In the aftermath of riots and amid a constant wave of political rallies, questions naturally arise about the nature of crowds. What does it mean to be part of one? And what makes or breaks a peaceful protest? Though at times its pace feels like a whistle-stop tour, Multitudes is certainly a perfect name for an incredibly wide-ranging look into the reasons people come together and the way society responds. 

Journalist Dan Hancox provides a detailed understanding into how crowds have been characterised, beginning with the proto-fascist writings of Gustave Le Bon. The narrative dances back and forth throughout history, consistently drawn back to Le Bon’s analysis and how his narrow-minded ideas formed many misguided attempts at control. We are given connections between the Nuremberg rallies and the US Capitol attack, shown how freethinkers at Notting Hill Carnival can be faced with biased policing, and presented with both the devotion of fans at a football match alongside the contempt for them which led to tragedy. 

Although Hancox makes some big arguments along the way, his claims are backed by evidence and an impressive knowledge of historical outcomes. Beautifully describing the collective joy of shared experience, he suggests the perceived ‘mob mentality’ of a group may be less of an innate response and more of a reaction. Framing crowds as gatherings of individuals, he warns of the danger of basing the actions of one on all, instead calling for the support of citizens in creating an environment guided by collective wisdom. Comprehensive and timely, Multitudes leaves us with a feeling that the crowd should be celebrated as a place in which common experiences act as a guide for a happier future for all of us to enjoy; ideally with the carefree fervour of a euphoric 90s rave.

Dan Hancox: Multitudes: How Crowds Made The Modern World is published by Verso Books on Tuesday 22 October.