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They knew : how a culture of conspiracy keeps America complacent / Sarah Kendzior.

By: Material type: TextTextPublisher: New York : Flatiron Books, 2022Copyright date: ©2022Edition: First editionDescription: 237 pages ; 25 cmContent type:
  • text
Media type:
  • unmediated
Carrier type:
  • volume
ISBN:
  • 9781250210722
  • 1250210720
Subject(s):
Contents:
Deaths of Deception -- Theories of Conspiracy -- Epstein Wasn't the First -- The Cult of the Criminal Elite -- Savior Syndrome and Normalcy Bias -- Memory-Holing a Coup -- America Is Purple, Like a Bruise -- The Octopus -- Epilogue: An American Ghost.
Summary: "The truth may hurt-but the lies will kill us. In They Knew, New York Times best-selling author Sarah Kendzior explores the United States' "culture of conspiracy," putting forth a timely and unflinching argument: uncritical faith in broken institutions is as dangerous as false narratives peddled by propagandists. Conspiracy theories are on the rise because officials refuse to enforce accountability for real conspiracies. They Knew discusses conspiracy culture in a rapidly declining United States struggling with corruption, climate change, and other crises. As the actions of the powerful remain shrouded in mystery - like the Jeffrey Epstein operation - it is unsurprising that people turn to conspiracy theories to fill the informational void. They Knew exposes the tactics these powerful actors use to placate an inquisitive public. In Kendzior's signature whip smart prose and eviscerating arguments, They Knew unearths decades of buried American history, providing an essential and critical look at how to rebuild our democracy by confronting the political lies and crimes that have shaped us"-- Provided by publisher.
Holdings
Item type Home library Collection Call number Materials specified Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Adult Book Adult Book Main Library NonFiction 303.6097 K33 Available 33111010891865
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

FINALIST FOR THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE

"Every sentence delivered. The pathos of truth-seeking left me thinking of Herman Melville."
--Timothy Snyder, #1 New York Times bestselling author of On Tyranny

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING author Sarah Kendzior delves into the difference between conspiracy and conspiracy theory, "deftly separat[ing] fact from fiction in a conspiracy-addled nation" (VANITY FAIR).

Conspiracy theories are on the rise because officials refuse to enforce accountability for real conspiracies. Uncritical faith in broken institutions is as dangerous as false narratives peddled by propagandists.

The truth may hurt--but the lies will kill us.

They Knew discusses conspiracy culture in a rapidly declining United States struggling with corruption, climate change, and other crises. As the actions of the powerful remain shrouded in mystery--"From Norman Baker to Jeffrey Epstein, Iran-Contra to January 6" ( VF )--it is unsurprising that people turn to conspiracy theories to fill the informational void. They Knew exposes the tactics these powerful actors use to placate an inquisitive public.

Here, for the first time, Kendzior blends her signature whip-smart prose and eviscerating arguments with lyrical and intimate examinations of the times and places that haunt American history. "America is a ghost story," writes Kendzior, as she unearths decades of buried history, providing an essential and critical look at how to rebuild our democracy by confronting the political lies and crimes that have shaped us.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 211-230) and index.

Deaths of Deception -- Theories of Conspiracy -- Epstein Wasn't the First -- The Cult of the Criminal Elite -- Savior Syndrome and Normalcy Bias -- Memory-Holing a Coup -- America Is Purple, Like a Bruise -- The Octopus -- Epilogue: An American Ghost.

"The truth may hurt-but the lies will kill us. In They Knew, New York Times best-selling author Sarah Kendzior explores the United States' "culture of conspiracy," putting forth a timely and unflinching argument: uncritical faith in broken institutions is as dangerous as false narratives peddled by propagandists. Conspiracy theories are on the rise because officials refuse to enforce accountability for real conspiracies. They Knew discusses conspiracy culture in a rapidly declining United States struggling with corruption, climate change, and other crises. As the actions of the powerful remain shrouded in mystery - like the Jeffrey Epstein operation - it is unsurprising that people turn to conspiracy theories to fill the informational void. They Knew exposes the tactics these powerful actors use to placate an inquisitive public. In Kendzior's signature whip smart prose and eviscerating arguments, They Knew unearths decades of buried American history, providing an essential and critical look at how to rebuild our democracy by confronting the political lies and crimes that have shaped us"-- Provided by publisher.

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