What makes for charisma? Religion historian tries to understand the mysterious force.
Leaders including Oprah Winfrey, clockwise from top left, Joseph Smith, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and President Donald Trump are highlighted in “Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump.” (AP and RNS file photos)
(RNS) — In her recent book, 'Spellbound,' Molly Worthen posits that charismatic people tell a compelling story about human identity and purpose that others gravitate to because it helps explain their own role in the grand scheme of life.
