Extraordinary Popular Delusions and The Madness of Crowds

Charles MacKay's groundbreaking examination of a staggering variety of popular delusions, crazes and mass follies is presented here in full with no abridgements.
The text concentrates on a wide variety of phenomena which had occurred over the centuries prior to this book's publication in 1841. Mackay begins by examining economic bubbles, such as the infamous Tulipomania, wherein Dutch tulips rocketed in value amid claims they could be substituted for actual currency.
As we progress further, the scope of the book broadens into several more exotic fields of mass self-deception. Mackay turns his attention to the witch hunts of the 17th and 18th centuries, the practice of alchemy, the phenomena of haunted houses, the vast and varied practices of fortune telling and the search for the philosopher's stone, to name but a handful of subjects.
Today, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and The Madness of Crowds is distinguished as an expansive, well-researched and somewhat eccentric work of social history.

From the year 1812 to 1889, Charles Mackay, a skilled writer, and artist hailing from Scotland, lived a full life. He gifted the world with many of his works, including his most renowned tome, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, which saw publication in 1841 and is still beloved as a classic in the realm of social psychology. Mackay's eloquence knew no bounds, as he frequently contributed articles and poetry to a variety of periodicals. Furthermore, he was known to engage in speaking engagements to discuss his vast knowledge of all things literary. The course of history can be altered by powerful beliefs - something that Mackay was fascinated by in his work. Although he was interested in literary pursuits, he also used his platform to champion political causes (such as the abolition of slavery). With an impressive ability to convey complex concepts in an engaging and comprehensible manner, he demonstrates a sharp wit and a discerning focus on detail in his work.