The Wave (book)

"The Wave" by Todd Strasser is a novel based on a true incident, illustrating how a high school student movement spiraled out of control. It depicts a teacher's experiment to demonstrate the rise of authoritarianism, leading students to adopt strict discipline, uniformity, and conformity under the guise of unity. As the movement grows, it reveals how easily people can be influenced to abandon individual judgment in favor of collective obedience. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass conformity, authoritarianism, and the importance of critical thinking and personal responsibility.