David Noack
2/1/2012
Professor Harris
Pipes, Daniel. Conspiracy. New York: The Free Press, 1997.
In Conspiracy Daniel Pipes takes a close look at conspiracies as they exist now and as
they have existed throughout history. Pipes clearly states in his opening that this is not intended
to be a research study, rather, it is an interpretive piece. This means that this book is filled not
quite as much with scholarly work, so much as it is his own opinion on the topic. Pipes begins
by taking a look at what conspiracy theories really are and who the main groups of people are
that are affected by these conspiracy theories. Pipes asserts that conspiracy theories are
everywhere and that nearly any major event in history is likely to have a conspiracy theory
associated with it, no matter how far-fetched these conspiracy theories may be. Pipes also shows
us many characters throughout the book that have had a significant role in conspiracy theories,
from Hitler to Louis Farrakhan, all of these people have had similarly seemingly ridiculous
conspiracy theories.
Overall, this is a well-written book that is, for the most part, easy to follow and is
entertaining to read. Throughout the book, Pipes throws in sarcastic or whitty comments to show
his true opinion on many of the subjects that he is discussing. He does this primarily because, as
he says in his introduction, this is an interpretive piece, and not intended as a research study.
Therefore, the book does not take on as much of a scholarly tone as one would find in many
other books on the same topic. While this may turn off some people who want an ultra-scholarly
piece of literature, the style that he writes in makes the book a more interesting read and overall
improves the readers experience. Pipes provides an interesting look back all the way to the
Crusades and provides readers with solid arguments about the beginnings of conspiracy with the
Knights Templar and continues all the way up until present day, presenting the reader with a full
history of conspiracies, and conspiracy theories. Pipes also breaks down the difference between
conspiracy and conspiracy theory, asserting that these are two separate entities and providing
argument for their difference as being a serious issue, and being something completely trivial
and not to be taken very seriously. One major thing that stands out in his work, however, and is
so repetitive to the point of being distracting is Pipes’ stance that somehow Jewish people have
played into every conspiracy that has ever happened in the history of mankind. One cannot
possibly fathom how this is possible but Pipes finds a way to relate them to some kind of
conspiracy in nearly every single chapter and while it may be true that they have been
implemented in numerous conspiracies throughout history, it is also true that there have been
numerous other groups involved in these and not just this one group. Even though Pipes tends to
argue when bringing up the Jewish people that the conspiracy theory is absurd, every single one
seems to relate back to them in some way shape or form making the reader almost want to skip
entire chapters so that they may read about something else. Despite this though, Pipes has
provided a good book that would be beneficial to any scholar or layperson to pick up and read.
With his detailed history of conspiracy theories and of conspiracies, and his opinions on them,
his work would easily fuel classroom discussions and casual discussions among scholars or
conspiracy theory enthusiasts alike. This is why Conspiracy should have a good place in the
historiography of works on conspiracies.