In UFOs, JFK and Elvis known standup comedian Richard Belzer digs into some of the most popular conspiracy theories that have popped up over the last decade. Before reading on though, keep in mind that this isn’t an attempt to provide a single right answer to them, but rather, an attempt to get you to question authority, especially when it comes to “official stories”.
Belzer looks into theories surrounding events such as the death of Elvis, the assassination of JFK, the mystery surrounding Area 51, the Roswell Crash, the discoveries the astronauts made on the moon, evidence of extraterrestrial visits, and of course, the link between Nazis and the United States Space program.
While Belzer spends most of the book making jokes and comical suggestions, which are, by the way, funny as hell, the fact remains that he provides some solid information and interesting interpretations. He doesn’t draw ridiculous conclusions from tiny facts, but rather, Belzer uses common sense and known facts to state his cases, as he does when demonstrating that Oswald couldn’t have assassinated Kennedy alone for example.
While Belzer spends most of the book making jokes and comical suggestions, which are, by the way, funny as hell, the fact remains that he provides some solid information and interesting interpretations. He doesn’t draw ridiculous conclusions from tiny facts, but rather, Belzer uses common sense and known facts to state his cases, as he does when demonstrating that Oswald couldn’t have assassinated Kennedy alone for example.
More than anything though, this book is a wake-up call aimed at what Belzer describes as people who “find it easier—and certainly more comforting—to believe that America is the only country on earth with no conspiracies at all.” In other words, it’s aimed at the people who always automatically dismiss conspiracy theories and have blind faith in their government, thinking it to be something holy and special.
Apart from nearly making my sides burst from laughing, Belzer also managed to get across a very important most of us know about and yet always forget: use your critical thinking, carefully pick who to trust, make your own observations, deductions and conclusions.
All in all, if conspiracy theories interest you, or if you abhor them then I definitely recommend you check out UFOs, JFK, and Elvis; regardless of which side of the fence you are on, you’ll at the very least find plenty to laugh at, and who knows, it may lead you to make some theories of your own.
 | Richard BelzerPersonal site Born at the end of WWII back in 1944, Richard Belzer is a renowned author and comedian who has done his fair share of work for the silver screen, stage and radio. In addition, he even found the time to crank out some peculiar books (to say the least), and they include beloved titles such as UFOs, JFK , and Elvis and I Am Not a Psychic!. |
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