Description
How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered The World: A Short History of Modern Delusions by Francis Wheen is a sharp and witty critique of the decline of reason and the rise of irrationality in late 20th-century society. Wheen examines how, following pivotal events like Margaret Thatcher’s political revolution in Britain and Ayatollah Khomeini’s Islamic fundamentalism in Iran, modernity gave way to superstition, cults, conspiracy theories, and emotional hysteria. This intellectual polemic exposes the strange alliance between pre-modern theocrats and post-modern mystics that challenged the ideals of the Enlightenment.
Winner of the George Orwell Prize, Wheen skilfully interweaves commentary on public figures such as Princess Diana, Osama bin Laden, and Deepak Chopra, offering an insightful and entertaining exploration of a world increasingly dominated by “mumbo-jumbo.” This book is essential reading for those interested in cultural history, scepticism, and the social dynamics that shape modern belief systems.
Ideal for readers who enjoy sharp social critique with humour, How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered The World is a compelling call to arms for reason and critical thinking.
