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They Knew
- How a Culture of Conspiracy Keeps America Complacent
- Narrated by: Sarah Kendzior
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
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Publisher's summary
This program is read by the author.
FINALIST FOR THE LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE
“Every sentence delivered. The pathos of truth-seeking left me thinking of Herman Melville." —Timothy Snyder, #1 New York Times bestselling author of On Tyranny
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING author Sarah Kendzior delves into the difference between conspiracy and conspiracy theory, "deftly separat[ing] fact from fiction in a conspiracy-addled nation" (VANITY FAIR).
"The topics covered in this audiobook may be rough going for listeners, but the author's commitment to sounding the alarm will keep them glued to their earbuds." —AudioFile
Conspiracy theories are on the rise because officials refuse to enforce accountability for real conspiracies. Uncritical faith in broken institutions is as dangerous as false narratives peddled by propagandists.
The truth may hurt—but the lies will kill us.
They Knew discusses conspiracy culture in a rapidly declining United States struggling with corruption, climate change, and other crises. As the actions of the powerful remain shrouded in mystery—“From Norman Baker to Jeffrey Epstein, Iran-Contra to January 6" (VF)—it is unsurprising that people turn to conspiracy theories to fill the informational void. They Knew exposes the tactics these powerful actors use to placate an inquisitive public.
Here, for the first time, Kendzior blends her signature whip-smart prose and eviscerating arguments with lyrical and intimate examinations of the times and places that haunt American history. "America is a ghost story," states Kendzior, as she unearths decades of buried history, providing an essential and critical look at how to rebuild our democracy by confronting the political lies and crimes that have shaped us.
A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.
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Bestselling author and Fox News Channel host Eric Bolling presents an infuriating, amusing, revealing, and outrageous history of American politics, past and present, Republican and Democrat. From national political scandals to tempests in a teapot that blew up; bribery, blackmail, bullying, and backroom deals that contradicted public policies; cronyism that cost taxpayers hundreds upon hundreds of millions of dollars; and personal conduct that can only be described as regrettable, The Swamp is a journey downriver through the bayous and marshes of Capitol Hill and Foggy Bottom.
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Mr. President, drain the swamp
- By Wayne on 06-30-17
By: Eric Bolling
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Death of the Liberal Class
- By: Chris Hedges
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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Chris Hedges examines the failure of the liberal class to confront the rise of the corporate state and the consequences of a liberalism that has become profoundly bankrupted. Hedges argues that there are five pillars of the liberal establishment and that each of these institutions has sold out the constituents it represented. In doing so, the liberal class has become irrelevant to society at large and ultimately the corporate power elite they once served.
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Integrity-Can You Tell Me Where It's Gone?
- By Mel on 06-14-12
By: Chris Hedges
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American Betrayal: The Secret Assault on Our Nation’s Character
- By: Diana West
- Narrated by: Diana West
- Length: 20 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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"Russian influence" may have entered our national pop-consciousness in Election 2016, but it is the shiny, deceptive, contested, and buried X-factor of a century of wars in Washington. In American Betrayal, Diana West digs deep to uncover a body of lies that Americans have been led to regard as the near-sacred history of World War II and its Cold War aftermath. Part real-life thriller, part national tragedy, American Betrayal lights up the massive, Moscow-directed penetration of America's most hallowed halls of power.
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True history of WWII &its consequences then & now
- By jac on 04-24-18
By: Diana West
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Cowards
- What Politicians, Radicals, and the Media Refuse to Say
- By: Glenn Beck
- Narrated by: Ron McLarty
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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As we approach the most important presidential election in America’s history, something has been lost among all of the debates, attack ads, and super- PACs - something that Americans used to hold in very high regard: THE TRUTH. The truth can no longer be something we hope for; it must be something we live. When courage prevails, cowards do not - and this book was written to ensure that’s exactly what happens.
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Guess what... Its by Glenn Beck!!
- By Joseph on 07-17-12
By: Glenn Beck
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The Death of Truth
- Notes on Falsehood in the Age of Trump
- By: Michiko Kakutani
- Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
- Length: 3 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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We live in a time when the very idea of objective truth is mocked and discounted by the occupants of the White House. Discredited conspiracy theories and ideologies have resurfaced, proven science is once more up for debate, and Russian propaganda floods our screens. The wisdom of the crowd has usurped research and expertise, and we are each left clinging to the beliefs that best confirm our biases.
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Prescient Account of the Mechanics of Tyranny
- By Brian Price on 07-27-18
By: Michiko Kakutani
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The Post-American Presidency
- The Obama Administration's War on America
- By: Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer
- Narrated by: Mel Foster
- Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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Widely popular conservative blogger Pamela Geller and New York Times best-selling author Robert Spencer team up for this battle cry about the damage being done by the current administration's policies to the institution of the American presidency.
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The real truth behind the Obama administration
- By Joyce Blue on 04-10-16
By: Pamela Geller, and others
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The Shadow Party
- How George Soros, Hillary Clinton, and Sixties Radicals Seized Control of the Democratic Party
- By: David Horowitz, Richard Poe
- Narrated by: Gregg Rizzo
- Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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America is under attack. Its institutions and values are under daily assault. But the principal culprits are not foreign terrorists. They are influential and powerful Americans secretly stirring up disunion and disloyalty in the shifting shadows of the Democratic Party. Radical infiltrators have been quietly transforming America's societal, cultural, and political institutions for more than a generation. Now, backed by George Soros, they are ready to make their move.
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Best introduction to the Democrat party in 2019
- By Larry on 06-12-19
By: David Horowitz, and others
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Wages of Rebellion
- By: Chris Hedges
- Narrated by: David deVries
- Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Revolutions come in waves and cycles. We are again riding the crest of a revolutionary epic, much like 1848 or 1917, from the Arab Spring to movements against austerity in Greece to the Occupy movement. In Wages of Rebellion, Chris Hedges - who has chronicled the malaise and sickness of a society in terminal moral decline in his books Empire of Illusion and Death of the Liberal Class - investigates what social and psychological factors cause revolution, rebellion, and resistance.
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Excellent, important book
- By Eric L, Montreal on 09-06-15
By: Chris Hedges
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Gaslighting America
- Why We Love It When Trump Lies to Us
- By: Amanda Carpenter
- Narrated by: Kirsten Potter
- Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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"Can you believe what Donald Trump said?" In Gaslighting America, Amanda Carpenter breaks down Trump's formula, showing why it's practically foolproof, playing his victims, the media, the Democrats, and the Republican fence-sitters perfectly. She traces how this tactic started with Nixon, gained traction with Bill Clinton, and exploded under Trump. Where some people see lies, Trump's fierce followers see something different. A commitment to winning at all costs: There is nothing he could say that would erode their support at long as it's in the name of taking down his political enemies.
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Right Winger Whines False Equivalency
- By B. D on 05-03-18
By: Amanda Carpenter
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Game of Thorns
- The Inside Story of Hillary Clinton's Failed Campaign and Donald Trump's Winning Strategy
- By: Doug Wead
- Narrated by: Doug Wead
- Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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Here is the first insider account of the precipitous fall of Hillary Clinton. How the scandals of a lifetime finally reached critical mass. How, in the last few days of the campaign, some on her staff saw the ghostly shroud of defeat creeping over them but were helpless to act, frozen by the self-denial of the group.
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President Donald Trump stopped that Clinton Machine
- By Paulette on 03-05-17
By: Doug Wead
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The Greatest Story Ever Sold
- The Decline and Fall of Truth from 9/11 to Katrina
- By: Frank Rich
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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When America was attacked on 9/11, its citizens almost unanimously rallied behind its new, untested president as he went to war. What they didn't know at the time was that the Bush administration's highest priority was not to vanquish Al Qaeda, but to consolidate its own power at any cost. It was a mission that could be accomplished only by a propaganda presidency in which reality was steadily replaced by a scenario of the White House's own invention.
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Listen to the facts, forgive the edge
- By Steven on 11-23-06
By: Frank Rich
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935 Lies
- The Future of Truth and the Decline of America’s Moral Integrity
- By: Charles Lewis
- Narrated by: Don Lee
- Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Facts are and must be the coin of the realm in a democracy. Unfortunately, for citizens in the United States and throughout the world, distinguishing between fact and fiction - always a formidable challenge - is now more difficult than ever, as a constant stream of questionable information pours into media outlets. Lewis argues forcefully that while data points and factoids abound, it is much harder to get to the whole truth of complex issues in time for that truth to guide citizens, voters, and decision makers.
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This Is the Book We All Should Read
- By Chris Reich on 07-09-14
By: Charles Lewis
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What listeners say about They Knew
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Rossi
- 09-18-22
As beautiful as it is terrifying.
Sarah Kendzior is a fantastic writer. Her prose and the way she expresses her thought is majestic; the content she writes about will give you nightmares.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Nate R
- 11-04-22
Something important mixed with too much exaggeration
What the author is trying to say is important, but the format of how she tells the story is mixed with constant personal observations of how Covid felt to her, as well as seemingly boasting her predictive prowess.
For me it didn’t work because her Covid experience wasn’t anything like mine. (I’m not an anti-vaxer, and wore a mask throughout mind you) It just seemed here in the south east it wasn’t the end of the world like she experienced.
Anyway, the message is true and I wish it had been written in a better or alternate time line because what it says should be heard by as many people as possible.
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- tera burbank
- 10-03-22
Another incredible book
I love Kenzior’s journalism; it’s always incredibly in-depth. Her story-telling creates longing and contemplation. Her use of words not often used is appreciated. I appreciate all she sacrifices to bring us information and history that others would rather we not uncover.
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- Shanwan
- 10-15-22
Everyone should read
Sarah is a brave and necessary person in the history of the United States and I hope her amazing works will be recognized as such.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Tracy B. Harms
- 12-04-22
Vital reading
This combination of facts and ideas deserves detailed attention, especially by Americans. Kendzior sets an example for thinking about these troubling and difficult topics. Equally valuable regardless of how familiar one may be with this subject matter. Sprinkled with delightful phrasings, as well!
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- Lindsay
- 08-06-23
LOVE Sarah, this is hard to listen to
I can listen to Sarah rant on the fly all day on Gaslit Nation, she really knows her stuff. And I loved Hiding in Plain Sight on audible. But I am giving up on this audiobook halfway through. It’s slow, not all that interesting, and her voice is odd… like she’s trying to sound like a fairy or something lol. I’d rather listen to her impassioned and time constrained speech.
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- Wendy Anderson
- 07-30-23
Truth matters!
As hard as the truth is to bear sometimes, Sarah Kendzior tells it like it is. I appreciate that immensely in these days of “alternative facts.” One can’t fight to build a truly equal and democratic society without confronting and defending the truth, whether it be world plutocracy or America’s racist foundations. Thank you for being in the forefront of that truth Sarah - you are truly an inspiration. And you are a great narrator, as well!
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- Bree's Omi
- 09-26-22
Chilling
"They Knew" is as riveting as Sarah's other books, but also poetic. I'm glad that I was able to listen to it.
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- Joan E Robbins
- 09-20-22
A great book!
Sarah describes people/events and ties between them. Her thoughts on secrets, conspiracies, conspiracy theories, and the truth furthered my thinking greatly. Read this book.
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- Hillary Anzis Hostetler
- 12-14-22
Incredible book beautifully read by the author
Sarah Kenzior is a beautiful prose writer. Her use of language is often poetic and moving. Her love of country, even as she state’s uncomfortable truths, is as heartfelt and honest as her story is sometimes frightening. There is no false note in this book. Lots of info I never knew, well researched, and original. A brave look at us today.
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