Republic of Lies

American Conspiracy Theorists and Their Surprising Rise to Power

De: Anna Merlan

Narrado por: Suehyla El-Attar, Anna Merlan - introduction

"This well-produced audiobook is also well researched, and well intentioned." (AudioFile Magazine)

This program includes an introduction read by the author.

A riveting tour through the landscape and meaning of modern conspiracy theories, exploring the causes and tenacity of this American malady, from birthers to Pizzagate and beyond.

American society has always been fertile ground for conspiracy theories, but with the election of Donald Trump, previously outlandish ideas suddenly attained legitimacy. Trump himself is a conspiracy enthusiast: from his claim that global warming is a Chinese hoax to the accusations of “fake news”, he has fanned the flames of suspicion.

But it was not by the power of one man alone that these ideas gained new power. Republic of Lies looks beyond the caricatures of conspiracy theorists to explain their tenacity. Without lending the theories validity, Anna Merlan gives a nuanced, sympathetic account of the people behind them, across the political spectrum, and the circumstances that helped them take hold. The lack of a social safety net, inadequate education, bitter culture wars, and years of economic insecurity have created large groups of people who feel forgotten by their government and even besieged by it.

Our contemporary conditions are a perfect petri dish for conspiracy movements: a durable, permanent, elastic climate of alienation and resentment. All the while, an army of politicians and conspiracy peddlers has fanned the flames of suspicion to serve their own ends.

Bringing together penetrating historical analysis and gripping on-the-ground reporting, Republic of Lies transforms our understanding of American paranoia.

©2019 Anna Merlan (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Great!!

One of the best books ever. Read it. Deep dive into conspiracy theorists and our post truth society. And yes it’s anti Trump so if you like him, skip it. 3/4 oh America is in this camp(anti Trump or indifferent). I’m pretty sure our brains are wired differently so I will just accept it. This book helped me do that

Great in several ways

Merlan is a serious writer, and she’s gutsy, she got right in the middle of these people and their conventions. And if you listen to Audiobooks to fall asleep like I do, her voice is perfect for it, it’s even-toned.

A great exploration of American Conspiracy

Anna Merlen weaves a wonderful story about conspiracy theories in the US, and examines both why they are so prevelent and often how the suspicion in justified.

Superb Jurnalism. Deftly crafted. Thought inspiring.

This is one of the best books I have read. I almost never write reviews. This book portrays an honest appraisal and accounting about conspiricisim permeating our society. Regardless of one's belief system, this is a 'must read'. You will be mentally enriched and inspired by the journalism and wisdom embodied in this book

Republic of Lies... Essential Listening.

This is a must listen for everyone as we work to put the last 4 years of lies and corruption behind us. We must understand American fantasy and American’s susceptibility to believe anything due to the stressors of unfulfilled promises from the sovereign state. With prosperity for all comes truth and rigorous honesty, unlike the conspiracies and lies that have festered under the kakistocracy of a reality TV goon and his family.

Thank you Anna, this book is an incredible deep dive and explanation of how we got to inflection and insurrection point.