Book
The True Believer:Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements
Why people recommend it
The True Believer:Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements by Eric Hoffer is a classic social science inquiry into the psychological motivations and fanatical dynamics that drive people to join mass political and religious movements. Marc Andreessen recommended the text on the Lex Fridman Podcast, calling it the best book on politics written in the twentieth century for understanding the divide between elites and masses. On The Tucker Carlson Show, Neil Oliver cited the work while speaking with Tucker Carlson, observing how mass movements systematically seek to strip away personal and national identities. Sheldon Solomon discussed Hoffer's insights on Modern Wisdom regarding the behavior of certain leaders. Additionally, the book has been referenced on Timcast IRL, where a caller and the hosts explored Hoffer's assertions about revolutions occurring during improving conditions, and where a quote regarding how mass movements operate without a belief in a god but never without a belief in a devil was highlighted.
Who recommended it
Mentioned on the show without a named speaker — 6
“Hey Phil cast have you read the True Believer by Eric Hoffer Apparently revolutions happen when the when things are getting better Last episode was great I have not read that um but I am interested now so tweet that at me and I'll take a look”
“And here the best book is called "The True Believer," which is the Eric Hoffer book.”
“You know, people, in Hofer, in The True Believer and so on, you know, he wrote so effectively about how every mass movement has sought to take away people's national identity and their personal identity.”
“mass movements can rise and spread without belief in a god but never without a belief in a devil eric hoffer the true believer”
“Another guy i like a lot eric hoffer wrote a book called the true believer and what all these kind of leaders do”
“check out the book the true believer Eric Hoffer”