Cults, Conspiracies, and Secret Societies: The Straight Scoop on Freemasons, The Illuminati, Skull and Bones, Black Helicopters, The New World Order, and many, many more - Softcover

"The kind of reference manual that the Internet cannot supplant . . . Goldwag keeps the facts straight and gives the rumors -- no matter how lurid and entertaining -- about as much respect as they deserve."--The Washington Post

"Marvelous."--Scientific American

"Arthur Goldwag is a shrewd, fair minded, learned and entertaining tour guide through a world that's simultaneously funny and frightening. Not a page goes by without some "I-didn't-know-that!" nugget. Given what's going on this ever-more-paranoid society, a book like this becomes not only titillating but crucially important."--Steven Waldman, Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of Beliefnet.com

"The answer to your burning questions about subjects from Area 51 to the Yakuza."--Details

"Delightful." -The Weekly Standard

"Goldwag is a colorful writer who makes good use of his material as he aims to explain, rather than debunk or expose, a fascinating diversity of beliefs."--Boston Globe

"The author's delivery is engaging and entertaining. The amount of research done in this book is astounding. . . . An incredibly insightful, thoroughly enjoyable look at society's shadow."--Armchair Interviews

"Goldwag navigates his way through the wilder reaches of human belief with great urbanity."
--Mark Booth, author of The Secret History of the World: As Laid Down by the Secret Societies

"As entertainingly written as it is enlightening."
--Phillip Lopate

A cross-referenced guide to society's clandestine groups and covert organizations includes information on such examples as Area 51, JFK assassination conspiracy theorist groups, and the 9/11 Truth Movement while offering insight into why such groups have garnered large-scale support and participation. Original.