How Crowd Psychology Made the Modern World, with Dan Hancox

In 'Multitudes', Dan Hancox delves into the history and psychology of crowds, challenging traditional negative views of crowd behavior. He explores various types of crowds, including those in revolutionary movements, sports events, carnivals, and protests, highlighting how crowds can free individuals from restrictive social norms and create new connections. Hancox argues that crowds are a vital force in modern history and a powerful way of connecting to shared humanity, despite often being demonized by those in power.

In this book, Gustave Le Bon examines the psychology of crowds, arguing that when individuals form a crowd, they undergo a profound psychological transformation. He explains that crowds are characterized by impulsiveness, irritability, and an incapacity to reason, and that individuals within a crowd relinquish their personal identities and become susceptible to suggestion and emotional contagion. Le Bon discusses how crowds can display either heroic or criminal tendencies based on prevailing ideas and emotions, and emphasizes the role of leaders in simplifying and communicating ideas to the crowd. The book is divided into sections that analyze the general characteristics of crowds, their sentiments and morality, their ideas and reasoning power, and the classification and description of different kinds of crowds.

The Village Against the World chronicles the remarkable story of Marinaleda, a small village in Andalusia, Spain. From its beginnings in the late 1970s as a farming community suffering from high unemployment and poverty, the villagers formed a political party and trade union to fight for land and freedom. Through various forms of protest and resistance, they eventually secured 1,200 hectares of land from the government. The book, written by Dan Hancox, explores the village's unique cooperative society, its history of struggle, and the ongoing efforts to maintain their utopian community in the face of broader societal challenges.

Inner City Pressure: The Story of Grime by Dan Hancox is a detailed exploration of the grime music scene, its emergence in London, and its significance as a reflection of the experiences and struggles of predominantly Black British youth. The book delves into the genre's raw and confrontational nature, its democratic and collective ethos, and the role of pirate radio stations. Hancox also examines how grime was marginalized and suppressed by authorities, highlighting issues of gentrification, social inequality, and the impact of urban redevelopment on local communities. The book spans from the genre's inception to its current state, including the emergence of more localized and angry genres like drill.

Mein Kampf, written by Adolf Hitler while he was imprisoned following the failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, is a two-volume work that combines autobiography and political treatise. The book details Hitler's early life, his experiences during World War I, and his increasing antisemitism and militarism. It outlines his vision for Germany, including the need for Lebensraum (living space) in Eastern Europe, and his racist and anti-Semitic views. The work became the central text of National Socialism and a blueprint for Hitler's policies, including aggressive foreign policy and the persecution of Jews and other minority groups.