{"product_id":"the-united-states-of-paranoia-a-conspiracy-theory-isbn-9780062135568","title":"The United States of Paranoia: A Conspiracy Theory","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJesse Walker’s\u003cem\u003e The United States of Paranoia\u003c\/em\u003e presents a comprehensive history of conspiracy theories in American culture and politics, from the colonial era to the War on Terror.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe fear of intrigue and subversion doesn’t exist only on the fringes of society, but has always been part of our national identity. When such tales takes hold, Walker argues, they reflect the anxieties and experiences of the people who believe them, even if they say nothing true about the objects of the theories themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith intensive research and a deadpan sense of humor, Jesse Walker’s \u003cem\u003eThe United States of Paranoia \u003c\/em\u003ecombines the rigor of real history with the punch of pulp fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis giftable edition includes primary-source documentation in the form of archival photographs, cartoons, and film stills selected by the author.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“First there was \u003cem\u003eA People’s History of the United States\u003c\/em\u003e. Now there’s a paranoid’s history, with Jesse Walker revealing that normal, sensible citizens have been conspiracy nuts ever since our nation’s beginning.”—Debbie Nathan, author of Sybil Exposed\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003eConspiracy theories aren’t just a feature of the fringe. They’ve been a potent force across the political spectrum, at the center as well as the extremes, from the colonial era to the present. In \u003cem\u003eThe United States of Paranoia\u003c\/em\u003e, Jesse Walker argues that conspiracy stories should be read not just as claims to be believed or debunked but also as folklore. When a tale takes hold, it reveals something true about the anxieties and experiences of those who believe and repeat it, even if the story says nothing true about the objects of the theory itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStretching from the seventeenth century to today, Walker’s book lays out five conspiracy narratives that recur in American politics and popular culture. With intensive research and a deadpan sense of humor,\u003cem\u003e The United States of Paranoia\u003c\/em\u003e combines the rigor of real history with the punch of pulp fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“First there was \u003cem\u003eA People’s History of the United States\u003c\/em\u003e. Now there’s a paranoid’s history, with Jesse Walker revealing that normal, sensible citizens have been conspiracy nuts ever since our nation’s beginning.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDebbie Nathan, author of Sybil Exposed\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Free-floating fear and half-baked ideas about what’s really going on have been a more significant part of American history than is generally accepted, according to Jesse Walker’s thorough, meticulously researched book.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eVice\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Prepare to be amazed.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eJeet Heer, author of In Love with Art\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A superb analysis of American paranoia…terrific, measured, objective.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Oddly entertaining...Walker quickly demolishes [Richard Hofstadter’s “The Paranoid Style in American Politics]. It’s all too rare to come upon a writer willing to attack the sacred cows of the right and left with equal amounts of intelligence and flair.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Harper Perennial","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44888093950181,"sku":"NP9780062135568","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062135568.jpg?v=1730228137","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/the-united-states-of-paranoia-a-conspiracy-theory-isbn-9780062135568","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}