This up-to-date introduction to the complex world of conspiracies and conspiracy theories provides insight into why millions of people are so ready to believe the worst about our political, legal, religious, and financial institutions.

• Provides an in-depth, easy-to-access account of conspirators and secret organizations behind key plots to control American legal, political, and financial systems

• Presents the history of key American conspiracy theories, taking a longer view of how current conspiracy thinking developed over generations

• Explains the similarities and differences among conspiracy theories held by people on the far right and far left of the political spectrum

• Explores the cultural significance of widespread, popular reactions to advances in science, technology, and medicine, as well as the public's skepticism about highly trained professionals and their expert knowledge

• Offers an up-to-date survey of popular conspiracy theories regarding celebrity deaths and the popular distrust of the American media and police investigations

• Details the importance of the internet and social media in organizing conspiratorial movements and spreading conspiracy theories