I have not finished the MacKay book as yet.
I'm into the inquisition, the burning of the witches. Rather graphic. This version I believe my wife procured for me in England, I don't think it is available here. It may be, but I'm not certain. This one has a foreword by Bernard Baruch written in 1932.
Along with the bubbles he moves further into the delusions with sections on Alchymists, Prophecies, Fortune Telling, Magnetism (thought those magnetic wristbands and belts were new, eh?), even the influence of Politics and Religion on hairstyles and beards.
Then the madness of crowds kicks in with the Crusades and Witch Mania. The other sections I have not read as yet, they include Poisoners, Haunted Houses, Follies, Thieves, Duels and Relics.
The amount of stuff in the book makes the prospect of watching the entire proposed Star Wars series in one sitting palatable by comparison. Not that I do not enjoy Star Wars, but if I recall correctly Lucas had about 12 movies in mind.
I don't think there is enough stimulant on the planet to induce me to sit through a dozen Star Wars movies.
It's taken me a couple of months to read this. Every time I pick it up I cannot put it down until I finish the section, like this Witch Mania section now. But after I finish a section it is disheartening to see that there is still a hell of a lot left to read. |
