Blind Trust Large Groups and Their Leaders in Times of Crisis and Terror

Studying the often mercurial and destructive relationship between leaders and their followers, the author applies his knowledge of depth psychology to the cauldrons of greatest unrest throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East--and illuminates the psychological bases of war, revolution, massacres and terror, offering insight into the minds of Osama bin Laden, David Koresh and other destructive leaders.

Vamik Volkan, MD, an emeritus professor of psychiatry and founder of the Center for the Study of Mind and Human Interaction at the University of Virginia, has been a member of the Carter Center’s International Negotiation Network and an Inaugural Rabin Fellow at the Yitzhak Rabin Center for Israel Studies in Tel Aviv. He is the author of numerous books, including Blood Lines and The Need to Have Enemies and Allies. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.