#31588
Mentioned in 3 episodes

The pursuit of the millennium

Book • 1957
In 'The Pursuit of the Millennium', Norman Cohn examines the rise and fall of various millenarian cults and movements during the Middle Ages.

The book covers topics such as the Brethren of the Free Spirit, flagellants, the Anabaptists, and the Ranters, and discusses their roles in historical events like the Crusades and the takeover of Münster by John of Leiden.

Cohn also draws parallels between these medieval movements and later totalitarian ideologies, such as Nazism and Soviet communism, highlighting the recurring themes of millenarian expectation and social upheaval.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 3 episodes

Mentioned by Daniel Finn as a book discussing this period of history, focusing on millenarian thinking.
Long Reads: Anabaptism and the Radical Reformation w/ Martin Empson
Mentioned by Niall Ferguson when discussing the flagellant orders during the Black Death.
Niall Ferguson on COVID, Lockdowns and Authoritarianism
Mentioned by Simon Critchley as a source of inspiration for his work on mystical anarchism.
Simon Critchley: Mysticism & Humanity

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