Conspiracy Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia
Conspiracy Encyclopedia: The Encyclopedia of Conspiracy Theories is a non-fiction
reference
book about conspiracy theories
, with an introduction by Thom Burnett. It was published in 2005 by Chamberlain Bros.
, and in 2006 by Collins & Brown. Contributors to the work include Thom Burnett, Nigel Cawthorne
, Richard Emerson, Mick Farren
, Alex Games, John Gill
, Sandy Gort, Rod Green, Emma Hooley, Esther Selsdon, and Kenn Thomas
. The encyclopedia discusses 365 conspiracy theories, most of which are political.
The encyclopedia was positively reviewed in The Guardian
, where it was referred to as a "beautifully-produced tome". It received both a positive and a negative review from two different writers in The Times
. In 2008 the encyclopedia was listed as required reading in a course on conspiracy at Harvard University
.
Three hundred and sixty-five conspiracy theories are discussed in the work, and the majority of these are political in nature. Topics discussed include the moon landings conspiracy theories, the Bilderberg group
, the Illuminati
, the Warren Commission
and the Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories, the views of David Icke
, and chupacabra
s. The encyclopedia has a section on assassination
s, and those discussed include the deaths of Kenneth Bigley
in 2004, Danny Casolaro
in 1991, John F. Kennedy
in 1963, and Tutankhamun
in 1323BC.
, Andrew Mueller called it a "beautifully-produced tome", and commented that the work "succeeds, as was probably intentional, in offering some fascinating tours of the byways of history and providing a tantalising alternative universe in which much of what you know may not be what it seems." John Cooper reviewed the encyclopedia for The Times
, and described it as "an entertaining compilation of ideas ranging from who was the 'real William Shakespeare' to the BCCI case and al-Qaeda." Cooper noted "The most fascinating section relates to "Assassinations" ... an unusual fairytale book for Christmas." Martin Samuel also reviewed the encyclopedia for The Times
, and gave a more critical review, commenting "For all the encyclopedia's pretence at sifting the evidence in search of a verdict, if the truth is out there, the authors are damned if they can find it."
Conspiracy Encyclopedia was listed as required reading in a 2008 course on conspiracy at Harvard University
. Writing in Conspiracy Theories & Secret Societies For Dummies, authors Christopher Hodapp and Alice Von Kannon comment that Burnett asserts "the spirit of our times has had the crap kicked out of it by global domination". The encyclopedia is recommended for further reading by David Southwell and Sean Twist in their book Unsolved Political Mysteries.
Non-fiction
Non-fiction is the form of any narrative, account, or other communicative work whose assertions and descriptions are understood to be fact...
reference
Reference
Reference is derived from Middle English referren, from Middle French rèférer, from Latin referre, "to carry back", formed from the prefix re- and ferre, "to bear"...
book about conspiracy theories
Conspiracy theory
A conspiracy theory explains an event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or organization or, more broadly, the idea that important political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public.-Usage:The term "conspiracy...
, with an introduction by Thom Burnett. It was published in 2005 by Chamberlain Bros.
Penguin Books
Penguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large...
, and in 2006 by Collins & Brown. Contributors to the work include Thom Burnett, Nigel Cawthorne
Nigel Cawthorne
Nigel Cawthorne is an Anglo-American writer of fiction and non-fiction, and an editor.He has written more than 80 books on a wide range of subjects and has contributed to The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph Daily Mail and The New York Times...
, Richard Emerson, Mick Farren
Mick Farren
Michael Anthony 'Mick' Farren is an English journalist, author and singer associated with counterculture and the UK Underground.-Music:...
, Alex Games, John Gill
John Gill
John Gill may refer to:John Gill, reverend at Church of the Savior, a UCC church in Knoxville, TN* John Gill , English Baptist minister and Calvinist theologian...
, Sandy Gort, Rod Green, Emma Hooley, Esther Selsdon, and Kenn Thomas
Kenn Thomas
Kenn Thomas is a conspiracy theorist, writer, university library archivist, and editor & publisher of Steamshovel Press, a parapolitical conspiracy magazine...
. The encyclopedia discusses 365 conspiracy theories, most of which are political.
The encyclopedia was positively reviewed in The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, where it was referred to as a "beautifully-produced tome". It received both a positive and a negative review from two different writers in The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
. In 2008 the encyclopedia was listed as required reading in a course on conspiracy at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
Contents
Burnett notes that the German term "Verschworungsmythos" means "Conspiracy Myth", and has value as a descriptive label. "Perhaps the conspiracy world is an updated version of ancient myths, where monsters and the gods of Olympus and Valhalla have been replaced by aliens and the Illuminati of Washington and Buckingham Palace," writes Burnett.Three hundred and sixty-five conspiracy theories are discussed in the work, and the majority of these are political in nature. Topics discussed include the moon landings conspiracy theories, the Bilderberg group
Bilderberg Group
The Bilderberg Group, Bilderberg conference, or Bilderberg Club is an annual, unofficial, invitation-only conference of approximately 120 to 140 guests from North America and Western Europe, most of whom are people of influence. About one-third are from government and politics, and two-thirds from...
, the Illuminati
Illuminati
The Illuminati is a name given to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically the name refers to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment-era secret society founded on May 1, 1776...
, the Warren Commission
Warren Commission
The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, known unofficially as the Warren Commission, was established on November 27, 1963, by Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963...
and the Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories, the views of David Icke
David Icke
David Vaughan Icke is an English writer and public speaker, best known for his views on what he calls "who and what is really controlling the world." Describing himself as the most controversial speaker in the world, he has written 18 books explaining his position, and has attracted a substantial...
, and chupacabra
Chupacabra
The chupacabras is a legendary cryptid rumored to inhabit parts of the Americas. It is associated more recently with sightings of an allegedly unknown animal in Puerto Rico , Mexico, and the United States, especially in the latter's Latin American communities...
s. The encyclopedia has a section on assassination
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
s, and those discussed include the deaths of Kenneth Bigley
Kenneth Bigley
Kenneth John Bigley , born Liverpool, England, was a civil engineer who was kidnapped in the al-Mansour district of Baghdad, Iraq on 16 September 2004, along with his colleagues Jack Hensley and Eugene Armstrong, both U.S. citizens...
in 2004, Danny Casolaro
Danny Casolaro
Joseph Daniel Casolaro was an American freelance writer who came to public attention in 1991 when he was found dead in a bathtub in room 517 of the Sheraton Hotel in Martinsburg, West Virginia, his wrists slashed 10–12 times...
in 1991, John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
in 1963, and Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun , Egyptian , ; approx. 1341 BC – 1323 BC) was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty , during the period of Egyptian history known as the New Kingdom...
in 1323BC.
Reception
In a review of the encyclopedia for The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, Andrew Mueller called it a "beautifully-produced tome", and commented that the work "succeeds, as was probably intentional, in offering some fascinating tours of the byways of history and providing a tantalising alternative universe in which much of what you know may not be what it seems." John Cooper reviewed the encyclopedia for The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
, and described it as "an entertaining compilation of ideas ranging from who was the 'real William Shakespeare' to the BCCI case and al-Qaeda." Cooper noted "The most fascinating section relates to "Assassinations" ... an unusual fairytale book for Christmas." Martin Samuel also reviewed the encyclopedia for The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
, and gave a more critical review, commenting "For all the encyclopedia's pretence at sifting the evidence in search of a verdict, if the truth is out there, the authors are damned if they can find it."
Conspiracy Encyclopedia was listed as required reading in a 2008 course on conspiracy at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. Writing in Conspiracy Theories & Secret Societies For Dummies, authors Christopher Hodapp and Alice Von Kannon comment that Burnett asserts "the spirit of our times has had the crap kicked out of it by global domination". The encyclopedia is recommended for further reading by David Southwell and Sean Twist in their book Unsolved Political Mysteries.
External links
- Conspiracy Encyclopedia: The Encyclopedia of Conspiracy Theories, at official website of publisher