To get something straight off the mark, there is much confusion among reviewers here concerning abridged vs. unabridged editions of this work, 780+ pages vs. 485 pgs. I can only state that my own experience of ordering the book on December 2, 2008 from the webpage on which I'm posting this review resulted in my receiving the 485 page UNABRIDGED version of the book from BN publishing. The reason that there are fewer pages is that the book, along with its pages, is coffee-table size LARGE- fewer, larger pages, same quantity of writing. Rest assured that this edition - in addition to the 1852 Preface - contains all 19 chapters unabridged, from "The Mississippi Scheme" to "The Magnetisers."
That settled, this book was a lark to read. Those who assert that this is not merely about financial matters are quite correct, and I pity those who only read an apparently abridged version, with three few, scant chapters. The author, to my delight, does not talk down to his readers - as many modern writers do. He assumes that they know enough Latin and French to translate phrases and titles and that they have a general knowledge of Western culture. He also has a dry Scottish wit which keeps one turning the (again, very large) pages throughout his far-ranging overview of the credulity of mankind. The parts which I found most striking are the following:
1.) The Mississippi Scheme, The South Sea Bubble, The Tulipomania
These are, of course, the financial crises chapters, which, frankly, make the cads at Enron appear not at all bad fellows by comparison.
My favourite passages here are the following:
"But the most absurd and preposterous of all, and which showed, more completely than any other, the utter madness of the people, was one (stock company), started by an unknown adventurer, entitled `company for carrying on an undertaking of great advantage, but nobody to know what it is.' Were not the fact stated by scores of credible witnesses, it would be impossible to believe that any person could have been duped by such a project."
And, this one will sound familiar:
"The public mind was in a state of unwholesome fermentation. Men were no longer satisfied with the slow but sure profits of cautious industry. The hope of boundless wealth for the morrow made them heedless and extravagant for to-day."
2.) The Witch Mania
This one struck home because it shows just how cruel humans can be when roused by superstition. Mackay, at one point, refers to other more comprehensive works on the subject, but demurs:
"He will gain nothing by lifting the veil which covers their obscenities, unless, like Sterne, he wishes to gather fresh evidence of `what a beast man is.' In that case, he will find plenty there to convince him that the beast would be libelled by comparison."
And, a few pages further on, he asseverates:
"That the malice of a few could invent such a charge, is a humiliating charge for the lover of his species; but that millions of mankind should credit it, is still more so."
3.) The Alchemists
This is a rather long chapter interlarded with biographies of famous and obscure practitioners of this daft enterprise. This chapter is mild and amusing. Mackay particularly has a soft spot for the Rosicrucians - still reviled by conspiracy theorists today, because of the debt which literature owes to them - most eminently Shakespeare's Ariel in The Tempest.
"Having these obligations to the Rosicrucians, no lover of poetry can wish, however absurd they were, that such a sect of philosophers had never existed."
I have just touched on the few sections which were of interest to me in this truly classic work which explodes so many follies of mankind, yet does not make a misanthrope of the reader. In the last chapter, The Magnetisers, Mackay adverts to one practitioner's, one M. Deleuze's, instruction to his followers, "Have an active desire to do good; a firm belief in the power of magnetism, and an entire confidence in employing it. In short, repel all doubts; desire success, and act with simplicity and attention." Mackay renders it thusly, "That is to say, `be very credulous; be very persevering; reject all past experience, and do not listen to reason'..."
In this line we have all that is necessary to become a dupe and/or a fanatic. Hopefully, this book, as well as providing information and enjoyment, will make readers think twice before adopting such a course.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more
Similar items that may ship from close to you
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
Vaughn Don
I atually thought is was a bigger volume. It's about a quarter inch thick. Anyway, it's a great book to have.
Reviewed in Canada on October 17, 2016