An impression one might get from reading the book is that seemingly all mass. It was one of those books id heard of, but never read, despite owning several used copies of it. Hoffer was to write several books throughout his career, but it was first book, the true believer which, published in 1951, made his name and fame. He was the author of ten books and was awarded the presidential medal of freedom in february 1983. Completely relevant and essential for understanding the.
Eric hoffer 19021983 was a selfeducated us author and philosopher who was a migratory worker and longshoreman until 1967. 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. While it is hoffers first book, it is also the mature thought of a thinker who. 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. This is a book of genius, comparable to the prince or rules for radicals, in its simplicity and insights into human nature and organized political action. The true believer the first and most famous of his books was made into a bestseller when president eisenhower cited it during one. Book awards book club selections books by author books by series coming soon kids books new releases teens books this month. The true believer eric hoffer paperback harpercollins publishers. The true believer project gutenberg selfpublishing. Eric hoffer, a selfmade man, a longshoremanphilosopher, has been chosen by president johnson to serve on a committee studying violence in the united states. The author of ten books, he was awarded the presidential medal of freedom in 1983.
Find out some of the best known quotes by eric hoffer. Eric hoffers the true believer and trump reason and meaning. 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 is a nonfiction book authored by american philosopher eric hoffer. 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. Summary of eric hoffers, the true believer reason and meaning. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements pdf epub book.
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. I first read this book in the 1960s, its the classic study of authoritarian movements. The book was published in multiple languages including, consists of 177 pages and is available in paperback format. Good copy with some rubbing to covers and spine slant. There is a lot to be said here, but ill just mention a few similarities. Hoffer was awarded the presidential medal of freedom in 1983. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements time reading program special edition by hoffer, eric and a great selection of related books. Each year hoffer is memorialized through the eric hoffer award for prose and books. The first lines of hoffers book clearly state its purpose. A fall at the age of 7 left him partially blind until he was 15, when his eyesight returned. 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. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading 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.
The true believer was hoffers first book and it was published in. Hoffers family was of modest means, and his early life was marked by hardship. A moral and social philosopher, eric hoffer was a sheer genius who is today regarded as one of the most important thinkers of the 20 th century. This book presents ideas about how mass movements work and the psychology of people that awakenjoin mass movements. Eric hoffer published it in 1951, when the memories of people like hitler, stalin. People wanted to understand why these movements sprang up and gripped millions of people, often with horrific results like the holocaust. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. Hoffer wrote this book after the second world war while the. The true believer revisited issue 34 philosophy now. The true believer download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. His first book, the true believer 1951, was widely recognized as a classic, receiving critical acclaim from both scholars and laymen, although hoffer.
In hoffers book, this hero, nourished by free societies, is set off against the true believer. Apr 30, 2018 eric hoffers the true believer is one of several insightful and important works that trace the trajectory of radical ideology of true believers in the bloody twentieth century. The true believer by hoffer and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. For booksellers and collectors of rare and antiquarian books. The true believer the first and most famous of his books. Youd be welladvised to read eric hoffers the true believer in full before you do. The true believer a new appreciation of eric hoffers. Eric hoffers the true believer is one of several insightful and. The true believer summary essay 1088 words bartleby. He values the search for truth as much as the truth itself. The true believer thoughts on the nature of mass movements. The book is an uncommon psychological and moral exposition of the marxistsovietinspired new man, which was touted by western intellectuals as the future of western. Aphoristic in style his later books would be even more in this vein, some having only a single sentence on a page, it was based upon years of reflection, and his. No doubt this book, written just prior to the outbreak of the korean war, served as one of his qualifications.
Naturally, the question arises as to the similarities between trump supporters in the usa and hoffer s true believers. The book is a critique of ideological fanaticism, tracing it to its psychological. Click download or read online button to get the true believer book now. Click download or read online button to get eric hoffer book now. A rising religious movement is all change and ex perimentopen to new views and techniques from all quarters. Eric hoffer biography 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. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Nine books later, hoffer remains a vital figure with his cogent insights to the nature of mass movements and the essence of humankind. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Allen scarbrough chose the true believer as one of 25 books that you need to read to know just about everything. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements perennial classics kindle edition by hoffer, eric. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements perennial classics hoffer, eric on. His prolific output includes such classics as the passionate state of mind, the ordeal of change, reflections on the human condition, the temper of our time, in.
The true believer by eric hoffer the greatest books. The conservatism of a religionits orthodoxyis the inert coagulum of a once highly reactive sap. This page contains details about the nonfiction book the true believer by eric hoffer published in 1951. Eric hoffer is a student of extraordinary perception and insight. This book is the 12nd greatest nonfiction book of all time as determined by.
Analysis of how beliefs influence actions and how actions influences belief based on islamic theology 1254 words 6 pages. In 2001, the eric hoffer award was established in his honor with permission granted by the eric hoffer estate in 2005. Aug 28, 2009 this is a thumbnail sketch of a few of the ideas from eric hoffer s book the true believer go to. Hoffer and the true believers the russell kirk center. Jan 19, 2010 the true believer is one of the most provocative books of our immediate day. Hoffer writes, the genuine man of words can get along without faith in absolutes. 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. Aphoristic in style his later books would be even more in this vein, some having only a single sentence on a page, it was based upon years of reflection, and his own observations of the rise of.
The true believer eric hoffer is a student of extraordinary perception and insight. The first and bestknown of hoffers books, the true believer has been published in twentythree editions. Aug 14, 2014 somewhere back in college i became familiar with the true believer. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of the true believer by eric hoffer. Eric hoffer 1898 1983 was an american moral and social philosopher who worked for more than twenty years as longshoremen in san francisco. Christian science monitor the famous bestseller with concise insight into what drives the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of a mass movement wall st. The best quotes from eric hoffers the true believer. Kati martons true believer is a true story of intrigue, treachery, murder, torture, fascism, and an unshakable faith in the ideals of communism. Somewhere back in college i became familiar with the true believer. It was written in 1951 and i first read it sometime in the early 70s. Eric hoffer published it in 1951, when the memories of people like hitler, stalin and mussolini were fresh in everyones mind.
The true believer and the nature of mass movements duration. Completely relevant and essential for understanding the world. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. He delights in the clash of thought and in the give and. The true believer a new appreciation of eric hoffer s classic book news, information, feature articles, and opinion regarding antiquarian, outofprint and rare books. This thoughtprovoking book investigates the elements common to all mass movements. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements by eric hoffer is a political philosophy classic from 1951. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Hoffer analyzes and attempts to explain the motives of the various types of personalities that give rise to mass movements. Recently on twitter i posted a quote of hoffers that id found years ago, which led to a conversation and actually reading the book. The longshoreman philosopher hoover institution press publication book 616. Excerpts from eric hoffers the true believer with annotations regarding the fitness aerobics movement ken hutchins, superslow exercise guild essay. As soon as he gained his eyesight, he read voraciously, taking up every book that he could lay his hands on.
Excerpts from eric hoffers the true believer with annotations regarding the fitness. However these intellectuals are more flexible than their true believers and followers. Eric hoffer july 25, 1898 may 21, 1983 was an american moral and social philosopher. 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. Nov 05, 2002 eric hoffer is a student of extraordinary perception and insight. Journal by presidential medal of freedom recipient eric hoffer, the true believer is a landmark in the. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements perennial classics hoffer, eric on amazon. The true believerthe first and most famous of his books was made into a bestseller when president eisenhower cited it during one of the earliest television press conferences.
The first edition of the novel was published in 1951, and was written by eric hoffer. A revolutionary movement is a conspicuous instrument of change. In my last post, i discussed eric hoffer s 1951 classic. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements perennial classics. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements 1951, is a work in social psychology. Nevertheless, they committed suicide for their cause. His first book, the true believer, published in 1951, was widely recognized as a classic, receiving critical acclaim from both scholars and laymen, although hoffer believed that his book the ordeal of change was his finest work. True believers unite into a close group which gives them a new identity and new life, and liberates them from the cage of their frustration. Eric hoffers landmark analysis of the psychology of mass movements identifies the appeal of these campaigns for frustrated people seeking to escape their own incompetency and build a new life. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements by eric hoffer online at alibris. The true believer is one of the most provocative books of our. The author uses examples of movements of all types from the past, as well as movements that were current when the book was written. It is a truism that many who join a rising revolutionary movement are attracted by the prospect of sudden and spectacular change in their conditions of life. From the intro, heres what its designed to explain.
Eric hoffer, american longshoreman and philosopher whose writings on life, power, and social order brought him celebrity. In walden henry david thoreau wrote, the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. Hoffers books were edited and restored to print by author christopher klim. Eric hoffer went on to write 12 books his first was by far his most famous. The range of his reading and research is vast, amazing. 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. Eric hoffer s the true believer is one of several insightful and important works that trace the trajectory of radical ideology of true believers in the bloody twentieth century. The true believer is one of the most provocative books of our immediate day. Anyone wanting to understand this horrible irony would do well to read eric hoffers 1951 classic, the true believer. Back in 1951, eric hoffer wrote a brilliant book called the true believer. The true believer the first and most famous of his books was made into a bestseller when. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Thoughts on the nature of mass movements is a 1951 social psychology book by american writer eric hoffer, in which the author discusses the psychological causes of fanaticism.