First published 2022
Sarah Kendzior explores how conspiracy theories flourish when real conspiracies go unpunished. She argues that officials who refuse to enforce accountability create the conditions where false narratives spread. The book examines conspiracy culture in America as the nation faces corruption, climate change, and other mounting crises. When powerful actors shroud their actions in secrecy, people naturally turn to conspiracy theories to fill the gaps in information. Kendzior exposes the tactics these influential figures use to calm public curiosity. She combines sharp analysis with personal reflections on the historical moments that continue to shape American politics. The author uncovers buried history spanning decades, from figures like Norman Baker to Jeffrey Epstein, from Iran-Contra to January 6. She contends that blind trust in failing institutions poses as much danger as the false stories spread by propagandists. Kendzior presents this examination as a guide for rebuilding democracy by directly confronting the political deceptions and crimes that have molded the country.
Genres: american, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism, social-commentary
Setting: America
Period: Iran-Contra, January 6
256 pages · Hardcover · Flatiron Books