Voodoo Histories

The Role of the Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History

By: David Aaronovitch

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 Tantor

Blunt, Humorous, and Thorough Debunking of Myths

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.

Another debunker of conspiracy theories

If you enjoy the fun of following a good conspiracy theory, this book is not for you. This book debunks famous and not so famous theories and sometimes the author explains why we would rather believe them than the truth. If I had the paper copy, then I could see the author's research. Some theories probably deserve debunking, but others are set firmly in their believers's imagination. The theories that received the most attention are the ones that seem to have made a fortune for their authors. Despite possible sour grapes, the book is entertaining. The reader's voice has a nice natural lilt and I wish he wouldn't try other accents. Overall, the book has not shaken my faith in my own beliefs. His application of humor keeps me from being insulted personally.

Conspiracy Debunking

Incisive conspiracy theory debunking from a left-wing perspective. Some of the content is targeted more toward the British public than the American public. The author tries a little too hard to make victims out of the Clintons.

Dreadful fake accents

I hardly know what to say about the book itself - I couldn't get past the awful fake accents the reader used. I truely LOATHED them!

Great Topic

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.

Review

well written and informative. Delves into conspiracy theories with knowledge and understanding. A good book.

Disappointing

The first negative thing about this audiobook is obvious immediately. The narrator feels the need to mimic foreign accents. His is a mild, pleasant British accent. But when quoting Germans, French, Americans, etc. he tries to use the corresponding accent, which is distracting. (And when I, an American, here British people trying an American accent, it's laughable). Anyway, having different voices/accents is helpful for fiction, but for nonfiction the narrator would be better just reading in his own voice.

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.

Potential never came to fruition

I love the premise of the book, but it delves too deeply into some conspiracy theories that are not relevant to Americans. Some of them came across as Dull and I would have loved to have seen or heard the authors intro and conclusion in which The author shared the deep roots in where conspiracies originate. Overall, I did take away some valuable insights, but all in all, I am disappointed

Superficial, lacks credibility

I was very disappointed in this book. The "conspiracies" are only covered in a very superficial way, with very little discussion of evidence either for or against them.

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.

Disinfo 101

Voodoo histories is fascinating example of omission, half truths and how one can bury the truth by ignoring indisputable facts and attacking straw men that are irrelevant to the actual events.

Conspiracy Theorist is a newspeak term. Wave a wand and dub someone a "Conspiracy Theorist" and poof. You've launched an Orwellian, ad-homenim, word spell. The "Conspiracy Theorist" is guilty of blasphemous crimethink. Empirical evidence etc. etc. that's unimportant these days.There will be no debate of arcane and unimportant facts, facts are secondary to protecting the morality of thought. We must never think the unthinkable.

When the US government kills it's people, it's leaders etc. We have a conspiracy. It is the unthinkable. When the government kills brown skinned foreigners, this is not a conspiracy. This is history. The CIA reeks murder through a conspiracy of covert ops toppling governments for "national interest." No one disputes this. Conspiracy theory's really only apply, when the puppet masters smell a threat of an internal resistance by the awaking of dangerous knowledge.So their shills from the media thoughtpolice pick up their banjos and sing songs of warning to the ignorant. The song is a propaganda hit piece that labels the truth seekers as unpatriotic lunatics. Thus they protect the media groupthink and the public from subversive ideas.


Aaronovitch is just such a banjo player and this book is his nonsensical ballad of lies. He is one of Rupert Murdochs paid conservative shills and the book is like any Fox News production. You would be advised to get the review of this book from the Black Op Radio podcast archives. Please don't waste your money on this pitiful collection of lies, unless you are a researcher who is studying Orwellian techniques on truth obfuscation.