George Lundskow is professor of sociology at Grand Valley State University.Sarah Louise MacMillen is associate professor of sociology at Duquesne University.

Lundskow and MacMillen have have written a timely and provocative book about the dangers of QAnon and other extremist conspiracy theories circulating in contemporary American society. In recent decades, the US has undergone vast social and economic changes. It is becoming less white demographically, and opportunities are becoming more equal. Many middle-class white Americans, particularly males, view these changes as a loss of status and privilege for themselves. In their resulting anger, some of them turn to conspiracy theories like the great replacement to explain their plight. QAnon functions for them as a pseudo-religion to explain their grievances, but it offers no real plan to fix things other than nihilist violence to tear down the existing system. Supporters exhibit either right-wing authoritarian impulses or a social dominance orientation governed by hate and fear. This book is well researched and draws from recent social science scholarship. The authors advocate for combating extremism by promoting the true religious values of tolerance, inclusiveness, and love. They may face some politically correct criticism for using the terms conspiracy and cult with negative connotations. Still, based on the evidence, it is hard to reject their conclusions. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty.

• ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsChapter 1. Social Progress and Reactionary FictionChapter 2. Of Truth and BullshitChapter 3. The Social Psychology of ConspiraciesChapter 4. QAnon—The Perfect ConspiracyChapter 5. Threats to Democracy and Hope for the FutureReferencesAbout the Authors

George Lundskow is professor of sociology at Grand Valley State University.Sarah Louise MacMillen is associate professor of sociology at Duquesne University.

Lundskow and MacMillen have have written a timely and provocative book about the dangers of QAnon and other extremist conspiracy theories circulating in contemporary American society. In recent decades, the US has undergone vast social and economic changes. It is becoming less white demographically, and opportunities are becoming more equal. Many middle-class white Americans, particularly males, view these changes as a loss of status and privilege for themselves. In their resulting anger, some of them turn to conspiracy theories like the great replacement to explain their plight. QAnon functions for them as a pseudo-religion to explain their grievances, but it offers no real plan to fix things other than nihilist violence to tear down the existing system. Supporters exhibit either right-wing authoritarian impulses or a social dominance orientation governed by hate and fear. This book is well researched and draws from recent social science scholarship. The authors advocate for combating extremism by promoting the true religious values of tolerance, inclusiveness, and love. They may face some politically correct criticism for using the terms conspiracy and cult with negative connotations. Still, based on the evidence, it is hard to reject their conclusions. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty.

• ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsChapter 1. Social Progress and Reactionary FictionChapter 2. Of Truth and BullshitChapter 3. The Social Psychology of ConspiraciesChapter 4. QAnon—The Perfect ConspiracyChapter 5. Threats to Democracy and Hope for the FutureReferencesAbout the Authors

George Lundskow is professor of sociology at Grand Valley State University.Sarah Louise MacMillen is associate professor of sociology at Duquesne University.

Lundskow and MacMillen have have written a timely and provocative book about the dangers of QAnon and other extremist conspiracy theories circulating in contemporary American society. In recent decades, the US has undergone vast social and economic changes. It is becoming less white demographically, and opportunities are becoming more equal. Many middle-class white Americans, particularly males, view these changes as a loss of status and privilege for themselves. In their resulting anger, some of them turn to conspiracy theories like the great replacement to explain their plight. QAnon functions for them as a pseudo-religion to explain their grievances, but it offers no real plan to fix things other than nihilist violence to tear down the existing system. Supporters exhibit either right-wing authoritarian impulses or a social dominance orientation governed by hate and fear. This book is well researched and draws from recent social science scholarship. The authors advocate for combating extremism by promoting the true religious values of tolerance, inclusiveness, and love. They may face some politically correct criticism for using the terms conspiracy and cult with negative connotations. Still, based on the evidence, it is hard to reject their conclusions. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty.

• ContentsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsChapter 1. Social Progress and Reactionary FictionChapter 2. Of Truth and BullshitChapter 3. The Social Psychology of ConspiraciesChapter 4. QAnon—The Perfect ConspiracyChapter 5. Threats to Democracy and Hope for the FutureReferencesAbout the Authors