Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions — Volume 2

Name: Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions — Volume 2
Author: Charles Mackay

By Charles Mackay

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About This Book

This volume surveys episodes of mass delusion across history, detailing military crusades, witch panics, poisoning scares, and haunted-house reports. It compiles contemporary accounts and popular legends, retelling campaigns, trials, sightings, and moral panics while tracing common causes such as religious fervor, economic motives, social imitation, and sensational rumor. The narrative alternates anecdote and analysis to show how collective enthusiasm and fear shaped public behavior and policy. Concluding threads highlight patterns of credulity and the social mechanisms that sustain widespread false beliefs.

About the Author

Charles Mackay

Charles Mackay was a Scottish poet, journalist, and writer, best known for his seminal work "Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds." This influential book, published in 1841, explores the psychology behind mass movements and the irrational behaviors exhibited by crowds throughout history. Mackay's keen observations and engaging prose have made his work a significant contribution to the fields of psychology and sociology. In addition to his exploration of popular delusions, he also wrote poetry and contributed to various periodicals, reflecting his diverse literary talents and interests.