 1951.
For though ours is a godless age, it is the very opposite of irreligious. Click download or read online button to get eric hoffer book now. The true believerthe first and most famous of his bookswas. Aug 06, 2019 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 project gutenberg selfpublishing. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements was written by eric hoffer 19021983, a very unconventional man and a freethinker. Eric hoffer was, dwight eisenhower said in 1952, his favorite philosopher. The true believer is a manuscript that attempts to grant justification as to why people would be drawn to a mass movement. The true believer is one of the most provocative books of our immediate day.
Thoughts on the nature of mass movements pdf epub book. Apr 08, 2019 eric hoffer was, dwight eisenhower said in 1952, his favorite philosopher. The book was published in multiple languages including, consists of 177 pages and is available in paperback format. Somewhere back in college i became familiar with 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. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements, and the passionate state of mind. 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. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements was written by eric hoffer 19021983, a very. 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. Aug 14, 2014 somewhere back in college i became familiar with the true believer.
Hoffer is, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest observers of the human condition ever. From the intro, heres what its designed to explain. Hoffer was a consummate observer of peoples thoughts, emotions, and actions. The conservatism of a religionits orthodoxyis the inert coagulum of a once highly reactive sap. Hoffer and the true believers the russell kirk center. The true believer the first and most famous of his books was made into a bestseller when president eisenhower cited it during one. The book is a critique of ideological fanaticism, tracing it to its psychological roots.
Combining the life of a working man with a life of reading and writing, the san francisco longshoreman eric hoffer became a noted philosopher, a bestselling author, and an acute observer of american life. His papers in the hoover archives run to many thousands of pages and include journals that have never been. Australian foreign minister julie bishop extensively referred to hoffers book the true believer when in a 2015 speech she closely compared the psychological underpinnings of isis with that of. The true believer looks at the nature of mass movements. The true believer summary and quotes by eric hoffer. The son of alsatian immigrants to the united states, he was born in new york city. This could easily be seen as hoffers starting point. 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 lead to fanaticism among both leaders and followers. 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. While it is hoffers first book, it is also the mature thought of a thinker who, by the time of the book s publication, had spent several decades working alongside other men in difficult jobs. He found it difficult to explain the forces that had channeled the disillusion of trench warfare and poison gas, had established the.
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 true believer the first and most famous of his books was made into a. The true believer and the nature of mass movements. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements by eric hoffer. 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.
As soon as he gained his eyesight, he read voraciously, taking up every book that he could lay his hands on. Eric hoffer is a student of extraordinary perception and insight. 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. It is the type of book that congratulates the reader while pretending to challenge him. The first lines of hoffers book clearly state its purpose. The true believer is one of the most provocative books of our immediate.