Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions - Volume 1

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mackay, Charles, 1814-1889

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions - Volume 1" by Charles Mackay is a historical account written in the early 19th century. The book explores the fascinating and often irrational behaviors exhibited by societies throughout history, particularly focusing on collective delusions that have driven entire nations to the brink of folly, such as financial schemes and panics. The opening portion introduces the theme of societal madness and delusion, particularly around financial schemes, as illustrated through the life of John Law and his notorious Mississippi Scheme. Law's rise and fall are pivotal, showcasing how he captured the nation's imagination and trust with ambitious financial propositions, only to lead it into chaos as irrational exuberance took hold. Mackay vividly paints Law's transition from a celebrated financier to a scapegoat for the misfortunes that befell France, depicting a society blinded by greed and speculation, ultimately grappling with the consequences of its own collective madness. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer and David Widger

Notes:

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraordinary_Popular_Delusions_and_the_Madness_of_Crowds

Reading ease score: 63.5 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 1996-08-01