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May's Reviews > The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind

The Crowd by Gustave Le Bon
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For some reason, this book seems to be quite popular in the Middle East as the go-to source when one wants to learn about the psychology of crowds; however, I found very little science and plenty of the author's personal opinions and observations -which have not been systematically studied nor confirmed- with a dash of racism, sexism, and elitism on the side (I guess that should be expected, given that The Crowd is quite out-dated).

That it is not to say that it is completely worthless; it's not. First of all, Le Bon's writing is engaging, and several passages struck me as beautifully written and eloquent. And there are arguments and assertions that I think are likely to be true, such as people being impressed more with prestige and exaggerated, passionate statements rather than with rational arguments.
On a funny note, Le Bon maintains that mental illness, or "madness" is catching, so you might want to cross-reference what you read.

If I were to sum up my thoughts on this, I would say read it for the insightful observations that it offers, but not as a credible source with regards to the psychology of crowds. Scientifically robust and updated works should be sought instead.
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Reading Progress

August 22, 2019 – Started Reading
August 22, 2019 – Shelved
September 1, 2019 –
page 21
20.19% ""It is crowds rather than isolated individuals that may be induced to run the risk of death to secure the triumph of a creed or an idea...Such heroism is without doubt somewhat unconscious, but it is of such heroism that history is made. Were peoples only to be credited with the great actions performed in cold blood, the annals of the world would register but few of them.""
September 2, 2019 –
page 33
31.73% "Plenty of racism, sexism, and elitism here; not very much science. Still, there are a bunch of interesting opinions here and there. Thankfully this is a short book. Will get it over with soon."
September 10, 2019 –
page 52
50.0%
September 14, 2019 –
page 78
75.0%
September 17, 2019 – Shelved as: nonfiction
September 17, 2019 – Finished Reading

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