True Believer, The

Synopsis

“Its theme is political fanaticism, with which it deals severely and brilliantly.” — The New Yorker

The famous bestseller with “concise insight into what drives the mind of the fanatic and the dynamics of a mass movement” (Wall St. Journal) by the legendary San Francisco longshoreman.

A stevedore on the San Francisco docks in the 1940s, Eric Hoffer wrote philosophical treatises in his spare time while living in the railroad yards. The True Believer—the first and most famous of his books—was made into a bestseller when President Eisenhower cited it during one of the earliest television press conferences.

Called a “brilliant and original inquiry” and “a genuine contribution to our social thought” by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., this landmark in the field of social psychology is completely relevant and essential for understanding the world today as it delivers a visionary, highly provocative look into the mind of the fanatic and a penetrating study of how an individual becomes one.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Seduction

In Washington, D.C., newspaper reporter Eddie Dodd meets anti-communist fanatic Senator John Carmichael. Carmichael's speeches and crusade against communism captivate Dodd, who becomes convinced that the senator is a true American patriot.

Chapter 2: The Pledge

Dodd joins Carmichael's team as an assistant and begins writing speeches and press releases for the senator. He immerses himself in Carmichael's anti-communist rhetoric and starts seeing potential communists everywhere.

Chapter 3: The Trials

Carmichael's crusade reaches its peak when he accuses several innocent people of being communists. Dodd initially supports Carmichael but becomes troubled by the lack of evidence. He confronts Carmichael, but the senator dismisses his concerns.

Chapter 4: The Reckoning

Dodd's doubts grow stronger as he learns more about Carmichael's past. He discovers that the senator was once a member of a radical anti-Semitic group. Dodd confronts Carmichael, who tries to justify his actions and convince Dodd to remain loyal.

Chapter 5: The Betrayal

Dodd refuses to accept Carmichael's explanations and breaks away from the senator. He publishes an exposé on Carmichael's past, revealing the truth about his motivations. Carmichael is discredited and his career is ruined.

Chapter 6: The Lessons

In the aftermath, Dodd reflects on the experience and warns against the dangers of blind loyalty. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and the need to question those in power.

Real-Life Example:

The novel is based on the real-life story of journalist Whittaker Chambers, who initially supported Soviet communism but later became a vocal anti-communist. Chambers exposed the espionage activities of Alger Hiss, a high-ranking State Department official, leading to Hiss's conviction. Chambers became a controversial figure, but his testimony helped expose the extent of Soviet infiltration in the U.S. government.