
Voodoo Histories
The Role of the Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.00 for first 30 days
Buy for $18.91
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
James Langton
Our age is obsessed by the idea of conspiracy. We see it everywhere---from Pearl Harbor to 9/11, from the assassination of Kennedy to the death of Diana. In this age of terrorism we live in, the role of conspiracy is a serious one---one that can fuel radical or fringe elements to violence. For award-winning journalist David Aaronovitch, there came a time when he started to see a pattern among these inflammatory theories.
He found that these theories used similarly murky methods with which to insinuate their claims: they linked themselves to the supposed conspiracies of the past ("it happened then so it can happen now"); they carefully manipulated their evidence to hide its holes; and they relied on the authority of dubious academic sources. Most important, they elevated their believers to membership of an elite---a group of people able to see beyond lies to a higher reality. But why believe something that entails stretching the bounds of probability so far? Surely it is more likely that men did actually land on the moon in 1969 than that thousands of people were enlisted to fabricate an elaborate hoax.
In this entertaining and enlightening book---aimed at providing ammunition for those who have found themselves at the wrong end of a conversation about moon landings or the twin towers---Aaronovitch carefully probes and explodes a dozen of the major conspiracy theories. In doing so, he examines why people believe them and makes an argument for a true skepticism---one based on a thorough knowledge of history and a strong dose of common sense.
©2009 David Aaronovitch (P)2010 TantorListeners also enjoyed...




















What did you love best about Voodoo Histories?
I enjoyed the author's use of sarcasm and humor in telling the stories. This book is about the people that believe in conspiracies as much as it is about the actual conspiracies. Aaronovitch's derisive comments about those individuals were often quite funny and always well deserved.What did you like best about this story?
The author's style of presenting the conspiracies was excellent. Aaronovitch would begin each example by telling the original story the way that the public would have experienced it. He would then detail the conspiracy theory or theories that arose following the incident. And then he would give us all of the details and evidence that disproves the conspiracy theories. This actually added an element of suspense to the book.Have you listened to any of James Langton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
This was the first time I had listened to James Langton but I enjoyed it. I usually enjoy a narrator with a British accent, and in this case it fit perfectly. The story often contained a sarcastic tone and Langton's style and voice really conveyed that well.If you could give Voodoo Histories a new subtitle, what would it be?
I think the subtitle is okay. I'm not sure I can think of a better one at this point.Any additional comments?
The only problem I had was with conspiracy theories and theorists, not the author's story or the narrator's performance. I just found myself feeling frustrated at times while listening to the book, realizing that the conspiracy theorists will never accept the truth, no matter how many books like this are written. Not only would the world be a better place without people spreading absurd conspiracy theories, it's also very annoying to see a dogmatic individual have their argument completely obliterated but still refuse to admit defeat.Blunt, Humorous, and Thorough Debunking of Myths
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Conspiracy Debunking
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Dreadful fake accents
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
If you could sum up Voodoo Histories in three words, what would they be?
I'm glad to see that someone is calling out the cacophony of conspiracies that have been swirling around in the past twenty years for what they are, nonsense. I will say though that while I love listening to British narrators, I can't stand listening to them do American accents. It's disconcerting. Unless you are a talent voice ACTOR, please don't resort to accents to distinguish quoted passages.Great Topic
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Review
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
My main disappointment was that the material just wasn't that interesting, I'm sad to say. Some of the conspiracies were more interesting than others. Perhaps an abridged reading would have held my interest longer.
This book might be better to read than to listen to. Reading would avoid the distracting foreign accents, plus a reader can skim and scan when there's more detail than holds the interest.
Disappointing
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Another debunker of conspiracy theories
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Potential never came to fruition
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I actually quit listening not long after the author referred to "Admirals Kimmel and Short" being in command at Pearl Harbor. If he didn’t even know that Short was a General, his credibility is non-existent.
Superficial, lacks credibility
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I was very disappointed in this book.
surface research only
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.