Kansas City-Based Sociologist’s Book on Conspiracy Theories Earns National Recognition
Conspiracy Theories and Extremism in New Times, Edited by Dr. Christopher T. Conner, Recommended by CHOICE, a Publication of the American Library Association
Kansas City, MO — 4/22/2025
Conspiracy Theories and Extremism in New Times, edited by Dr. Christopher T. Conner and published by Bloomsbury Academic, has been officially recommended by CHOICE, a publication of the American Library Association. CHOICE is a trusted resource for academic librarians nationwide, guiding the development of essential scholarly collections in higher education.
This landmark volume features 17 original chapters written by leading experts, exploring conspiracy theories both real and imagined—from verified government cover-ups to myths about a faked moon landing or a lost city of Atlantis. The essays critically examine the political, psychological, and sociological underpinnings of conspiratorial belief in today’s digital world.
“Conspiracy Theories and Extremism in New Times is both an entertaining read, and essential resource for anyone interested in understanding conspiracism in all of its forms… I strongly recommend this collection to anyone with an interest in conspiracy theories.” — Joseph Uscinski, University of Miami
“The editors have assembled an enviable lineup of experts… These accomplished minds break down seemingly logic-defying conspiracy nonsense like QAnon and the Satanic Panic into their component parts and show exactly where they came from, why they work, and what makes them so dangerous.” — Mike Rothschild, author of Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories
“Drawing on the pioneering work of the Frankfurt School… this volume provides a comprehensive introduction to the way conspiracy theories function in the political and media landscape of present-day America.” — Peter Knight, University of Manchester
“Being based in Kansas City gives me a unique lens to explore how national political shifts intersect with everyday life in the Midwest,” said Dr. Conner. “This book brings together scholars from around the world to understand why conspiracy theories thrive—and what they reveal about our society.”
Christopher T. Conner is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, but is based in Kansas City, Missouri. For over 15 years, his research has focused on how digital life transforms human behavior, community, and belief systems. He is the author or editor of several books including The Electronic Dance Music Scene: From Deviant Subculture to Culture Industry, The Gayborhood: From Sexual Revolution to Cosmopolitan Spectacle, and Forgotten Founders and Other Neglected Social Theorists. He is also one of the top scholars studying LGBT+ life, including multiple publications on the Gay dating app Grindr.
He is currently at work on a new book about QAnon under contract with Bloomsbury Press and is preparing to launch a major study on cybercrime in Fall 2025. This new research will examine how romance scammers, fraudsters, and internet personalities exploit people’s insecurities—emotional, financial, and social—in order to manipulate and enrich themselves in an increasingly chaotic digital landscape.
To request a review copy, schedule an interview, or learn more, please contact Dr. Christopher T. Conner at Chris.Conner@missouri.edu or visit www.chrisconner.net.
Author: Christopher Conner
Christopher T. Conner is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, but is based in Kansas City, Missouri. For over 15 years, his research has focused on how digital life transforms human behavior, community, and belief systems. He is the author or editor of several books including The Electronic Dance Music Scene: From Deviant Subculture to Culture Industry, The Gayborhood: From Sexual Revolution to Cosmopolitan Spectacle, and Forgotten Founders and Other Neglected Social Theorists. He is also one of the top scholars studying LGBT+ life, including multiple publications on the Gay dating app Grindr.
