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Stop Mass Hysteria: America's Insanity from the Salem Witch Trials to the Trump Witch Hunt
#1 NYT bestselling author Michael Savage calls out the mass hysteria mongers and their methods, and shows Americans that we must look to history to understand the present and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
Since Donald Trump's historic ascendance to the presidency, American politics have reached a boiling point. Social and economic issues, even national security, have become loud, violent flashpoints for political rivals in the government, in the media and on the streets. This collective derangement has a mass hysteria.
In his new book, Stop Mass Hysteria , #1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Savage not only deconstructs the Left's unhinged response to traditional American values like borders, language, and culture, but takes the reader on an unprecedented journey through mass hysteria's long history in the United States. From Christopher Columbus to the Salem Witch trials to the so-called "Red Scares" of the 1930s and 40s and much more, Dr. Savage recounts the many times collective insanity has gripped the American public - often prompted by sinister politicians with ulterior motives.
Dr. Savage provides vital context for the common elements of dozens of outbreaks of mass hysteria in the past, their causes, their short and long-term effects, and the tactics of the puppet masters who duped gullible masses into fearing threats both real and imagined. By shining a light on the true nature and causes of American mass hysteria in the past, Savage provides an insightful look into who and what is causing dangerous unrest in our lives - and why.
Since Donald Trump's historic ascendance to the presidency, American politics have reached a boiling point. Social and economic issues, even national security, have become loud, violent flashpoints for political rivals in the government, in the media and on the streets. This collective derangement has a mass hysteria.
In his new book, Stop Mass Hysteria , #1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Savage not only deconstructs the Left's unhinged response to traditional American values like borders, language, and culture, but takes the reader on an unprecedented journey through mass hysteria's long history in the United States. From Christopher Columbus to the Salem Witch trials to the so-called "Red Scares" of the 1930s and 40s and much more, Dr. Savage recounts the many times collective insanity has gripped the American public - often prompted by sinister politicians with ulterior motives.
Dr. Savage provides vital context for the common elements of dozens of outbreaks of mass hysteria in the past, their causes, their short and long-term effects, and the tactics of the puppet masters who duped gullible masses into fearing threats both real and imagined. By shining a light on the true nature and causes of American mass hysteria in the past, Savage provides an insightful look into who and what is causing dangerous unrest in our lives - and why.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published October 9, 2018
113 people are currently reading
969 people want to read
About the author
Michael Savage
64 books228 followersDr. Michael Savage is a multimedia icon in the conservative movement. The Telegraph in the U.K. ranked him as one of the most influential conservatives in the United States, and with 10 million weekly listeners, the Berkeley Ph.D. is the third most listened to conservative talk show host. Recently featured in The New Yorker and Playboy, Dr. Savage is the author of many books, including the political thriller Abuse of Power and four New York Times bestsellers. His media presence and profile earned him the coveted Freedom of Speech Award from Talkers magazine in 2007.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Dr. Savage holds a master's degree in medical botany and a second in medical anthropology. Additionally, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in epidemiology and nutrition sciences. He is an ardent conservationist, is dedicated to his family, and is a proud patriot of his country.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/michae...
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Dr. Savage holds a master's degree in medical botany and a second in medical anthropology. Additionally, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in epidemiology and nutrition sciences. He is an ardent conservationist, is dedicated to his family, and is a proud patriot of his country.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/michae...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 26, 2018
I normally love Dr Savage's books and have read all of them but this one is just lazy writing. Not only does he come off hypocritical, but he doesn't even follow the thread of his own argument!
Dr S goes into the history of mass hysteria and provides examples of mindless groups acting on little evidence without thinking. Throughout the book, he often comes off hysterical himself resorting to name calling and generally trying rile the reader. I got the sense he might have been directing certain parts of the book to people not familiar with him or his show because he gives a rundown of his show and his history which regular listeners would already be familiar with. It seemed like he thought he might attract an apolitical or even liberal audience which he thought he might be able to reach. That idea was blown to hell when he went into a diatribe about liberalism being a mental disorder. I laughed to myself at his lack of self-control and thought about all the liberals putting the book down at that moment.
I share his politics for the most part, but his ego has gotten so out of control that he doesn't even bother to cite his book properly. He's got a few pages of citations at the end that are nothing more than lists of web addresses. He doesn't even properly cite the books he's referenced. Instead he cut and pasted the Google books link without even bothering to include the book title. That's just lazy writing and it speaks to his huge ego in thinking he can throw out facts and we will trust they're accurate because Dr Savage said so.
I was so looking forward to this book but am really disappointed with it. It's filled with his usual name calling and insulting of libs which normally doesn't bother me because some of it seems to be true. Somehow when he's doing the same old anti-lib shtick in a book about mass hysteria, it rings hollow. He's kind of the king of stirring people into a frenzy. Not to mention that he ignores facts that don't support his argument. At one point, he tries to make a case for pot being more dangerous and destructive than alcohol, claiming pot gives you a tolerance while alcohol doesn't. Uh huh. Then he goes into the long term effects of pot on the brain, making no mention of cirrhosis, liver disease, heart failure, and high blood pressure caused by alcohol. Nothing is cited in this section either. Pot more dangerous than alcohol? Or is because so many milennials smoke it and since they seem to be primarily drawn to liberal causes, we automatically have to hate it? Mothers Against Drunk Driving would probably prefer pot to alcohol. So would all the "normal" people who got DUIs or killed someone after getting too tipsy at the office Christmas party. For Dr S to admit the dangers of alcohol would force him to defend his own liberal (haha) use of wine with dinner. I don't drink or smoke, but even I can see how silly this argument is.
Even the section on early colonial history has Dr S calling Abigail Adams' views on women's rights "rhetoric." She merely mentioned women in a private letter to her husband and this is rhetoric? Funnily enough, Dr S was told by President Trump that the key to the country is through millennials and women. Somehow he managed to alienate both those groups in the space of a few chapters. This bothers me mostly because if he would temper his own rhetoric, stop the namecalling, and unwillingness to recognize facts that don't support his own argument, he COULD reach people. He COULD turn some people to the conservative side. Instead, he comes off like a kook at times which will most assuredly drive undecided voters away or to the other side. It worries me that the most educated spokesman we could have had has either given up or doesn't seem to care.
I just wish Dr. S. would be more balanced the way he used to be. Unfortunately, his hour long meeting with the president a few months ago has made him nothing more than a cheerleader these days, even for things that don't make sense. That's why I've turned him off for the time being and that's why I didn't enjoy this book.
Dr S goes into the history of mass hysteria and provides examples of mindless groups acting on little evidence without thinking. Throughout the book, he often comes off hysterical himself resorting to name calling and generally trying rile the reader. I got the sense he might have been directing certain parts of the book to people not familiar with him or his show because he gives a rundown of his show and his history which regular listeners would already be familiar with. It seemed like he thought he might attract an apolitical or even liberal audience which he thought he might be able to reach. That idea was blown to hell when he went into a diatribe about liberalism being a mental disorder. I laughed to myself at his lack of self-control and thought about all the liberals putting the book down at that moment.
I share his politics for the most part, but his ego has gotten so out of control that he doesn't even bother to cite his book properly. He's got a few pages of citations at the end that are nothing more than lists of web addresses. He doesn't even properly cite the books he's referenced. Instead he cut and pasted the Google books link without even bothering to include the book title. That's just lazy writing and it speaks to his huge ego in thinking he can throw out facts and we will trust they're accurate because Dr Savage said so.
I was so looking forward to this book but am really disappointed with it. It's filled with his usual name calling and insulting of libs which normally doesn't bother me because some of it seems to be true. Somehow when he's doing the same old anti-lib shtick in a book about mass hysteria, it rings hollow. He's kind of the king of stirring people into a frenzy. Not to mention that he ignores facts that don't support his argument. At one point, he tries to make a case for pot being more dangerous and destructive than alcohol, claiming pot gives you a tolerance while alcohol doesn't. Uh huh. Then he goes into the long term effects of pot on the brain, making no mention of cirrhosis, liver disease, heart failure, and high blood pressure caused by alcohol. Nothing is cited in this section either. Pot more dangerous than alcohol? Or is because so many milennials smoke it and since they seem to be primarily drawn to liberal causes, we automatically have to hate it? Mothers Against Drunk Driving would probably prefer pot to alcohol. So would all the "normal" people who got DUIs or killed someone after getting too tipsy at the office Christmas party. For Dr S to admit the dangers of alcohol would force him to defend his own liberal (haha) use of wine with dinner. I don't drink or smoke, but even I can see how silly this argument is.
Even the section on early colonial history has Dr S calling Abigail Adams' views on women's rights "rhetoric." She merely mentioned women in a private letter to her husband and this is rhetoric? Funnily enough, Dr S was told by President Trump that the key to the country is through millennials and women. Somehow he managed to alienate both those groups in the space of a few chapters. This bothers me mostly because if he would temper his own rhetoric, stop the namecalling, and unwillingness to recognize facts that don't support his own argument, he COULD reach people. He COULD turn some people to the conservative side. Instead, he comes off like a kook at times which will most assuredly drive undecided voters away or to the other side. It worries me that the most educated spokesman we could have had has either given up or doesn't seem to care.
I just wish Dr. S. would be more balanced the way he used to be. Unfortunately, his hour long meeting with the president a few months ago has made him nothing more than a cheerleader these days, even for things that don't make sense. That's why I've turned him off for the time being and that's why I didn't enjoy this book.
November 22, 2018
Hyper-liberal refuse. Honestly, can liberals talk about anything without dragging Trump into it? He's not my favourite guy, but stop it. I'm abandoning this heap at 40%.
December 16, 2022
There were a lot of things I did not like about this book; there were a lot of things I did. Savage doesn't sugar coat many of the pressing issues we're facing right now, but his viewpoint is conservative, whilst I lean more centrist (and sometimes Libertarian). I didn't agree with his stances on immigration, but his views on climate change were in line with mine.
Though I initially felt when I began reading that I was getting yelled at - I stopped counting how often "hysteria" was used, along with other names for those he considered crazy - the rhetoric did tame down. I encourage you to read it through to the end.
Though I initially felt when I began reading that I was getting yelled at - I stopped counting how often "hysteria" was used, along with other names for those he considered crazy - the rhetoric did tame down. I encourage you to read it through to the end.
December 31, 2018
Awesome. A great look back at history. I love books where I learn things, and Michael Savage never disappoints.
*Side note- it’s December 31st and I have until midnight to finish 3 books to reach my Reading Challenge of 66 books. This is one down- two to go
*Side note- it’s December 31st and I have until midnight to finish 3 books to reach my Reading Challenge of 66 books. This is one down- two to go
did-not-finish
February 20, 2024Most vile MAGA trash ever written.
April 19, 2019
From political commentator and radio talk show host Michael Savage comes Stop Mass Hysteria: America’s Insanity from the Salem Witch Trials to the Trump Witch Hunt, a thoughtful and provocative analysis of America’s history with hysteria. Starting with the witch trials of Colonial America, Savage discusses various hysterias that have popped up throughout the years (against Blacks, Catholics, Alcohol, Communists, Rock ‘n' Roll, Wall Street, etc.) as irrational fears and hatreds were stirred up. At times it has been beneficial, such as during the Revolutionary War, at times it was well-intentioned, such as Prohibition, but it’s always been destructive. Meticulously researched, Savage’s writing is incredibly informative and engaging. And he makes the issues especially relevant by making comparisons to modern “social justice” groups like AntiFA and Black Lives Matter, whose actions cross the line into hysteria. Still, he can overload the reader at times with too much information; going into minor flash hysterias over EC comics and Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. Also, he uses some political shorthand that may be unfamiliar to some. Stop Mass Hysteria: America’s Insanity from the Salem Witch Trials to the Trump Witch Hunt is a remarkably poignant book warning us not to fall into the destructive patterns of the past that have marred our country and kept it from achieving its full potential.
March 18, 2019
I'm very surprised to be giving this a (mostly) positive review, as I generally have no use for Michael Savage. I can't listen to him on the radio for more than 30 seconds without lunging for the dial, and what I read of his previous books came across as nothing more than poorly written rants. For the most part, I'm an unabashed fan of right-wing political talk shows, but Michael Savage is a bridge too far. He perfectly fits the Hollywood stereotype of angry Republican blowhards, and it's guys like him that make me want to identify as Libertarian.
That being said, STOP MASS HYSTERIA is a worthwhile read if you're someone who can separate the art from the artist. Yes, the book is abrasive in tone--and Savage remains incapable of referring to "the left" without calling them all a bunch of brain-dead, drugged-out hippies--but his exploration of mass hysteria throughout American history is undeniably interesting, even if he fails at connecting it to the Trump "witch hunt" in any particularly meaningful way. Certainly his writing has improved, as this feels like an honest-to-God book and not simply a collection of transcribed radio screeds. It's got footnotes and everything! Unfortunately, though Savage has toned down his rhetoric enough to be tolerable, STOP MASS HYSTERIA is still a highly partisan work intended for a highly partisan audience. It wasn't written to persuade; it was written to rally the troops. His explanation for why the Mueller investigation qualifies as a witch hunt is that the charges against Trump are based on emotion and fear-mongering rather than reason and logic. And how do we know that? Because it's a witch hunt, duh!
Savage is on much stronger footing when discussing historical examples of mass hysteria, including hysteria against the British during the time of the Revolutionary War, Puritan hysteria during the Salem Witch Trials, hysteria against alcohol during the Prohibition, hysteria against horror comics and communist propaganda, hysteria against Catholics, hysteria over climate change, and so on and so forth. Some of this material is fascinating, such as when Savage relates the story of a man who was executed by hysterical Puritans after being convicted of bestiality because his sow gave birth to a piglet that vaguely resembled him. The historical part of the book has the added bonus of feeling somewhat non-partisan, since some of the hysteria Savage covers originated with what we now consider "the right," though he states that much of the hysteria over things like communism and unrestricted immigration was rooted in valid concerns.
There is something rather hypocritical about hearing Savage talk derisively about hysterics, considering how ferociously he attacked every aspect of the Obama presidency. This seeming hypocrisy is most apparent in the part of the book where he discusses marijuana as though it were crystal meth. And though he does acknowledge its potential medicinal uses, his supposed explanation of how the government is fostering it onto people so they can control the populace and amass greater power sounds like a conspiracy theory worthy of Alex Jones.
In my opinion, Savage manages to avoid saying anything TOO outrageous, though I'm sure the PC crowd will take great umbrage at his criticisms of Islam and his statement that women, statistically speaking, are more prone to hysteria than men. I do think Savage has said some pretty terrible things over the years, but none of that rears its ugly head in this book. And my 3-star rating reflects my opinion of the book, not the man himself.
That being said, STOP MASS HYSTERIA is a worthwhile read if you're someone who can separate the art from the artist. Yes, the book is abrasive in tone--and Savage remains incapable of referring to "the left" without calling them all a bunch of brain-dead, drugged-out hippies--but his exploration of mass hysteria throughout American history is undeniably interesting, even if he fails at connecting it to the Trump "witch hunt" in any particularly meaningful way. Certainly his writing has improved, as this feels like an honest-to-God book and not simply a collection of transcribed radio screeds. It's got footnotes and everything! Unfortunately, though Savage has toned down his rhetoric enough to be tolerable, STOP MASS HYSTERIA is still a highly partisan work intended for a highly partisan audience. It wasn't written to persuade; it was written to rally the troops. His explanation for why the Mueller investigation qualifies as a witch hunt is that the charges against Trump are based on emotion and fear-mongering rather than reason and logic. And how do we know that? Because it's a witch hunt, duh!
Savage is on much stronger footing when discussing historical examples of mass hysteria, including hysteria against the British during the time of the Revolutionary War, Puritan hysteria during the Salem Witch Trials, hysteria against alcohol during the Prohibition, hysteria against horror comics and communist propaganda, hysteria against Catholics, hysteria over climate change, and so on and so forth. Some of this material is fascinating, such as when Savage relates the story of a man who was executed by hysterical Puritans after being convicted of bestiality because his sow gave birth to a piglet that vaguely resembled him. The historical part of the book has the added bonus of feeling somewhat non-partisan, since some of the hysteria Savage covers originated with what we now consider "the right," though he states that much of the hysteria over things like communism and unrestricted immigration was rooted in valid concerns.
There is something rather hypocritical about hearing Savage talk derisively about hysterics, considering how ferociously he attacked every aspect of the Obama presidency. This seeming hypocrisy is most apparent in the part of the book where he discusses marijuana as though it were crystal meth. And though he does acknowledge its potential medicinal uses, his supposed explanation of how the government is fostering it onto people so they can control the populace and amass greater power sounds like a conspiracy theory worthy of Alex Jones.
In my opinion, Savage manages to avoid saying anything TOO outrageous, though I'm sure the PC crowd will take great umbrage at his criticisms of Islam and his statement that women, statistically speaking, are more prone to hysteria than men. I do think Savage has said some pretty terrible things over the years, but none of that rears its ugly head in this book. And my 3-star rating reflects my opinion of the book, not the man himself.
March 19, 2024
This book goes back and forth between historical and current events (examples from The Salem Witch Trials to the media fixation with vilifying Trump), and shows how fear (real or imagined) can overtake seemingly rational people and create mass hysteria. The author had me at the first paragraph with "...mental pollution is worse than air pollution." So true. "As Thomas Jefferson wrote, 'I really look with commiseration over the great body of my fellow citizens who, reading newspapers, live and die in the belief that they have known something of what has been passing in the world in their time.' That's just as true today. Do television viewers really know what's been passing in the world in their time because they watch the news? I don't care what channel it is. Is what you see really representative of what is actually happening?" I think we all know the answer to this, and it is a RESOUNDING NO. "Part of the reason mass hysteria takes root more readily is that we no longer have a legitimate, responsible press to arrest it. Today the press skips from manufactured crisis to manufactured crisis, none of whose issues are valid or sustainable. Sadly, even facts and reason cannot instantly tamp out mass hysteria...mass hysteria hears only the echoes of its own mind....mass hysteria does not bother with facts or reason...the first victim of hysteria is fact. The modern era has seen several great hysterias fueled by nothing more than dubious science." However, "facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."
"FEAR has, again and again, provided the fuel for mass hysteria. The mainstream media have embraced one of the basic precepts of brainwashing, articulated by Goebbels himself, who said, 'A lie told once remains a lie, but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth." Take Covid for example- the media instilled and stoked fear in the general population, then told everyone to wear masks (despite the fact that the boxes that contained the masks ALL HAD LABELS that said wearing them DID NOTHING TO HELP WITH VIRUSES), then told everyone to go get the untested shot (which caused immediate death or serious injuries for some, and reports of heart disease, super cancers, miscarriages, and infertility rates going up daily, with much more fallout to come in the future I'm sure), all in the name of "science." So ironic because you couldn't question it (which makes it the opposite of science), and if you did, you were labeled a grandma killer, someone who doesn't care about others, dangerous to others, selfish, etc. etc. But as the author stated, "cognitive dissonance is the lubricant that greases the gears of mass hysteria." He points out that "under groupthink, personal opinions, essential points of view, even questions are no longer welcome. The result is a so-called 'in group' that feels it can do no wrong and should be immune to criticism. Moreover, it feels both justified and moral in attacking anyone outside the group." If you dare to take a moral stance against the hysteria, it can be dangerous.
I also found the section on the pharmaceutical industry to be enlightening. "It's no secret the pharmaceutical industry wants to destroy the vitamin supplement industry, nor is it a mystery why they wish to do so. Every person who avoids an illness due to better nutrition is a lost customer for drug sellers. They do not wish to keep people well, as they profit more from people being sick." This is why they tried to ban Ivermectin and HCQ during Covid and told everyone just to get their shot- PROVEN SAFE, EFFECTIVE and NATURAL remedies for the immune system - including sunshine and vitamin D were discouraged (everyone stay inside- stay safe!!) because healthy people are not cost effective for the pharmaceutical industry. EVERYTHING they do is for THEIR OWN interest, but by stoking the fears of the masses, they managed to get a lot of people to comply. "Again, mass hysteria requires only fear, NO FACTS." The author asks, "How seriously should we take this issue of pharmaceutical influence on our minds and our nation? VERY."
Overall, I found this book to be very well done and found myself nodding and agreeing with most of what was presented. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the author did not hold back on any of his opinions on any matters. And make no mistake- I fully agreed with his opinions, they were just a little blunt at times which would be a turn off for anyone who is actually, legitimately seeking information from the "other side."
"FEAR has, again and again, provided the fuel for mass hysteria. The mainstream media have embraced one of the basic precepts of brainwashing, articulated by Goebbels himself, who said, 'A lie told once remains a lie, but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth." Take Covid for example- the media instilled and stoked fear in the general population, then told everyone to wear masks (despite the fact that the boxes that contained the masks ALL HAD LABELS that said wearing them DID NOTHING TO HELP WITH VIRUSES), then told everyone to go get the untested shot (which caused immediate death or serious injuries for some, and reports of heart disease, super cancers, miscarriages, and infertility rates going up daily, with much more fallout to come in the future I'm sure), all in the name of "science." So ironic because you couldn't question it (which makes it the opposite of science), and if you did, you were labeled a grandma killer, someone who doesn't care about others, dangerous to others, selfish, etc. etc. But as the author stated, "cognitive dissonance is the lubricant that greases the gears of mass hysteria." He points out that "under groupthink, personal opinions, essential points of view, even questions are no longer welcome. The result is a so-called 'in group' that feels it can do no wrong and should be immune to criticism. Moreover, it feels both justified and moral in attacking anyone outside the group." If you dare to take a moral stance against the hysteria, it can be dangerous.
I also found the section on the pharmaceutical industry to be enlightening. "It's no secret the pharmaceutical industry wants to destroy the vitamin supplement industry, nor is it a mystery why they wish to do so. Every person who avoids an illness due to better nutrition is a lost customer for drug sellers. They do not wish to keep people well, as they profit more from people being sick." This is why they tried to ban Ivermectin and HCQ during Covid and told everyone just to get their shot- PROVEN SAFE, EFFECTIVE and NATURAL remedies for the immune system - including sunshine and vitamin D were discouraged (everyone stay inside- stay safe!!) because healthy people are not cost effective for the pharmaceutical industry. EVERYTHING they do is for THEIR OWN interest, but by stoking the fears of the masses, they managed to get a lot of people to comply. "Again, mass hysteria requires only fear, NO FACTS." The author asks, "How seriously should we take this issue of pharmaceutical influence on our minds and our nation? VERY."
Overall, I found this book to be very well done and found myself nodding and agreeing with most of what was presented. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the author did not hold back on any of his opinions on any matters. And make no mistake- I fully agreed with his opinions, they were just a little blunt at times which would be a turn off for anyone who is actually, legitimately seeking information from the "other side."
November 18, 2023
This book is filled with history and lessons from the past ( we should learn from and should have learned from already) Unfortunately it is also filled with the Author’s rants/ opinions on things that have nothing to do with the subject matter. This is on anything from weed, porn, birth control( his views are bonkers), gluten free, etc. I dont give a fig about what he thinks about these subjects. It really detracts from this book which is very eye opening. Many will just give up, get offended, even discount what he says because of them. All I can say is wade through it . Flip the pages that are unnecessary rants and understand why we are where we are.
This book taught me Hysteria is a tired playbook that the moves get played again and again. Humanity never learns from .
We all are emotional beings . We truly must all learn to pause, not rush to make hasty judgements, listen, not believe everything we see and hear, and do our own research . We are very much in the era of mass hysteria but our era is not the only one . This has been done before .We should not let outrage get the best of us . We need all the facts (this is hard to get on both sides though)
Emotion is sometimes used to control others- to create chaos for many different reasons-Only the goals and slogans have changed….
We should always be able to debate respectfully no matter what side we are on.
Mass hysteria is used in multiple ways and always has been. Events/ words are twisted/ outrage is used in negative ways.
“ We no longer have a legitimate , responsible press., most of the time instead of informing they sensationalize.” Pg. 37
The media no matter what side you are on sells fear . It loves to inflame . Why? Ask yourself this question
No truer statement I have ever read was on Pg. 71 “Politicians play to their base” (this means on both sides) This is why people get surprised when those who promise such glorious things never produce .
The best quote though explains Hysteria to a tee and why we should learn from all the events that have come before . “There is no rational reason for hysteria other than that people want to b a part of something current and important. Hysteria is important for the masses because it does not require thought.” Many people use others to give them a direction, a cause. We all need to think for ourselves!
This book was great when he focused on the many events throughout history where we have allowed hysteria to run rampant (in the guise of doing what people thought was right at the time) Always we need to keep in our mind the dangers of a mob mentality . I always have kept in my mind the Salem Witch trials and the innocent victims . Make no mistake a few children held the whole village in their grip. Never let that terrible time come again . Let us become better humans. To do this we must learn our mistakes from the past and strive to improve. I know many will not read this book because he is mildly supportive of Trump or his views on different things( Some of his views caused me to put the book down many x) You gotta wade through it . Why because he makes good points on Mass Hysteria and why we must stop it, b diligent . It teaches us things can get out of hand fast . At my book store I was told this book was supposed to b gotten rid of /why?
Just because the ideas offend some. To some History offends. To know history is to learn from it . This is what we are supposed to do. So the majority of this book is well written and got me thinking about the media I consume. Yes there are many subjects I did not agree with him on .. Those were his opinions and not why I picked up the book. I wished I could give him a 4 but the rants detract from the rest. I am not saying don’t read it because it slaps you in the head how long mass hysteria has been going on and the things we deal with are the same ones we have been dealing with since the creation of our country. I am just giving you a full picture of what you would/will read. Pros and cons if you will. I am still glad I read this and I wished everyone would read it . If everyone did maybe we would see the pain and devastation mass hysteria can cause. It would maybe help us pause at least.
This book taught me Hysteria is a tired playbook that the moves get played again and again. Humanity never learns from .
We all are emotional beings . We truly must all learn to pause, not rush to make hasty judgements, listen, not believe everything we see and hear, and do our own research . We are very much in the era of mass hysteria but our era is not the only one . This has been done before .We should not let outrage get the best of us . We need all the facts (this is hard to get on both sides though)
Emotion is sometimes used to control others- to create chaos for many different reasons-Only the goals and slogans have changed….
We should always be able to debate respectfully no matter what side we are on.
Mass hysteria is used in multiple ways and always has been. Events/ words are twisted/ outrage is used in negative ways.
“ We no longer have a legitimate , responsible press., most of the time instead of informing they sensationalize.” Pg. 37
The media no matter what side you are on sells fear . It loves to inflame . Why? Ask yourself this question
No truer statement I have ever read was on Pg. 71 “Politicians play to their base” (this means on both sides) This is why people get surprised when those who promise such glorious things never produce .
The best quote though explains Hysteria to a tee and why we should learn from all the events that have come before . “There is no rational reason for hysteria other than that people want to b a part of something current and important. Hysteria is important for the masses because it does not require thought.” Many people use others to give them a direction, a cause. We all need to think for ourselves!
This book was great when he focused on the many events throughout history where we have allowed hysteria to run rampant (in the guise of doing what people thought was right at the time) Always we need to keep in our mind the dangers of a mob mentality . I always have kept in my mind the Salem Witch trials and the innocent victims . Make no mistake a few children held the whole village in their grip. Never let that terrible time come again . Let us become better humans. To do this we must learn our mistakes from the past and strive to improve. I know many will not read this book because he is mildly supportive of Trump or his views on different things( Some of his views caused me to put the book down many x) You gotta wade through it . Why because he makes good points on Mass Hysteria and why we must stop it, b diligent . It teaches us things can get out of hand fast . At my book store I was told this book was supposed to b gotten rid of /why?
Just because the ideas offend some. To some History offends. To know history is to learn from it . This is what we are supposed to do. So the majority of this book is well written and got me thinking about the media I consume. Yes there are many subjects I did not agree with him on .. Those were his opinions and not why I picked up the book. I wished I could give him a 4 but the rants detract from the rest. I am not saying don’t read it because it slaps you in the head how long mass hysteria has been going on and the things we deal with are the same ones we have been dealing with since the creation of our country. I am just giving you a full picture of what you would/will read. Pros and cons if you will. I am still glad I read this and I wished everyone would read it . If everyone did maybe we would see the pain and devastation mass hysteria can cause. It would maybe help us pause at least.
December 31, 2021
Let me first say that this book goes back and forth between historical and contemporary events showing how Mass Hysteria takes seemingly rational folks and turns them into a mass herd mentality that makes decisions that always turn out to be wrong, and as a result hurt society more and can ruin individual's lives. There are three historical mass hysteria examples I would like to mention that within the pages of this book, Dr. Savage not only proves the above hypothesis by historical facts, but also educate us by digging deeper and teaching us about topics we unknowingly only have surface knowledge on:
1) 1692 - The Salem Witch Trials pg. 83
2) 1830 - The Early Mormons and Church of Latter Day Saints Pg. 143
3) 1933 - Max & William M. Gaines (Father & Son) pg. 223
By reading about the above historical examples, you learn that there is so much more to these stories, that we simply didn't learn in school. Point being, we only barely scratched the surface on these topics, when we were students. Also, I bet no one has ever heard of topic #3m Max and William Gaines. A simply astonishing story of what this father/son combo went through. I had never even heard of them before reading this book. That story alone was worth the price of admission!
1) 1692 - The Salem Witch Trials pg. 83
2) 1830 - The Early Mormons and Church of Latter Day Saints Pg. 143
3) 1933 - Max & William M. Gaines (Father & Son) pg. 223
By reading about the above historical examples, you learn that there is so much more to these stories, that we simply didn't learn in school. Point being, we only barely scratched the surface on these topics, when we were students. Also, I bet no one has ever heard of topic #3m Max and William Gaines. A simply astonishing story of what this father/son combo went through. I had never even heard of them before reading this book. That story alone was worth the price of admission!
February 19, 2024
Every year I make a point of reading a handful of books I know will challenge my own moderately left leaning beliefs. That is the sole reason I read this book, and unlike the majority of the books I read for this reason, I found next to nothing challenging or thought provoking in Dr. Savage's message. He hypocrically attacks the left for being susceptable to all forms of hysteria throughout history and, as a result, perprating all manner of crime, indignity, and (as he says frequently) stupidity while unironically using loaded language, personal attacks, and clearly biased information to whip his readers into a hysterical state. In addition, given his current stance on the upcoming election, the book's message that "right-thinking people" will not succumb to hysteria and will use reason to fight the good fight has not aged well at all.
As an aside, I make a point of leaving very few negative reviews. I want other people to make up their own mind, but in this case, reading this book is a waste of a perfectly good afternoon.
As an aside, I make a point of leaving very few negative reviews. I want other people to make up their own mind, but in this case, reading this book is a waste of a perfectly good afternoon.
November 5, 2018
Michael’s last book, God, Faith, and Reason, was ok. After reading this I’ve realized Michael should stick to politics, history and being SAVAGE ! This book was incredible. He put in order not only the history of hysterics and hysteria of our history on this continent from the beginning till now, but he put my own personal thoughts in order and actually helped me to see more clearly. This book is a high dose of red pill, I highly suggest you all take your intellectually nutritious medicine and read it.
“Reality does not fit these people’s pie - in- the - sky narrative. That is the fundamental flaw of liberalism: the inability to carry a thought beyond a mantra.”
-In one of his many exquisite plays on words, Benjamin Franklin said of Americans - just before he affixed his signature on the Declaration of Independence - “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”
“Reality does not fit these people’s pie - in- the - sky narrative. That is the fundamental flaw of liberalism: the inability to carry a thought beyond a mantra.”
-In one of his many exquisite plays on words, Benjamin Franklin said of Americans - just before he affixed his signature on the Declaration of Independence - “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”
January 28, 2022
Good book. Wanted more about the psychology behind mass movements instead of all the American history stuff. Although found the history interesting, it did get bogged down a bit towards the middle. Didn't agree with everything in the book but most of it is pretty convincing. Writing was bit iffy in places.
Never heard of the author/radio celeb before but he's right about The Left and their trademark hysteria throughout history and it being a predominantly leftist thing, a kind of side effect of being too over-privileged in wealth and too liberal, and extremely dangerous (as we have witnessed over the last five years with the rise of hate groups like BLM) if not held in check.
Leftists will probably scream hysterically at this book and call the author all kinds of names, but I suppose that's just the point he makes throughout the book.
He's right too about the current rise of anti-white sentiment created by a hysterical Left looking for a new enemy, a new bogeyman to blame everything on. If the left are not hunting witches, or slaves, or communists (which the left actually seem to have morphed into), or the phantom far-right, or any other "other" anymore then why not working class whites... lol? In a way it makes sense that the Left is doing this because they've almost run out of targets :)
Bit heavy on some of the history, a bit disorganised, but highly readable and thought provoking. Like me, you may not agree with everything he writes, but that's probably the best reason to read it.
Unfortunately I don't think people are sensible enough to listen to his message and stop allowing themselves to be led into hysteria by the media, social media and hate groups.
**wonder why author never mentions Thunberg in relation to Climate Hysteria, particularly when he uses examples of children as instigators and manipulated by those fanning the flames of hysteria. Perhaps this book was a bit before she came on the scene.
Never heard of the author/radio celeb before but he's right about The Left and their trademark hysteria throughout history and it being a predominantly leftist thing, a kind of side effect of being too over-privileged in wealth and too liberal, and extremely dangerous (as we have witnessed over the last five years with the rise of hate groups like BLM) if not held in check.
Leftists will probably scream hysterically at this book and call the author all kinds of names, but I suppose that's just the point he makes throughout the book.
He's right too about the current rise of anti-white sentiment created by a hysterical Left looking for a new enemy, a new bogeyman to blame everything on. If the left are not hunting witches, or slaves, or communists (which the left actually seem to have morphed into), or the phantom far-right, or any other "other" anymore then why not working class whites... lol? In a way it makes sense that the Left is doing this because they've almost run out of targets :)
Bit heavy on some of the history, a bit disorganised, but highly readable and thought provoking. Like me, you may not agree with everything he writes, but that's probably the best reason to read it.
Unfortunately I don't think people are sensible enough to listen to his message and stop allowing themselves to be led into hysteria by the media, social media and hate groups.
**wonder why author never mentions Thunberg in relation to Climate Hysteria, particularly when he uses examples of children as instigators and manipulated by those fanning the flames of hysteria. Perhaps this book was a bit before she came on the scene.
July 21, 2020
FROM THE #1 STREAMING RADIO SHOW HOST COMES A VERY RELEVANT AND TIMELY TOPIC MATTER THAT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO HIS HEART YOU WOULD ASSUME. SINCE I AGREE TOTALLY WITH THE PREMISE OF THE BOOK I WANTED TO GIVE IT A HIGHER RATING. BUT, IT WAS DISJOINTED IN MANY PARTS OF THE BOOK AND HE JUMPS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN HISTORY AND THE LAST DECADE INCLUDING THE INCOMPETENT YEARS OF OBAMA AMONG OTHERS. IT IS A GREAT HISTORY LESSON TO LOOK AT THE PAST AND ALL THE MISTAKES AND TRAGEDIES THAT WHERE SPURNED ON BY MASS HYSTERIA. NOT SURE HOW WE CAN STOP IT BUT WE KNOW THAT IF THE MEDIA KEEPS BEATING THE SAME DRUM PEOPLE WILL EVENTUALLY TAKE IT AS FACT WHICH IS A VERY SCARY FACT IN THESE TURBELENT TIMES (CAN WE SAY RUSSIAN INTERVENTION AND NOW THE VIRUS BESIDES RACIAL TENSION).
May 28, 2019
A very conversational, opinionated book. I think it may be a challenge for those who don't like strong views of any spectrum placed before them, or for those who don't keep up moderately well with current world happenings. That being said, as a strongly-opinionated person, i quite enjoyed this book. Savage backed up his personal opinions with history, past happenings and their end results, and predictions of the future. However, a few of his arguments felt thin and weak and i was disappointed with him in those places. He also spent more time on some topics than others, which i felt deserved more pages. Overall, though, an interesting and actually entertaining read.
February 11, 2019
I would probably give this 3.5 stars. It was definitely worth reading about hysteria throughout the history of this country. What an eye-opener. A valuable lesson to keeping perspective. However, I feel it was too often a little too "hysterical" itself against liberals. Keeping to a reasoning discussion would have been more accessible to both sides of the current issues. Still, glad I read it. But as it stands, I think liberals would not be able to finish it, and that is a shame, because there is good thought-provoking information in it.
October 28, 2018
Such a great read! Relevant to our current way of life, Michael demonstrates through this book how easy it is for the public to get in to an uproar and frenzy and jump on the "accused" without listening and viewing evidence/questioning. We cannot be a society of Rule and Law if we believe all assumptions rather than view and hear the facts. This book should be read by every student, teacher, journalist, and politician.
November 14, 2018
Michael Savage has come a bit closer to common sense than most during these days of political insanity. He reminds us that mass hysteria must always be countered with reason. The parting sentence in this book is the words of Ben Franklin, spoken moments before affixing his name to the Declaration of Independence: "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all 'hang' separately".
May 25, 2019
I read the beginning part. The premise of the book is rejecting “hysteria,” which means, according to the author, fanning irrational passions to drown out reason and facts. The book also claims to be balanced: it blames both the left and the right for the hysteria. However, the book is actually very biased towards the right and does its part in fanning the hysteria by making many unsubstantiated and drastically exaggerated claims. So I stopped reading.
May 26, 2021
Maybe I had brain fog when I opened this book, but I couldn't jive with Savage's syntax. It didn't flow well. His heavy handed and unapologetic far right wing slant wasn't helpful either.
The gist is mass hysteria needs a devil/fear/enemy to thrive. Information in support of his thesis went splat, so I'm not sure what's going on here.
The history intrigued me, but that's about it.
The gist is mass hysteria needs a devil/fear/enemy to thrive. Information in support of his thesis went splat, so I'm not sure what's going on here.
The history intrigued me, but that's about it.
January 20, 2025
This book was excellent. This book has given me so much food for thought and has also given voice and words to the ways I have felt about things in this country, past, present, and future, for a long time now. I hope to read more from this man and I hope others will stop and listen to what he has to say as well.
October 25, 2018
For Nature readers only
A truly well written journey through our history and into our possible future. I will remember to follow the money and also remember that lie told enough times becomes fact..
A truly well written journey through our history and into our possible future. I will remember to follow the money and also remember that lie told enough times becomes fact..
February 7, 2019
For me, some of this book was interesting and some was not. The more interesting parts were where the author connected current events with historical events. So therefore - four stars. Worth picking up at the library.
September 25, 2018
Brilliant!
October 17, 2018
A must “American History” read!!
October 26, 2018
Dr. Savage does it again! This book is worth the read. My only complaint about this book is at times I felt like I was reading his radio show.
November 17, 2018
Very good book. I was considering taking Savage off my favorite authors list but he redeemed himself with this book
November 30, 2018
The book was based on what was a simple premise but written in a convoluted way. Would have benefited by more editing.
January 23, 2019
This was quite a history lesson. From the Salem Witch Trials to today. Savage shows an interesting outcome when people go past the facts.
February 15, 2020
Disappointing, could have been better. I feel like he fell into the same trap he wad talking about in some of the subjects. Was hoping for more.
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