Modern Conspiracies in America

Michael D. Gambone, professor of history at Kutztown University is the author of several books including, most recently, Long Journeys Home: American Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam(College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2017) and Small Wars: Low-Intensity Threats and the American Response Since Vietnam (Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press, 2012).

• Table of ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction:Enemies Among UsChapter #1 Building a Toolbox for the Logical MindChapter #2 The Protocols of the Elders of ZionChapter #3 The Russians are Coming!Chapter #4 The Kennedy AssassinationChapter #5 9/11Chapter #6 Sandy HookChapter #7 Contrails and ChemtrailsChapter #8 The 2016 ElectionChapter #9 The 2020 “Plandemic” Chapter #10 QAnon: Enemies Inside the GatesChapter #11 Stop the Steal! The 2020 Election Conclusions Finding a Way ForwardGlossary of TermsSelected BibliographyIndex

Gambone has written a timely primer on how conspiracy theories have entered mainstream US political discourse and how to confront them. In this valuable work, Gambone defines conspiracy theory as "a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful" (p. 72). In describing the staying power of these theories, he admits that providing facts, data, or rational arguments may not be sufficient to convince true believers, such as those who maintain that the 2020 election was rigged. Gambone concludes that conspiracy pundits are "masters at manipulating emotions, not just facts" (p. 174). So what is the solution? Having spent years teaching college students, the author suggests that when confronted with conspiracy theorists, one must use "listening, patience, persistence, and unclenched fists" (p. 175). Recommended. General readers through faculty; professionals.