City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

The United States of paranoia, a conspiracy theory, Jesse Walker

eng

illustrations

index present

non fiction

The United States of paranoia

Jesse Walker

a conspiracy theory

This book presents a comprehensive history of conspiracy theories in American culture and politics, from the colonial era to the War on Terror. The fear of intrigue and subversion doesn't exist only on the fringes of society, but has always been part of our national identity. When such tales takes hold, Walker argues, they reflect the anxieties and experiences of the people who believe them, even if they say nothing true about the objects of the theories themselves. With intensive research and a deadpan sense of humor, Jesse Walker's The United States of Paranoia combines the rigor of real history with the punch of pulp fiction. This book includes primary-source documentation in the form of archival photographs, cartoons, and film stills selected by the author

Part One. Primal Myths -- The Paranoid Style is American Politics -- The Devil in the Wilderness -- The Devil Next Door -- The Beast Below -- Puppetmasters -- Conspiracies of Angels -- Part Two. Modern Fear -- The Water's Gate -- The Legend of John Todd -- Operation Mindfuck -- The Ghost of Rambo -- The Demonic Cafeteria -- Everything is a Clue -- Epilogue: The Monster at the End of This Book

adult