I really enjoyed this book! I have enjoyed all of this author’s books. I would love to see this book adapted to film and would love to read more but it’s like this one.

Part of a curious social experiment that uses satire and exaggeration to combat conspiracy theories and disinformation. As the leader of the "Birds Aren't Real" movement and co-author of this book, Peter McIndoe, said in an interview for Johns Hopkins University, "Sometimes you need to combat lunacy with lunacy". While I am not sure how effective his strategy can be, I have to appreciate his wit and creativity. The book is hilarious, using familiar conspiracy tactics to mix fact with absurdity.

It will make a perfect gift for both Monty Python fans and your elderly uncle, who may find that some of the theories he believes in are ridiculous as well.

Thanks to the publisher, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

This book is complete satire and I have not laughed this much in a long time -- it was very cathartic to me to take conspiracy theory to this extreme. There are "memos" between presidents and Allen Dulles (former head of CIA with a questionable record). There are FAQs (frequently asked questions) and there is even a kids section with games. There is a primer on how to lead a rally and then when all else fails to go live underground (literally). The premise, is that all of the birds out there have been killed off and replaced with surveillance robots. I just loved the humor in this book -- I am still chuckling as I write this review. Loved this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

Actual rating 2.5

I'd heard of the Birds Aren't Real conspiracy group many years ago, along with other supposed suppressed facts (Finland doesn't exist as a country is another classic), so I was pretty excited to see what would come of this in book form. Sadly, it wasn't a lot. It started out to be pretty funny, but when it kept repeating itself over and again, the humor disappeared and left me wishing for a shorter book. I think McIndoe did a decent job with coming up with some amusing "supporting facts", but in the end this was just too lean to be sustained, and would've done better as a novella at most.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

BIRDS AREN'T REAL The True Story of Mass Avian Murder and the Largest Surveillance Campaign in US History by Peter McIndoe & Connor Graydos

So much about this made sense. You all really need to take a look at this short book quickly before it gets hushed up and it is all too late.

Ok, actually, I had so much fun with this book! I needed a bit of the ridiculous and this hit just right. It was a quick read with a pretty impressive answer section to what would be great questions. I was fascinated to see how pieces of truth could be extrapolated into the ludicrous. A timely lesson.

Thank you to @stmartinspress & @netgalley for this fun read that came out on June 4th! This was the kind of light read I needed.

Have you ever seen a baby pigeon? Stands to reason then that birds are not real. The amount of people that took this book as fact was more hilarious than the book itself. A tongue-in-cheek look at how Americans can fall down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories! Bought a copy for my conspiracy theory loving boss!

I requested this one based only on the blurb. I have never heard of the birds are not real movement until now.

I have been converted.

I am all in.

I am also able to laugh at the absurdity of people falling for some of the way out there theories.

This is not a "story" so I cannot review it that way, but if you want to have a good idea of how one can easily fall into some of the "how in the world did they get there" then this is the book for you.

My favorite part was pumpkinhead. Now it all makes sense to me.

Fun to begin with, but just kind of weird as it goes on. And all of a sudden you feel like you're promoting the right wing (haha wing) agenda simply by reading this book that was meant to be a spoof but will most likely be used against us in court someday.

Birds aren’t real: it’s right there in the title. They convinced me. Birds are clearly a conspiracy. Evidence is overwhelming. I’m a believer.

This book was kind of funny. It was definitely well laid out in a way that you could follow through and see how birds aren’t real. It was laid out how each bird was changed to not be real. It went through each president and their role in this scheme against the public.

Then how to fight back against the politicians. It was definitely funny not parts and a great call to arms.

I would say this book was cute.

3/5 stars,

I love a good conspiracy theory, especially one as silly as this one. It's a funny read if you can find humor in the bit. If you're not easily amused then this is not the book for you. It goes into depth about the start of the conspiracy theory and some thoughts on continuing the movement.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review.

This is a*very* tongue in cheek and sarcastic look at American conspiracy theories and the people who fall for them. And while I did find parts rather hilarious, I think this type of story would be better formatted as a collection of short stories instead of a full-fledged book.

Birds Aren't Real was published June 4, 2024. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley and the author for the digital advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book had moments that were hilarious, but other times it felt like it was stuck in a loop telling the same thing with different words. If you enjoy satire and are intrigued about American conspiracy theories then you will enjoy this book. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was a very different book. They propose that there are no live birds anymore. They propose that all birds have been killed by the CIA and they have all been replaced by drones so that they can all be used for surveillance. I know, it seems WAY out there, but it is a theory and they make some interesting points. If you want to read a book that will challenge your beliefs, this is the book.

Birds Aren't Real by Peter McIndoe and Connor Gaydos was received directly from the publisher and I chose to review it. I had never heard of this conspiracy theory before so I went into this book expecting to hate it due to a "nutjob" book. What I found was a funny book that was like a long stand-up comedy routine. Did it get "old" at times? Yes, indeed it did; however, skimming was easy until I found portions that were a new topic. While this book is satire (yes it is), with the way things are going nowadays it is not crazy talk for people to think it could maybe be true. If you or someone you buy gifts for like a satirical look at an off-the-wall conspiracy theory, certainly give this book a read.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Have I found the Birds Aren't Real online conspiracy mongering fun? Yes. Did I find that spread out over a 270ish page book a little thin? Also yes.

Honestly, I was hoping for a little more behind-the-scenes "here's why we did this, here's what we learned amidst all the silliness here", and this was more of a brand extension exercise. I'm not the audience here! You might have more fun.

I thought this was hilarious. I was in for a good laugh. Clever and well-thought out. I think anyone looking to be entertained, satire and all, and those who like to challenge their knowledge of world facts and history will enjoy this one. Will make a fabulous read for book club, graduation, birthday, and Father's Day gift.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advance readers copy via access to the galley for free through the NetGalley program.

<b>The Story</b>
I laughed so hard at all of the detail and quirks in this one.

From the charging stations, the description of The Great Rebellion, the establishment of The Thirteen Colonies into the American Empire. The inventions. The summary biographies of U.S. presidents. The Thanksgiving prayer. Pardoning. The dialogue. Recordings. The sit-reps.

A bit of telling of history and plausible interconnectivity to the operation. The source material. Multi-layered satire. It just kept going and going, and I was happy to read all about it.

I did end up spending a great deal of time reading through the Reagan Doctrine, from Nicaragua to Soviet influence and ally formation, the notable operation Contra, then reflecting back to the Nintendo video game and all the levels, thinking, I wonder the sourcing for inspiration? Though I could not confirm. But before I knew it I watching play throughs, looking for any potential hidden symbolism.

<b>The Writing</b>
The word find and quiz, added so much character to the book.

I loved the sketch illustrations.

I think for 116 pages, it’s a fun book to read if you’re looking for a good laugh or an in-between heavy book endeavor.

And how to shelve it, whether fiction or nonfiction? By critique in its own right, it's not untrue or fantasy imaginative, or conspiratorial in its inquiry and presentation, or from the premise of speculative opinion, or is it?

<a href="https://wp.me/p9BAP8-9Ox">Blog post</a>

DNF. I think there is a very specific audience for this book... Unfortunately, it doesn't include me. Going into it, I was hoping for an in depth, non biased look into the conspiracy and the viewpoints of those that follow this belief. However, this book uses the history as a vehicle to make digs at the conspiracy and those that follow it. It reads more like a really long stand up routine with mildly amusing jabs at the audience. While I'm not a subscriber to this conspiracy, the brand of humor wasn't a match for my tastes and I didn't really learn what I wanted to learn in the long run.

It had some funny moments but dragged a bit in parts. I think this book would make a great gift for someone. It shows that you know they're a bit odd and like oddball humour. Unfortunately I think this book works best as a gift for someone else and it's not to be bought and read for yourself.

Silly and fun, but belabors the joke a little bit. Great if you're looking for something you can occasionally pick up, read a passage, and laugh.