Conspiracy Theories: A Reference Handbook

Gr 10 Up–This reference book offers a Western-focused examination of historical, cultural, religious, and current controversies, research, perspectives, as well as profiles on figures who have shaped, responded to, or fomented various conspiracy theories. This work also provides a wealth of primary ­documents to bolster its text. Written for readers with a sophisticated vocabulary, this work is not for younger students; it could very well sit on the shelves at a university library and serve its patrons well. 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. The suggestions for further reading are extensive as is the ­resource list. The layout of the book is ­logical, and there is a glossary and an index that readers will find helpful.