Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, Volume 1 by Charles Mackay (1814 - 1889)

The book chronicles and vilifies its targets in three parts: "National Delusions", "Peculiar Follies", and "Philosophical Delusions". The subjects of Mackay's debunking include alchemy, beards (influence of politics and religion on), witch-hunts, crusades and duels. Present day writers on economics, such as Andrew Tobias, laud the three chapters on economic bubbles. (summary from Wikipedia) Link to Volume 2