What are some books on conspiracy theories (esp the major ones) and unexplained phenomena? Would like both proponents and refuters of theories.
While I am not generally a fan of the woo-woo, I really liked “Alien Agenda” by Jim Marrs. It was entertaining and raises some good questions. A fun read, a book that is well worth checking out…
The Fortean Times.
Umberto Eco’s “Foucaults Pendelum” is pretty much a satire on conspiracy theory books. Basic plot: After seeing the number of conspiracy crazies, three editors begin to invent their own conspiracy thoery. After a while, they begin to become more and more obessed with it, and the real conspiracy nuts begin to wonder just how they seem to know so much.
Very complex at points, but worth it.
a good start i found was CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND SECRET SOCIETIES FOR DUMMIES (seriously)
Books I personally enjoy & even agree with to some extent…
Conspiracies-
(All but the last are JBS-authored or recommended)
John Stormer’s NONE DARE CALL IT TREASON
Gary Allen’s NONE DARE CALL IT CONSPIRACY
John McManus’ THE INSIDERS
John McManus’ OVERVIEW OF OUR WORLD
Cleon Skousen’s THE NAKED CAPITALIST
Rose L. Martin’s FABIAN FREEWAY
Terry Melanson’s PERFECTIBILISTS: The 18th Century Bavarian Order of the Illuminati
Paranormal-
Colin Wilson’s THE OCCULT
Brad Steiger’s MYSTERIES OF TIME AND SPACE
- ATLANTIS RISING
- REVELATION: The Divine Fire
John Keel’s THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES - OUR HAUNTED PLANET
- UFOs: OPERATION TROJAN HORSE
Robert Anton Wilson’s COSMIC TRIGGER: The Final Secret of the Illuminati
Frank Edwards’ STRANGE series
For refuters, there’s quite a large collection available through Prometheus Books+ and Skeptical Inquirer
http://www.prometheusbooks.com/
I’ve found the books by Martin Gardner, Joe Nickell, the departed Donald Menzel and Phillip Klass (both on UFOs), Robert Schaeffer (on UFOs), and James Randi very helpful.
Bergen Evans, the proto-Cecil, wrote A Natural History of Nonsense and On the Spoor of Spooks, both excellent and humorous debunking books.
On Carlos Castaneda, see Richard de Mille.
Lawrence David Kusche literally wrote the book debunking the Bermuda Triangle, and did several articles on it.
L. Sprague de Camp, Willy Ley, and other writers for the pulps did lots of good debunking articles as well.
Harry Houdini’s books – A Magician Among the Spirits and Miracle Mongers and their Methods are very good.
C.E.M. Hansel wrote excellent stuff debunking ESP and other psi-power effects.
Robert Anton Wilson had a deep love for conspiracy theories. You’ll want to start off with the Illuminatus! Trilogy and move into some of his non-fiction works. He also has published an encyclopedia of sorts called “Everything’s Under Control: Conspiracies, Cults, and Cover-ups.”
Anything by David Icke, if you like your conspiracy theories infused with a healthy dose of CRAZY.
Also, “Them” and “The Men Who Stare At Goats” by Jon Ronson are similar to what you’re looking for.
Don DeLillo’s Libra is an exceptional book, about the JFK assassination. It’s a fictionalisation of what may have occurred, but it’s not written to establish any particular point of view, it just uses the event to power a novel about that time in US history.
The Rough Guide to Conspiracy Theories is good. There’s two volumes.
The Big Book of Conspiracies by Doug Moench is also good if you’re willing to accept the comic book format.
The 80 Greatest Conspiracies Of All Time by Jonathan Vankin and John Whalen started out as the 50 Greatest Conspiracies Of All Time. Then they went to 60, then 70. They’re about due for a new book; I don’t know if it’ll be 90 or if they’ll jamp ahead to 100.
Everything You Know Is Wrong: The Disinformation Guide to Secrets and Lies by Russ Kick. You might find it interesting in a “know the enemy” sense. Kick is a left-winger who distrusts everything on the right and has written several books about it.
Excuse but isn’t the new volume the updated version of the old one?
Conspiracy: How the Paranoid Style Fluorishes and Where It Comes From, by Daniel Pipes, is a good fnord historical guide.
Fascinating review of A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America, by Michael Barkun.
And check out his website!