Charismatic leaders are believed by their followers to have superhuman powers. The faithful are willing to sacrifice everything, including themselves, for the sake of this leader. How can we understand this seemingly irrational phenomenon? Using a number of perspectives that take into account group dynamics, individual character, and the social milieu, this book argues that charismatic involvement is a deeply embedded potential for all human beings. The theory is tested through specific cases: Hitler's Germany; Manson's Family; Jonestown; and the experience of Shamanism in non-Western societies. The book concludes with a discussion of alternatives to charisma in modern society, focusing especially on romantic love, and considers the form future charismatic movements may take.