Herd instinct in peacetime and war

The proposed edition introduces the reader to the book by Wilfred Batten Lewis Trotter (1872–1939), an English surgeon and pioneer of neurosurgery, published in 1916. It is based on the ideas of Gustave Le Bon and had a great influence on the development of group dynamics and crowd psychology.
The author introduces the concept of the “herd instinct” in relation to human behavior and explores the fundamental importance of herding among both animals and humans, and describes how instincts influence decision-making and social interaction.

The book lays the foundation for an in-depth discussion of the importance of the herd instinct in shaping individual behavior and national morality. Trotter argues that individual actions are often guided by the forces of social cohesion and collective sentiments, which must be understood in order to navigate the complexities of governance, especially in times of war.

The book is intended for a wide range of readers.