Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds
Charles Mackay's Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions, first published in 1841 and revised in 1852, is a history of collective folly that has been reprinted whenever a new bubble bursts. The famous opening chapters narrate John Law's Mississippi Scheme in France, the English South Sea Bubble of 1720, and the Dutch tulip mania; a long section follows the alchemists from Geber to Cagliostro. Then come modern prophecies, fortune-telling, the magnetizers, the political history of hair and beards, the Crusades, the witch mania, the slow poisoners, haunted houses, the popular follies of great cities, the admiration of great thieves, and duels and ordeals. Both volumes are included. Mackay is a brisk, skeptical narrator with an eye for the absurd. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
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Frequently asked questions about Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds
Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds online?
Yes. Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds in the public domain?
Yes. Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds?
About 18 h 37 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds?
Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
