What makes individuals like Ferrandini so persuasive? History is filled with similar individuals. Are there modern examples you can name? How do we guard against undue influence?

Pinkerton meets Ferrandini, later writing, "Even I myself felt the influence of the man's strange power…I felt strangely unable to keep my mind balanced against him." What makes some individuals so persuasive? History is filled with similar individuals. Are there modern examples you can name? How do we guard against undue influence?

It is frightening to think of how many people have been hoodwinked by these charismatic individuals. People like David Koresh, Jim Jones, Donald Trump all have some sort of hold on people. It's difficult to know what we can do to guard against this. Education, reading, knowledge are our best attempt to kill the spells.

Some individuals have powers of persuasion and use that for good, some use their powers for evil. Such charisma is often so strong that even the Pinkerton Detectives could see how Ferrandini appealed to his followers. In our time of unlimited media coverage of charismatic politicians and influencers it it important to fact check and be aware of unspoken agendas.

Just read Pinkerton's description on page 233 and I am sure we can think of many of today's politicians both locally and nationally. I am afraid for our country that is starting to believe everything when they only listen to one side and never think that there are our opinions that should be at least heard.

Agree with mariont. I was struck by Pinkerton's description of Ferrandini as well. Charismatic personalities and their power to persuade can have frightening and illogical effects on the people captured by them.Consider, for instance, Senator Joe McCarthy or Jim Jones or Charles Manson -- a wide range of folks, but all with huge impacts because of their ability to effect change on the behavior of others.

Oh, and how could I forget Donald Trump? Look at The January 6 Capitol incursion.

Charisma can be used with good or bad intention. Charismatic people seem to be very understanding, caring, relatable - all good characteristics when they spring from a genuine concern for the "other" rather than themselves. There are people with charisma who are also scheming individuals; they assess what the audience needs to hear, and just say it. It appears sincere but can be totally lacking with a solid self-serving basis. They will connive, lie, accuse, deny, and more, just to hit the sweet spot that the listeners may need. The listeners choose to go forward with blind faith, forget about true research, hearing other opinions, and the like. Hence, the conspiracy theory explosion and the elevation of autocratic thinking in this country at this time. Isn't this how our country has become so divided today?

All I can add here is why history continues to repeat itself! Will we ever learn?

I don’t know why some people are easily persuaded or manipulated by charismatic people. Maybe they are searching for something to believe, blame or belong.

Hitler and a current political figure in the US immediately came to my mind. These individuals have an uncanny ability to tap into people's dissatisfactions and compel them to believe that only they, the influencer, can fix their lives for them. The dissatisfied and aggrieved essentially becomes members of a cult of the influencer.

Knowledge through education and human decency via the Golden Rule are the only ways to counteract this type of influence. Our country has fallen down in the education department. Because of the emphasis on STEM we have abandoned in depth teaching of American History, American Government, Civics, and Geography, as well as about other cultures. Through technology and social media we have isolated ourselves in our homes rather than getting out and getting to know people as individuals with feelings and desires. Until we get back to truly learning about each other and having empathy for each other, it will be hard to overcome the negative influencers.

Misery loves company. This charismatic people who want to usurp the Constitution play on the misery of the impoverished and uneducated. They speak to the veracity of the Bible and select Bible verses that illustrate their unheard voices and convince them that God would want them to behave in a certain way. Don't get me wrong some of my most educated friends believe the conspiracy theories that Fox News doles out in their evening news casts. If anyone in the high echelons of Cable News actually read this post, that is why I turn you off and listen to the BBC.

You all have great comments on this subject and yes how easily people are brainwashed into believing what a singular charismatic leader is preaching or a group. It is cult mentality. Look at those people who were part of the Proud Boys and were totally caught up in Trump's rhetoric to go to the Capitol and commit treason. Now they are all getting lengthy jail sentences. Trump promised and somewhat delivered to the lower middle class and working class and they jump to support him still. It is easy to follow someone who appears to be working for a better life for you. I however feel that Trump is only looking out for himself. I find it so disturbing that after all the indictments, his followers still want to support him.