<p><b>FINALIST FOR <i>THE LOS ANGELES TIMES </i>BOOK PRIZE <br><br>¿Every sentence delivered. The pathos of truth-seeking left me thinking of Herman Melville."<br>¿Timothy Snyder, #1 <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>On Tyranny</i><br></b><br><b><i>NEW YORK TIMES</i> BESTSELLING author Sarah Kendzior delves into the difference between conspiracy and conspiracy theory, "deftly separat[ing] fact from fiction in a conspiracy-addled nation" (VANITY FAIR).<br></b><br>Conspiracy theories are on the rise because officials refuse to enforce accountability for real conspiracies. Uncritical faith in broken institutions is as dangerous as false narratives peddled by propagandists.<br><br>The truth may hurt¿but the lies will kill us.<br><br><i>They Knew</i> discusses conspiracy culture in a rapidly declining United States struggling with corruption, climate change, and other crises. As the actions of the powerful remain shrouded in mystery¿¿From Norman Baker to Jeffrey Epstein, Iran-C