There are many reports of strange cults which enthral their followers and cut themselves off from the world. Invariably led by gurus, or "spiritual leaders", the fruit of these cults are mass suicides in the South American jungle or the self-immolation of hundreds in besieged fortresses. This study provides an examination of these men and women and of those who follow them. It takes as example some of those considered to be modern gurus - James Jones, David Koresh, the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Gurdjieff and others - and establishes what each of them has in common. It then examines what they share with other gurus whose teachings are accepted or at least respected - Jung, Freud, Ignatius Loyola, Jesus himself - and finds some startling continuities.
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There are said to be at least six hundred New Religious Movements in Britain, and many more in other parts of the world. They range from benign, charitable organisations to corrupt, dangerous cults which may end in murder or mass suicide. Since cults have a special appeal to the young, anxious parents have prompted a good deal of research into who joins cults and why. Less has been written about the gurus who institute and lead such movements.
Gurus are extraordinary individuals who cast doubt upon current psychiatric distinctions between sanity and madness. A guru convinces others that he knows – a persuasive capacity which can bring illumination but which may also and in disaster.
Anthony Storr’s new book is a study of some of the best-known gurus, ranging from monsters such as Jim Jones or David Koresh, to saints such as Ignatius of Loyola. It includes both Freud and Jung because, as Storr demonstrates, what ostensibly began as a scientific investigation became, in each case, a secular path to salvation.
'Feet of Clay' is one of Anthony Storr’s most original and illuminating books. It demonstrates that most of us harbour irrational beliefs, and discusses how the human wish for certainty in an insecure world leads to confusing delusion with truth. No-one knows, in the sense that gurus claim that they know. Maturity requires us to be able to tolerate doubt. The book ends with reflections upon why human beings need gurus at all, and indicates how those in need of guidance can distinguish the false and dangerous from the genuine and good.
About the Author
The editor, Anthony Storr, is a doctor, psychiatrist and analyst (trained in the school of C.G.) and author of ‘Jung’ (a Fontana Modern Master,1973) amongst many others.
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THE INFAMOUS DICTATORS of the twentieth century, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Ceausescu, and Mao Tse-tung were all unscrupulous in the pursuit of power and ruthless in eliminating enemies. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
THE INFAMOUS DICTATORS of the twentieth century, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Ceausescu, and Mao Tse-tung were all unscrupulous in the pursuit of power and ruthless in eliminating enemies. Read the first page
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Storr provides an interesting review of common attitudes and characteristics of historical figures that have had uncommon personal influence over other people. What he misses, however, is how they attain their power. Storr focuses on their absolute certainty, and indicates that other people believe and follow them because their certainty fills some need. He completely misses the role and techniques of brainwashing that are commonly employed to achieve control over other people's thinking processes.... even over the educated and intelligent. Missing that, he focuses on differentiating between "good" and "bad" gurus, using their propensity to abuse their power as his measure. Those of us who don't believe that the end justifies the means will also wish to reject this accessment: the deliberate effort to confuse other people's thinking and induce compliance through deceit can never be acceptable. This book fills a need, but don't miss Margaret Singer and Janja Lalich's book, Cult's in our Midst, for an understanding of the mechanisms by which gurus acquire and wield power.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Nutshell
Format:Hardcover
A good overview of charismatic cult founders that is as good at identifying the similarities between them as the differences, and at distinguishing those who, like Rudolf Steiner and Jung, have generally made positive contributions to humanity, from the David Koresh-like deadly gurus.
What strikes me is how vastly intelligent people can hold so many downright dotty ideas so strongly for so long.
By KS
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you or anybody you know have been negatively affected by a modern cult such as The Church of Scientology, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, etc, etc then this book will help in understanding it. The book examines cult leaders benevolent and well intentioned or just plain bad. It is a study of the phenomenon of cult leaders and the need to beleve in someone who "knows".
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well-referenced & disturbing
Fascinating and at times a disturbing insight into the characteristics of the minds of those who others consider gurus. Read more
Published 19 months ago by M. J. Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insight into the minds of gurus
A wonderful book offering an insight into the minds of gurus. The selection of subjects (from Jesus to Koresh) is extraordinary. Extremely readable and well referenced.
Published on 8 April 2011 by T. Fraser
3.0 out of 5 stars
Who's got the feet of clay?
Some part of me always enjoys irreverent reviews. It's just that I come to think it's the churlish, lord of the flies child within that enjoys it. Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2006 by P. Wallace
2.0 out of 5 stars
interesting survey - pity about the naiivety
I read Feet of Clay on the recommendation of Jonathan Smith who raves about it in his lovely book The Learning Game - I was sadly disappointed. Read more
Published on 22 July 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clarity and compassion
Storr writes with a rare combination of clarity and compassion, both for the gurus and for their followers. Read more
Published on 27 Oct 2001 by B. C. Meijer
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