The Devil's Party: A History of Charlatan Messiahs
Jun 2011 · Random House
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About this ebook
Taking the most famous 'prophet' of recent times, David Koresh, as a starting point, this is an analytical look at the troubled history of charlatan messiahs around the world. But Koresh was neither the first, nor the most excessive, nor even the most misguided, and Colin Wilson looks at cult leaders from the early days of Christianity through, among others, the 'Rev' Jim Jones and Jeffrey Lundgren.
He goes on to consider what it is that makes these messiahs believe they are who they claim to be, and what makes people give up everything to follow them - a messiah is nothing without someone to believe in him. This comprehensive study untangles the history of the charlatan messiahs and explores their world view.
Colin Wilson's remarkable career has led him to write on subjects as diverse as archaeology, astronomy, cosmology, Egyptology, crime and the paranormal. His other books have been translated into many languages and he travels the world, lecturing and holding workshops.
He goes on to consider what it is that makes these messiahs believe they are who they claim to be, and what makes people give up everything to follow them - a messiah is nothing without someone to believe in him. This comprehensive study untangles the history of the charlatan messiahs and explores their world view.
Colin Wilson's remarkable career has led him to write on subjects as diverse as archaeology, astronomy, cosmology, Egyptology, crime and the paranormal. His other books have been translated into many languages and he travels the world, lecturing and holding workshops.
Ratings and reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Liz K
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June 18, 2021
Great book!! 👍👍Gives a very good, deep analysis of all the worst and most evil, anti; social false "Messiahs" and their motives you can shake a stick at; both (in)famous and not-so-famous (though some morally neutral movement leaders are also included, for contrast.) This book is the best argument I have seen as to why NOT to join a cult!!
A Google user
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July 27, 2012
I found this fascinating.
About the author
Colin Wilson burst upon the scene in 1956, at the age of 25, with his bestselling book, The Outsider. In the course of a remarkable career as an explorer of the human psyche, he has written on a wide range of subjects - archaeology, astronomy, cosmology, crime, Egyptology and the paranormal. His books, which include Alien Dawn and From Atlantis to the Sphinx, have been translated into many languages and Colin travels the world, holding workshops and lecturing.
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