The term conspiracy theory conjures up a range of images in the public imagination. From complex political cover-ups to chemtrails to tinfoil hats, most people have some conception of what a conspiracy theory encompasses and who follows it. A simple Google search with the term ?conspiracy theories? produces over 14 million results, the first several of which provide lists of common held conspiracy theories from both mainstream and alternative press sources. Whatever one's opinions may be, clearly there is no denying the prevalence of the conspiracy theory in American society today.

 

So how much credence do conspiracy theories have? Some people will dismiss them as products of paranoid minds, while others regard the mainstream stories as fundamentally fraudulent. Where does the truth lie? Somewhere in between? It is hard to say, but a good place to dig for the truth has always been the public library. For an introduction to the idea of conspiracy theories and their place in the American consciousness, take a look at the following books:

 

 

Among the Truthers: A Journey Through America's Growing Conspiracist Underground by Jonathan Kay

 

Real Enemies: Conspiracy Theories and American Democracy, World War I to 9/11 by Kathryn S. Olmsted

 

 

For Nobody's Eyes Only: Missing Government Files and Hidden Archives that Document the Truth Behind the Most Enduring Conspiracy Theories by Nicholas Redfern

 

 

American Conspiracies: Lies, Lies, and More Dirty Lies that the Government Tells Us by Jesse Ventura

 

The United States of Paranoia: A Conspiracy Theory by Jesse Walker

 

63 Documents the Government Doesn't Want You to Read by Jesse Ventura

 

The Encyclopedia of Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories by Michael Newton

 

Conspiracy Theory in America by Lance DeHaven-Smith

 

Conspiracies and Secret Societies: The Complete Dossier by Brad Steiger

 

No discussion of conspiracy theories would be complete without including the September 11 attacks:

 

The 9/11 Mystery Plane and the Vanishing of America by Mark Gaffney

 

 

Debunking 9/11 Debunking: An Answer to Popular Mechanics and Other Defenders of the Official Conspiracy Theory by David Ray Griffin

 

 

And before 9/11, there was the Oklahoma City bombing:

 

Deathtrap, the Oklahoma City Bombing: Were Innocent People Used as Bait in a Sting Gone Sour? A Collection of Investigative Articles by J. D. Cash and others

 

Okbomb! Conspiracy and Cover-up by Jim Keith

 

And the tragedy of the Martin Luther King assassination remains unresolved for many people:

 

The MURKIN Conspiracy: An Investigation into the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Philip H. Melanson

 

An Act of State: The Execution of Martin Luther King by William Pepper

 

And did you know about?

 

 

 

The Occult Conspiracy: Secret Societies, Their Influence and Power in World History by Michael Howard

 

The United Nations Conspiracy to Destroy America by Michael Benson

 

The Secret Temple: Masons, Mysteries, and the Founding of America by Peter Levenda

 

With all of the material available, how do you discern between fact and fiction? We have some guidance for you in that regard as well:

 

50 Popular Beliefs that People Think are True by Guy P. Harrison

 

Bullspotting: Finding Facts in the Age of Misinformation by Loren Collins

 

 

Think: Why You Should Question Everything by Guy P. Harrison

 

So the next time you find yourself questioning a current or historical event, check out the material the library has to offer. Connect the dots, and perhaps you might stumble upon an intricate web of deceit just waiting to be exposed. Or maybe you will find enough information to support an official story. You never know until you do the research yourself.