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Malor Books

Battle for the Mind: A Physiology of Conversion and Brainwashing - How Evangelists, Psychiatrists, Politicians, and Medicine Men Can Change Your Beliefs and Behavior

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How can an evangelist convert a hardboiled sophisticate? Why does a POW sign a "confession" that he knows is false? How is a criminal pressured into admitting his guilt? Do the evangelist, the POW's captor, and the policeman use similar methods to gain their ends? These and other compelling questions are discussed in this definitive work by William Sargant. Sargant explains and illustrates the basic techniques used by evangelists, psychiatrists, and brain-washers to dissolve existing, established patterns of belief, and then substitute new beliefs and behaviors. Read more


Publisher ‏ : ‎ Malor Books (July 3, 2015)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 350 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1883536065


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 60


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.08 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.79 x 9 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #36,170 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #275 in Cognitive Psychology (Books) #1,696 in Motivational Self-Help (Books) #2,000 in Psychology & Counseling


#275 in Cognitive Psychology (Books):


#1,696 in Motivational Self-Help (Books):


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Analysis of Physiological Trauma & the Psychological Effects
Review Image by Joshua Jordan Joshua Jordan
The Battle for the Mind by William Sargant should, first and foremost, be understood for what it is and what it is not simply because the subtitle contains a contemporary term of pop-psychology — "Brain Washing" — and the book is presented as published in 2015 without context. The copy I have, I purchased in 2007. This Edition was first published by ISHK in 1997. BUT! This is NOT the First Edition of Sargant's work; the First Edition ever printed of Sargant's work dates back to 1957. So, do understand, this is a writing in Psychology from quite some time ago, and in that time, Psychology has experienced dramatic shifts to where this book might not read nearly the same as a work in Psychology written today. The Preface to this book, penned in 1996 by Charles Swencionis, would be wise to read before diving right into Sargant's writing. In 1957, Psychology was a relatively young discipline, and much in the way of its parent discipline (Philosophy), Psychology readily engaged with a broad number of disciplines. I would not call it "Interdisciplinary," as that is a loaded and exclusive term of today. For instance, Sargant's hope in presenting, at times, brutal and horrifying, human trauma throughout the past is that in knowing of why and how these events of the past caused such misery, that they could then be entirely avoided in the future. In that sense, Sargant wrote for other Psychologists, but, it's clear, he's writing to a number of Professions as well. One of which, that has since been wholesale rejected by Psychology, was Religion. Sargant didn't comment specifically in a religious manner—it's not a religious text—but he engaged Religion as a functional, legitimate element of Society worth engaging in dialogue. So, he does have many historical examples where Religion failed in its purpose. In that sense, Sargant is speaking to the Pastor, to the Priest, to show them how to better engage with Society and avoid the trauma of the past. Again, this isn't a religious book, but that sort of commentary today in Psychology would not be acceptable. Likewise, Sargant was speaking to Medical Professionals, to Politicians, to other Psychologists, and to non-Professionals as well, showing what sorts of trauma had very negative effects with the ultimate goal of 'once you know the cause, the how & the why, of the problem, you are enabled to help overcome, or better avoid the causes of, the problem.' In this regard, the text is not a contemporary work in Psychology, but it deals with analogous trauma today that is experienced by many who then suffer from PTSD and struggle to re-engage with their normal lives....which does include Religion, Politics, etc. And because of that, the book is still relevant; it's not pop-psychology, it's not a religious book, it's not a 'how-to' guide—it's a book based on early behavioral Psychology that seeks a more cohesive Society by looking at the trauma of the past and engaging in a dialogue those disciplines that guide Society so they can do better. Sargant's work reads much more like that of Philosophy—if you are comfortable reading Philosophic writing, then I highly recommend this text. If you don't so much enjoy reading Philosophy, but do enjoy Psychology....? Then I still recommend this text with the added caveat—tread lightly and give it time; it's not an easy read, but it is worth the insight. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2021 by Joshua Jordan Joshua Jordan
    • Too =Much= Too Late?
I just finished reading the copy I purchased in 2018 for the second time. I was already way into the topic via such as Gustave Le Bon, Hannah Arendt, Eric Hoffer, Margaret Singer, Joel Kramer & Diana Alstad, R. Jay Lifton, Joost Meerloo, Jean-Marie Abgrall, S. E. Asch, Arthur Deikman, Aldous Huxley, Hans Toch, Alexandra Stein and the rest of the usual suspects. And having had to pass numerous exams on the operation of the autonomic nervous system and the general adaption syndrome's fight, flight & freeze responses, Hans Selye, Joseph Wolpe, Herbert Benson, Bruce McEwen, Robert Sapolsky, Stephen Porges and Pat Ogden. But since the election of 2016 and the events of January 2021, this tome and its implications are soooooo monumental that I had to pick it up again three months ago. And in so doing come to the inevitable conclusion that just as it is the case that the ecological doomsday machine is -- to whatever extent and result -- clearly grinding away, so, it appears, is the sociopsychological. Working with scores of mostly -- but not entirely -- young people desperate for a parachute out of the burning plane of Marlene Winell's "Religious Trauma Syndrome" for four years now, I may be too close to the fire to see the escape routes through all the smoke. But what I =do= see concerns me for the so-called "Millennial Generation" that may well be the last to be able to recall what it was like before the culture caved in under the very high-tech influence of modern mass manipulation to benefit the ruthless imperatives of what songwriter Jeff Lynne called "the thieving dukes and abbots of the land" way back in '73. I'd definitely get this =extremely= prophetic book and read it carefully. But let us consider that the best we may be able to do is take the ball from center in our own end zone down by a touchdown facing a defense of 300-pound Pro Bowl All Stars with 20 or 30 seconds left on the clock . To quote another famed songwriter named Michael McDonald, "I ain't blind, and I don't like what I think I see." ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2022 by Not Moses
    • This is a PDF file, not a Kindle book.
This is not a Kindle book. It’s a PDF document: None of the Kindle options are available for increasing text size, color, etc. Every page requires you to zoom in to read it.
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2020 by Tony Rush
    • An excellent book about brainwashing
Anyone who has ever had a "religious transformation", found themselves under a lot of stress, or acting out of character should read this book. I consider this work about the four basic temperaments first outlined by Hippocrates and later studied by Pavlov in his dogs to be senior in scope to Freud, Jung and the last century of psychobabble. It is a very good foundation for beginning the study of brainwashing. It has made me more watchful as to what and whom I will allow into my personal space. It is worth the price to learn how to deal with police and other officials. I bought extra copies for my kids. Here is a good quote from the book, page 264: "The obstacles that the religious or political proselytizer cannot overcome are indifference of detached, controlled and continued amusement on the part of the subject at the efforts being made to break him down, or win him over, or tempt him into argument. The safety of the free world seems therefore to lie in a cultivation not only of courage, moral virture and logic, but of humour: humour which produces the well-balanced state in which emotional excess is laughed at as ugly and wasteful." ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2008 by A Customer
    • Hard To Read
I am a retired Psychologist and usually enjoy reading non-fiction. I found this book very hard to read and am struggling to get beyond the beginning chapters. I am interested in Brainwashing and have studied Pavlov. I stopped going to movies and watching TV 30-years ago because I felt I was highly suggestible. We need to protect ourselves at every turn. I know I was brainwashed by my religious and family upbringing. We all are. I wish the book was written in a better style for conveying the message. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2017 by Elisheva Feldman

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