The Sixty Greatest Conspiracies of All Time: History's Biggest Mysteries, Coverups, and Cabals [Paperback]

Jonathan Vankin (Author), John Whalen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Is this book funny in a "1001 Jokes for Toastmasters" kind of way? Certainly not. And if one-hundredth of its contents actually come to pass, I suggest you make plans to move to the moon. Of course, if your sense of humor tends towards the black--as the authors' do--you'll think it's an unmitigated laugh riot. After all, what could be funnier than J. Edgar Hoover in a dress? This book does an excellent job of giving you the background that the X-Files assumes you already have--who are the Pleiadians, and why are they mutilating my cattle? With grim good humor, this book is an excellent primer for a topic that actively resists rational discourse, much less cogency. The authors are funny, witty, and keep a bit of skeptical distance from the topic at hand without dismissing it.

Product Details

• Paperback: 502 pages
• Publisher: Citadel; Revised edition (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806518332
• ISBN-13: 978-0806518336
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,043,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I dare you to read this book and not become a raving paraoid, January 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sixty Greatest Conspiracies of All Time: History's Biggest Mysteries, Coverups, and Cabals (Paperback)

I don't remember why I started reading this book, but I have spent the past year ingesting it in dainty, sanity-promoting bites. Funny? Certainly, in a bent and cynical way. But mostly it's informative, maybe even a little depressing (hence the nibbling), which is a direct result of their fairly consistent objectivity. What I've liked most about this book is the insight the authors give on the players and their motivations. Yes, I know more about the conspiracies themselves, but more important, they've shown me what kinds of questions to be asking and how to pay attention to details. I'll never be the same again (grin)!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEST Conspiracy primer around....get it before it's banned!!, January 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sixty Greatest Conspiracies of All Time: History's Biggest Mysteries, Coverups, and Cabals (Paperback)

I used to dismiss conspiracy people, but this book made me a believer. Written in an engaging-but not too serious-style, this book avoids the usual raving, poorly organized syntax of most conspiracy books. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry, and most of all, it'll scare the hell out of you if you take the time to approach the material with an open mind. After reading this book, you'll never see anyone-or anything-in the same naive way again!!! Question everything!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book that forces you to think on your own, June 3, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sixty Greatest Conspiracies of All Time: History's Biggest Mysteries, Coverups, and Cabals (Paperback)

The society as it is today forces one to be sceptic.. and thisbrilliant (though flawed) book forces you to be even more sceptical,and that can only bee a good thing. If summed in one sentance, the core of this book is: Trust no one. Even though it seems to sound funny, it isn't. When you've read it through, it most definately isn't. One of the best (and in parts funniest) book I've ever read.