Books like Rogue Messiahs by Colin Wilson

Throughout history, Western culture has been bedeviled by false prophets, charlatans, and self-appointed messianic figures. Their appetites for destruction and depravity have led to broken lives and worse—mass suicide and even mass murder. Why does this occur again and again? In Rogue Messiahs, Colin Wilson compellingly recounts the stories and outrageous claims, acts, and abuses of 25 self-proclaimed messiahs who have arisen in the last 300 years. He uncovers the probable factors that turn earnest religious leaders, mystics, or well-intentioned cult leaders into violent, abusive, murderous, and paranoid rogue messiahs. Wilson includes a study of others who achieved spiritual insight instead of destruction, demonstrating that mayhem and benevolence are often two sides of the same coin. This is an incisive review of the motives and madness of cult leaders, spiritual con men, and would-be saviors.

First publish date: 2000