It's a Conspiracy!: The National Insecurity Council

by American Paranoiac Institute

Presents the facts behind over sixty conspiracies, including Malcolm X's murder, Richard Nixon and the Vietnam peace talks, the death of Elvis Presley, Watergate, and the suspicious death of Warren G. Harding

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Conspiracy Theories

250 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1992

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable little book – a collection of real life conspiracy stories, covering a variety of subjects. The usual suspects are here – JFK, Bobby Kennedy, Malcom X, Martin Luther King, Karen Silkwood, Agent Orange, and Iran Contra, among others. But so are a number of lesser known instances of possible conspiracies, some from over 50 years ago. Also present are some interesting takes on well established suspicious situations. For example, this book asserts that the Watergate burglary was the result of an attempt to find out about a whorehouse which was being run out of the Democratic National Committee. There was also a theory I had not heard before about the Marilyn death: that she was killed by mobsters who were trying to embarrass the Kennedys and settle a score with them, but the Kennedys moved fast and covered up the connection. The book also describes how GM and other companies worked together to undermine public transportation in California, looks at some odd occurrences around World War II, such as the US collaborating with German intelligence right after the war’s end, and the ties between U.S. corporations and the Nazis in the 1930s. There was also a humorous look at the “Elvis lives” conspiracy, and an interesting examination of how William R. Hearst and others helped to demonize reefer and get it outlawed, supposedly in an effort to destroy the growing of hemp, a potential competitor to some Hearst investments. All in all, an easy to get thru collection of conspiracies, far superior to reading a good magazine.

[Hank Hoeft · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting, thought provoking compilation of various possible conspiracies in modern American history. Unfortunately, this book was published in 1992--I would love to read an edition with more recent conspiracies. Also, I don't know if I'm just jaded and cynical, or if awareness of similar and further conspiracies in the subsequent 26 years has had affected my world view, but when I was reading about all these nefarious plots, I kept thinking to myself, "Yeah, so what else is new?"

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a convenient introduction to the basics of a number of U.S. conspiracies of varying current relevance. Although a better division between facts vs. conjecture would have been a help, as section titles such as "Background," "Suspicious Facts," and "Theory #1" don't make clear distinctions.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Published and read in a time before the internet made such things much more readily available.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A calm and balanced analysis of a number of events and situations that have become the topics of conspiracy theories. The authors present the relevant information and point out possible interpretations, but don't leap to conclusions where the evidence doesn't warrant it.

[Jojono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fucking Scary...
I looked over my shoulder... As I read about the CIA and FBI ,Hoover, Elvis, The Nazi's, Reagan/Bush administration,The Kennedy's and Richard Nixon. This is something everybody should read. I found it on my toilet!
Cheers!

[Matt Piechocinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as a birthday gift in High School from the Coleman's, when I was going through this conspiracy phase. It's pretty funny.