In an of the moment book, Gambone lays out 10 common conspiracy theories and gives the background on each. In addition, he provides a framework for analyzing theories in order to determine if the meet the "smell test" (my term, not his). In a world where misinformation and disinformation spread as quickly as the truth, that is invaluable. All of the conspiracies covered are common, so there isn't anything new in terms of the topics, but the fresh take comes in providing the roots of the conspiracies as well as using his structure of analysis in order to put each theory to the test. I found this to be a very interesting and extremely worthwhile read.

Subtitle: Separating Fact From Fiction

Michael Gambone is a professor at Kutztown University, where one of the courses he teaches concerns conspiracy theories – what they are, how they spread, and how to analyze evidence provided and attempt to determine a theory’s truthfulness. This book provides more of an academic way of looking at various conspiracy theories instead of a particularly deep dive into the details surrounding them.


Gambone uses some older conspiracy theories to illustrate how his methods work, but the heart of the book involves more modern conspiracy theories starting with 9/11 and going forward to QAnon, the 2020 ‘election fraud’ claims, and the January 6 Insurrection. First, I’d like to make an observation on the author’s viewpoint on the JFK Assassination – even though he concludes that the Warren Commission mishandled their investigation and approached it with their single-shooter conclusion already firmly established, he believes Oswald was the sole assassin, an opinion the most of the evidence twisted or ignored by the Commission would seem to disprove.

With regard to the more recent conspiracies covered, even though the author does a good job of detailing the claims of the newer conspiracies and their lack of truthfulness, he often engages in ‘both-sides-ism’ as if pointing out the untruthfulness of claims is a conspiracy theory in and of itself.

I gave Modern American Conspiracies four stars on Goodreads. It does provide a pretty thorough debunking of chemtrails, the anti-vax movement, and 9/11 theories in general. As pointed out above, I was disappointed in how various other conspiracies were handled.

Everyone at some point has heard at least one conspiracy in their life. The author Michael Gambone shows how the world has changed over the years that has allow the modern day over the top conspiracy theories that have run rampage on the TV and internet.

What used to be tin hats, that person, Xfiles, or the uncle no one wants to talk to is now mainstream media and part of our every day. From the most successful to the weakest of minds the authors give reader an eye-opening look at the conspiracy with the evidence and how he is able to use that information and show readers how one thought can turn into the most outrageous conspiracy to this day.

Evidence based knowledge will help reads be able to decide for themselves truth vs fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Michael D. Gambone Modern Conspiracies in Ameria.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Rowman & Littlefield for an advanced copy of this new book on politics and conspiracies in America.

Growing up in America you learn a lot of facts that people, educators, politicians and cracy uncles believe are true, but are actually more apocryphal, or just outright lies. Blame it on our education system, lack of civics classes or media awareness, or just plain old stupid. Americans have a odd relationship with the truth. We believe what we want to believe, want everyone to agree with us cause we are right, hate those that disagree and never never like to admit to being wrong. Michael D. Gambone, professor of history at Kutztown University address America's vulnerability and gullibility in his book Modern Conspiracies in America: Separating Fact from Fiction, a guide to the major conspiracy beliefs that fill Twitter and the media, which has a hard time calling a lie a lie.

The book begins with a basic introduction to the author learning about conspiracies on the Internet and the large group of people who were beginning to take what was shown as true gospel. The book goes on to his class that he began to teach on conspiracies, and how they started, a class that seems quite popular on campus. From there the book is a primer on the origins of various conspiracies, what shaped them and who, and even better how to combat them with logic and steady, no that's wrong. Covered are the classics, President Kennedy's assassination, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the recent ones QAnon, the 2020 election, and some that are deep cuts for serious fans, Sandy Hook, Chemtrails, and more. The book is broken into eleven chapters that go deep into each one, with some tie-ins to other conspiracies covered.

The book lays the ideas out well, and Professor Gambone has done a lot of research and work on addressing these dangerous dumb ideas, where they started from, who benefits from these ideas, and facts to combat them. The class he teaches must be a very interesting. Everything is sourced well, with a glossary of terms so you too can speak your uncle at any holiday you have to sit next to him. I kid, the glossary is very comprehensive, as is the work. My only question is that Professor Gambone mentions that he became aware of conspiracies on the Internet in 2015, which seems very odd for a history professor. I have heard this anti- government New World Order United Nation Invasion stuff for quite awhile. There was a show called The X-Files that based almost ten seasons on this. To be not aware about this, and how it has grown, is strange.

A nice modern compendium of life on the fringe, which sadly is not the fringe but seems to be mainstream. Recommended for young people thinking of entering politics, or for young people who want to talk to their parents, uncles, grandparents who watch FOX and Newsmax constantly. A book that doesn't fill people with a lot of hope, more people belive the darndest things. Can't wait to see what the next big conspiracy is. Till then, this book will help you keep up and ready to fight this disinformation.