[.ca] The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements (ISBN 0060505915)

Pegs the previous reviewer:
The reviewer, with his hip Michael Moore attitude, obviously didn't understand the book. He makes reference to the Nazis wanting to surrender to the Allies rather than the Soviets--um, did Hitler/Goebbels/Himmler surrender to *anyone*? The nonideological soldiers, the middle men, they weren't the "true believers", the members of the mass movement who articulated the vision of the Third Reich, who invested their egos into the identity of National Socialism, went down w/ the ship. The suicide rate amongst Germans at the end of WWII was higher than the suicide rate amongst Jews in the concentration camp. Not everyone living under a tyrannical minority is a member of a mass movement, not everyone is a "true believer". As Hoffer said so himself, "The game of history is usually played by the best and the worst over the heads of the majority in the middle." Yeah, the previous reviewer sure did read this book, didn't he! As for the interchangability between Nazis and Commies--it often happened, however it requires some amount of cognitive dissonance to trigger the change. A traumatic event, or a revelation. We see it often on the scale of American culture--David Horowitz and David Brock, Dennis Miller and Ariana Huffington, for example. Fundamentalist Christians become militant atheists. Militant atheists become fundamentalist Christians. Hoffer's conclusion does not differ much from a LEFT wing psychoanalyst, Erich Fromm, who articulated similair views about tribalism as the result of individual narcissism sublimated into group narcissism. They seem to be working on the same wavelength, at least when it comes to group think, group psychosis. "A man is likely to mind his own business when it was worth minding. When it is not, he takes his mind off of his own meaningless affairs by minding other people's business." "Mass movements can rise and spread without the belief in God, but never without belief in a devil." Gee, what irrational side of the political spectrum does *that* describe? ABB? "Those who find no difficulty in decieving themselves are easily decieved by others." Hoffer is not perfect and he stretches on some points. He also approaches mass movements from an amoral point of view--ie, if there was some group out there that miraculously had the truth w/ a capital T, whether divine or scientific in a Grand Unified Theory way, it would still be just like other mass movements preying on the same psychological weaknesses. This book is about human nature and the tribal instinct, not specific moral values. A masterpiece nonetheless, that dissects much of the current worldwide political climate.

Wacko Hullaballoo!:
The dust jacket for the original 1951 print sells "The True Believer" as insight into Stalin's "'secret weapon,' his ability to generate enthusiasm and self sacrifice in all manner of people." It's a misleading premise. Stalin and many of Hoffler's other examples are less mass movement leaders than totalitarian dictators! They do not sweep unfulfilled people off their feet, but subdue and rule through force. Myriad peoples struggle to get away from the world's "Stalins," not follow them! The Soviet Union and scores of dictatorships have fallen in recent decades because the "leader" exhausted resources trying to *contain* "his people!" In short, there is no differentiation between "mass movement" and reign of terror! Broadly, Hoffer claims there is a mass movement man/personality, afraid of his own freedom - of facing himself. Why then, did vanquished Nazis (the epitome of Hoffler's "true believers") strive desperately to surrender to the U.S. rather than fall into the hands of Soviets (the other epitome)? Hoffler theorizes that "true believers" would rather go from communist to fascist, or vice versa, rather than become a democrat - for the "true believer," any mass movement is preferable to individuality. Then wouldn't Nazis abhor America's individual freedoms and run instead into the bosom of Stalin's "mass movement?" For the best answer to that, ask folks who ran through barbed wire and climbed a Wall to get to the West. More troubling is Hoffer's consistent allusion that slaves want to be slaves. For example, Hoffer pulls these theories out of his rump: "The absolute equality among the slaves, and the intimate communal life in slave quarters, preclude individual frustration." And, "The segregated Negro in the South is less frustrated than the non-segregated Negro in the North" (#26, 40). Tell it to Rosa Parks! Much of this book is an insult to oppressed people... and to many of America's guiding principles. For most of Hoffer's theories, he cherry picks one example from scores of nations and thousands of years. A gullible reader could think up further examples to support Hoffer's claims. And a mildly discerning reader could come up with a handful of counter examples. In short, Hoffer explains mass movements like Nostradamus explains the future. In fairness, Hoffer is dead on with some points (wink). Like when he says failed or dried up artists "become the most violent extremists in the pursuit of their holy cause" (#37). The example of Hitler "verifies" this theory. And so does my friend Joe. He used to do cartoon sketches of people (giant head, small body). He'd ask what their favorite sport was, and sketch in a tennis racquet or skis, etc. One day he lost his touch -- and he is now the most rabid 49er fan I know! In Hoffler style, here's my rating guide: People who give 5 star reviews are eager to praise something outside themselves. A leader who promises answers easily sways them. For example, Italians who cheered Mussolini were 5 star people. 1 star reviewers show disaffection with the book, reflecting their internal emptiness. They are despondent, ripe to be enthralled by a more charismatic book, and are prime candidates for a cult. For example, people who were bored with The Backstreet Boys were easily swept up by the flashy propaganda of N Sync. 4 star people are sad, pathetic losers. They are perhaps most dangerous to global stability. 3 star reviewers are compromisers, clinging to a middle ground. Afraid to choose, they are desperate for a mass movement to choose for them. 3 star movements include Bolshevism, early Christianity, and Hulkamania. I give 2 stars. And I recommend the writings and life of Orwell (not too much, I mean I don't worship the guy or anything!) for clearer takes on "mass movements" and individuality. Peace out, fellow individuals!

Insightful and Relevant:
Hoffer explains eloquently the various philosophical natures of extremism and radicalism and the various criteria these groups or individuals meet or need to become full-blown true believers. Hoffer's personal story makes this work of genius all the more important as it proves that one does not need academic training or a college education to compose a philosophical work such as this. This work, although it was written in 1951, remains relevant in current times and proves quite insightful insofar as Westerners may be able to better understand the proselytizing nature of Islamic interpretations.

I USED TO BE ONE!:
Take it from an ex-"born again" Christian this book is the best explanation of how and why people join cults, religions, gangs, and terrorist organizations. I read this book a few years after I regained my senses and stopped being a "born again." Hoffer offers a clear explanation about why many are drawn to "something greater than themselves." I highly recommend this book along with any of Nathanial Branden's books on self-esteem. And I most highly recommend HOW TO SAVE AMERICA AND THE WORLD because of its drawing together of all the themes in Hoffer's and Branden's work.

An essential book for our time:
The key to understanding destructive human organizations. The world is built by practical organisations, and it is periodically damaged or destroyed by "mass movements". From religous cults to the the open source movement, all mass movements have a similar structure and dynamic.