Debunked!: Conspiracy Theories, Urban Legends, and Evil Plots of...

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 224 pages
• Published by: Chicago Review Press
• Edition: 1st Edition June 1, 2008
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1556527071
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1556527074
• Book Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 14.9 ounces

Product Description
As he did in Urban Legends and Hollywood Urban Legends, and as he has done in dozens of columns for the Chicago Sun-Times over the last decade and a half, Richard Roeper lays out the basics of the conspiracy theory, quotes some of the true believers—and then tears the theory apart with his bare hands. 9/11 was an inside job. lady Di and JFK Jr. were murdered. Heathens are winning the war on Christmas. American Idol is rigged. Barack Obama is a radical Muslim. The Secret will make you thin. The Virgin Mary is in the grilled cheese. That’s what it’s like to live inside the mind of the 21st-century conspiracy theorist, who believes that all you have to do is look at the signs and you’ll see what’s really going on. This book will appeal to the vast majority of readers who possess the common sense gene, as well as the vocal minority who believe they’re living in a world in which secret tribunals pull the strings and influence the outcome of everything from terrorist attacks to professional sporting events.



About The Author
Richard Roeper is a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and the co-host of Ebert & Roeper. He is the author of Sox and the City, Schlock Value, Ten Sure Signs a Movie Character Is Doomed, Urban Legends, and Hollywood Urban Legends.

Reader Reviews
Roeper's "Debunked" is a witty, no-holds barred look at a few of the sacred cows of conspiracy theorists and believers in urban legends. Happily, he's an equal opportunity critic, skewering the icons of the left (Rosie O'Donnell and Oprah Winfrey) with as much verve as the idols of the right (Bill O'Reilly and Ann Coulter). I'm delighted by his "fair and balanced treatment" of assorted conspiracy theories, urban legends and evil plots (just like on Fox "News"!). All in all, it's a pretty brave book: Roeper could have just as easily called it "Please Send Me Sackloads of Vitriolic Hate Mail," because that's what he's probably going to get. Too bad, because "Debunked" does a nice job of explaining why 9-11 was caused by terrorists and not our government, why casinos don't cheat (your odds of winning are so low that they don't need to), why there's no good reason to think that Princess Di or JFK, Jr were murdered, why "The Secret" is hokum, and why there is no vast left-wing conspiracy. (On the last point, my own guess is that the left wing conspirators were murdered in a vast right-wing conspirancy organized by Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, and Elvis, but Roeper doesn't really mention that theory, probably because he's part of the conspiracy). Speaking of extreme right wingers like O'Reilly and Coulter, I've always wondered why their evident love for conspiracy theories doesn't extend to traditional conservative institutions. I mean, who's to say, for instance, that the National Rifle Association isn't a front organization for the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, or that the BATF hasn't by nefarious means secured access to the NRA's computerized mailing lists? You send the NRA your address when you become a member or subscribe to the National Rifleman, right? So they know where you live, that you probably own guns, and that you support the Second Amendment. Won't that put you in an awkward spot when the Shadow Government implements its evil plans? Since the NRA membership or subscription wouldn't tell the Bad Guys how many guns you own or where they are located, the Shadow Government would just have to kill or imprison everyone at that address. And if you think you are safe because you use a PO box--the US Postal Service is a government agency, right? Why don't O'Reilly and Coulter ever fret about that possibility unless---gasp!--they're part of the conspiracy!!! All of this is very silly, but no sillier than some of the other urban legends and conspiracy theories that Roeper debunks with great flair. The bottom line is that Roeper's latest installment in a series that began with "Urban Legends" and "Hollywood Urban Legends," will upset people who hear the words "coming soon to a theater near you!" and scream "oh, my God, how did THEY know?!" Comment (1) | | (Report this)