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Author:   Jeffrey B. Webb (Huntington University, USA)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Imprint:   Bloomsbury Academic
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.80cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.454kg
ISBN:  

9798765118665

Pages:   304
Publication Date:   28 May 2026
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Primary & secondary/elementary & high school ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Secondary
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Preface Chapter 1: Background and History Understanding Conspiracy Theories Conspiracy Theories in Ancient Times Conspiracy Theories in the Medieval Era The Early Modern Era Machiavelli and the Conspiracy Mindset Religious Tensions Provide Fertile Ground for Conspiracies Puritans and Conspiracy Theories Conspiracy Theories Arrive in the New World A New Outlook in Colonial America Conspiracy Theories and the American Revolution Conspiracy Theories in the French Revolution The Illuminati Conspiracy Theory The Illuminati Conspiracy Theory in the United States Anti-Masonic Conspiracy Theories in the United States Conspiracy Theories in the U.S. Civil War Era Gilded Age Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories The New Immigrants and Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories Conspiracy Theories in Science, Technology, and Medicine Conspiracy Theories in the Mid-Twentieth Century The JFK Assassination Conspiracy Theory Phenomenon Toward the New Millennium Contemporary Anti-Government Conspiracy Theories Conspiracy Theories Since 2000 Chapter 2: Problems, Controversies, Solutions Problems - Defining a Concept and Describing a Practice Hofstadter’s Framework Expanding the Framework Conspiracy Theories as Stigmatized Knowledge Understanding the Audience for Conspiracy Theories - Misinformation and Disinformation Rules of Evidence and Logic Conspiracy Theories in the Digital Age - Public Nuisance and Public Harm Ideas Can Be Dangerous The “Plandemic” Epidemic The Sandy Hook Conspiracy Theory - Weakening Credibility of Experts The Need for Experts 9/11 Conspiracy Theories and the 9/11 Commission Report COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories and Public Health Experts Controversies Origins of QAnon QAnon and Donald Trump The January 6 Insurrection The Right-Wing Media The Anti-Government Militia Movement Christian Nationalism Truth, Belief, Reality Solutions The Marketplace of Ideas Debunking Conspiracy Theories Tracking and Exposing Conspiracy Theories Legal Action Against Conspiracy Theorists Mental Health Intervention Deplatforming Conspiracy Theory Spreaders Educating the Next Generation in Media Literacy Research on Conspiracy Theories How Conspiracy Theorists Make Their Arguments Predictors and Determinants of Conspiracy Belief The Importance of Information Environments Effects of Conspiracy Theory Adherence References Chapter 3: Perspectives Conspiracy Theories and Myth-Making Christopher R. Fee Thinking Socially About Conspiracy Theories Jeffrey S. Debies-Carl Evangelical Christian Culture and Conspiratorial Tendencies Jared S. Burkholder Conspiracy Theories in Turkey Andrew Wickersham How to Spot Fake Health News Bill Sullivan Veterans and Conspiracy Theories Michael T. Gambone The Warped Epistemology of Conspiracy Theories Maarten Boudry Chapter 4: Profiles Augustin Barruel (1741-1820) John Robison (1739-1805) Lebbeus Armstrong (1175-1860) Thomas R. Whitney (1807-1858) John Smith Dye (c.1821-1881) Henry Ford (1863-1947) John Thomas Flynn (1882-1964) Donald Edward Keyhoe (1897-1988) Dan Smoot (1913-2003) Richard Condon (1915-1996) Mark Lane (1927-2016) Robert H. W. Welch, Jr. (1899-1985) Milton William Cooper (1943-2001) Louis Farrakhan (1933- ) Pat Robertson (1930-2023) Alex Jones (1974- ) David Vaughan Icke (1952- ) Ian R. Crane (1956-2021) Chapter 5: Data and Documents Documents Document 5.1 - Misinformation, Conspiracy Theories, and ‘Infodemics’ (2020) Document 5.2 - Fanning the Flames: Disinformation and Extremism in The Media (2021) Document 5.3 – Links Between Conspiracy Theories and White Supremacist Violence (2022) Document 5.4 – Calling for a National Day of Reason (2023) Document 5.5 - How Conspiratorial Thinking is Undermining Democracy (2023) Chapter 6: Resources Chapter 7: Chronology Glossary About the Author Index

Reviews

""Webb adeptly details how belief in conspiracies chip away at a population's trust in the very elements that constitute a society. The -author does a great job detailing conspiracies without assigning blame, merely pointing out the flaws in logic inherent to those theories... A solid reference book for curious and astute high school students."" --School Library Journal ""This compelling reference work is a valuable resource about a potentially dangerous contemporary subject. Give to readers seeking to understand the roots and repercussions of conspiracy thinking."" --Library Journal ""This title provides thoughtful context and perspective on today's conspiracy theories, and is a definite recommendation for academics, college students, and other serious readers."" --Booklist

Webb adeptly details how belief in conspiracies chip away at a population’s trust in the very elements that constitute a society. The ­author does a great job detailing conspiracies without assigning blame, merely pointing out the flaws in logic inherent to those theories... A solid reference book for curious and astute high school students. * School Library Journal * This compelling reference work is a valuable resource about a potentially dangerous contemporary subject. Give to readers seeking to understand the roots and repercussions of conspiracy thinking. * Library Journal * This title provides thoughtful context and perspective on today’s conspiracy theories, and is a definite recommendation for academics, college students, and other serious readers. * Booklist *

Author Information

Jeffrey B. Webb is Professor of History at Huntington University, USA

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