Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds"Every age has its peculiar folly; some scheme, project, or phantasy into which it plunges, spurred on by the love of gain, the necessity of excitement, or the mere force of imitation," said author Charles Mackay. It was true then in 1841, and it is certainly true now. This informative, funny collection of popular delusions, from Alchemy to Mesmerism, has become a classic--a study of mass manias, crowd behavior, and human folly. The book encompasses a broad range of scams, manias, and deceptions including witch burning and the Great Crusades. Here are the human quirks that created the Mississippi Bubble and Tulipomania--when speculators lost fortunes on a single tulip bulb. Here are the follies and fads that dictated fashion through the ages. |
Contents
THE MISSISSIPPI SCHEME | 1 |
THE SOUTHSEA BUBBLE | 46 |
THE TULIPOMANIA | 89 |
Copyright | |
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accused afterwards alchymist alchymy appeared army became believed body brought burned Cagliostro called cause century Christians Church confessed Count Count of Toulouse court credulous crime Crusaders cure death delusion devil discovered disease duel Duke elixir emperor endeavoured enemy England Europe evil favour fell France friends gave Germany Godfrey of Bouillon gold guilty hands holy honour hundred imagination Jack Sheppard Jerusalem John of Brienne king lady land latter lived livres London Lord Louis magnetised magnetism Matthew Hopkins means millions murder never Nicholas Flamel night Palestine Paracelsus Paris parliament persons Peter the Hermit philosopher philosopher's stone physician poison poor pope popular possession pretended prince punishment refused regent Rosicrucians Sainte Croix Saladin Saracens says secret sent shew soon South-Sea spirits thing thought thousand tion took transmutation trial whole witchcraft witches woman women