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9781138346819

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‘Conspiracy theories are as old as the hills, but they only became the object of scholarly study and concern after 1945. In this meticulously researched study, Katharina Thalmann traces the discursive history of conspiracy theory, revealing how it became a familiar concept, a widely derided form of explanation, and a perceived threat to democratic rationality. Thalmann's approach helps to explain the persistent public fascination with conspiracy, from the rise of a postwar ""culture of paranoia"" to contemporary debate about the politics of conspiracy discourse.’ Professor Timothy Melley, author of The Covert Sphere: Secrecy, Fiction, and the National Security State (Cornell University Press, 2012). ‘Thalmann’s bold and timely book updates and challenges longstanding concerns that conspiracy theories have become increasingly respectable. In offering precise and nuanced readings of conspiracy theories and their reception within academic and media discourses, Thalmann produces a convincing argument about the changing status of conspiracy theories during the Twentieth Century. Thalmann also addresses the contemporary moment. While other commentators see Trump’s ascension as proof of conspiracy theory’s increased legitimacy, Thalmann suggests that Trump and other influential conspiracy theorists on the populist right today gain traction through their links to conspiracy theory precisely becauseof its fringe, illegitimate hue. Getting airtime is not the same as legitimacy in Thalmann’s eyes. Reading against the grain, with careful conviction, Thalmann’s book is a key intervention into the lively field of conspiracy studies.’ Dr Clare Birchall – Reader in Contemporary Culture, King’s College London, UK.

"‘Conspiracy theories are as old as the hills, but they only became the object of scholarly study and concern after 1945. In this meticulously researched study, Katharina Thalmann traces the discursive history of conspiracy theory, revealing how it became a familiar concept, a widely derided form of explanation, and a perceived threat to democratic rationality. Thalmann's approach helps to explain the persistent public fascination with conspiracy, from the rise of a postwar ""culture of paranoia"" to contemporary debate about the politics of conspiracy discourse.’ Professor Timothy Melley, author of The Covert Sphere: Secrecy, Fiction, and the National Security State (Cornell University Press, 2012). ‘Thalmann’s bold and timely book updates and challenges longstanding concerns that conspiracy theories have become increasingly respectable. In offering precise and nuanced readings of conspiracy theories and their reception within academic and media discourses, Thalmann produces a convincing argument about the changing status of conspiracy theories during the Twentieth Century. Thalmann also addresses the contemporary moment. While other commentators see Trump’s ascension as proof of conspiracy theory’s increased legitimacy, Thalmann suggests that Trump and other influential conspiracy theorists on the populist right today gain traction through their links to conspiracy theory precisely becauseof its fringe, illegitimate hue. Getting airtime is not the same as legitimacy in Thalmann’s eyes. Reading against the grain, with careful conviction, Thalmann’s book is a key intervention into the lively field of conspiracy studies.’ Dr Clare Birchall – Reader in Contemporary Culture, King’s College London, UK."

`Conspiracy theories are as old as the hills, but they only became the object of scholarly study and concern after 1945. In this meticulously researched study, Katharina Thalmann traces the discursive history of conspiracy theory, revealing how it became a familiar concept, a widely derided form of explanation, and a perceived threat to democratic rationality. Thalmann's approach helps to explain the persistent public fascination with conspiracy, from the rise of a postwar culture of paranoia to contemporary debate about the politics of conspiracy discourse.' Professor Timothy Melley, author of The Covert Sphere: Secrecy, Fiction, and the National Security State (Cornell University Press, 2012). `Thalmann's bold and timely book updates and challenges longstanding concerns that conspiracy theories have become increasingly respectable. In offering precise and nuanced readings of conspiracy theories and their reception within academic and media discourses, Thalmann produces a convincing argument about the changing status of conspiracy theories during the Twentieth Century. Thalmann also addresses the contemporary moment. While other commentators see Trump's ascension as proof of conspiracy theory's increased legitimacy, Thalmann suggests that Trump and other influential conspiracy theorists on the populist right today gain traction through their links to conspiracy theory precisely becauseof its fringe, illegitimate hue. Getting airtime is not the same as legitimacy in Thalmann's eyes. Reading against the grain, with careful conviction, Thalmann's book is a key intervention into the lively field of conspiracy studies.' Dr Clare Birchall - Reader in Contemporary Culture, King's College London, UK.

'Conspiracy theories are as old as the hills, but they only became the object of scholarly study and concern after 1945. In this meticulously researched study, Katharina Thalmann traces the discursive history of conspiracy theory, revealing how it became a familiar concept, a widely derided form of explanation, and a perceived threat to democratic rationality. Thalmann's approach helps to explain the persistent public fascination with conspiracy, from the rise of a postwar culture of paranoia to contemporary debate about the politics of conspiracy discourse.' Professor Timothy Melley, author of The Covert Sphere: Secrecy, Fiction, and the National Security State (Cornell University Press, 2012). 'Thalmann's bold and timely book updates and challenges longstanding concerns that conspiracy theories have become increasingly respectable. In offering precise and nuanced readings of conspiracy theories and their reception within academic and media discourses, Thalmann produces a convincing argument about the changing status of conspiracy theories during the Twentieth Century. Thalmann also addresses the contemporary moment. While other commentators see Trump's ascension as proof of conspiracy theory's increased legitimacy, Thalmann suggests that Trump and other influential conspiracy theorists on the populist right today gain traction through their links to conspiracy theory precisely becauseof its fringe, illegitimate hue. Getting airtime is not the same as legitimacy in Thalmann's eyes. Reading against the grain, with careful conviction, Thalmann's book is a key intervention into the lively field of conspiracy studies.' Dr Clare Birchall - Reader in Contemporary Culture, King's College London, UK.

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Katharina Thalmann is Assistant Professor in the American Studies Department, University of Tübingen, Germany.

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