Republic of Lies

American Conspiracy Theorists and Their Surprising Rise to Power

By: Anna Merlan

Narrated by: Suehyla El-Attar, Anna Merlan - introduction

Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

"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.

even-handed and thought-provoking

Anna Merlan’s book Republic of Lies is a well written, even-handed, and thought-provoking look at the cause and effects of conspiracy theories. Being perhaps the most recognized victim of one of the most prolific conspiracy theories, Sandy Hook, it can be easy to focus on the horrible results of hoaxer’s beliefs, which have included stalking, harassment, and death threats. While acknowledging the tremendous damage that conspiracy theory causes and the threat to both private citizens like myself and to the community and even democracy as a whole, Merlan peels back the layers of circumstances that create conspiracy theories and discusses why they happen and how easily they can consume people. This book is an important read for anyone interested in understanding what is quite possibly the greatest threat to society; disinformation, misinformation, and the monetization of lies.

Must-read for citizens of western democracy

Amazing deep dive into the seemingly unbelievable repudiation of truth by segments of US society

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.

Riveting!

Anna’s research is thorough, she treats her subjects and readers with respect, her sense of humor is wry. I loved this book and listened to it in one sitting.

An empathetic dive into dark corners

This is a deep dive into the sub-culture(s) of modern American conspiracy theories. But rather than laughing at believers’ strange ideas or focusing on the irredeemable villains of the community, Merlan is empathetic as she explains how so many people became so lost. Reminded me a bit of Jon Ronson’s books. Her thoughts in the epilogue, on how tech companies and journalists should operate in the world she describes, could be her next book!

Timely issue

We’ll read important examination of of a current social issue impacting our democracy. A necessary topic.

Must Listen

Very informative and wonderfully written. Performance was top notch. Hope to get more from Anna