UFOs, JFK, and Elvis: Conspiracies You Don't Have to Be Crazy to Believe

The quality of The Belz's book depends mostly on how you approach it: as a theory-and-evidence book on conspiracies and cover-ups, or as a humour piece.

As an academic book, it has major failings. You have to take Belzer's word, or the word of several references of unknown credibility, on a lot of things.

The humour aspect saves it somewhat, as long as you like Belzer's snark. Being familiar with his stand-up definitely helps, as you'd have a better idea of his tone during his rants.

Also, lest the title lead you astray, there is nothing about Elvis.

This is not my normal reading fare, but I picked it up as part of a Dewey Decimal Reading Challenge (000s). So far, I'm finding it to be an entertaining look at conspiracy theories around the JFK assassination. I saw Oliver Stone's JFK movie so long ago (& don't remember many specific details about it), but this book somehow reminds me of the Stone movie....

Update: I finished the book & found it somewhat funny & entertaining. The JFK conspiracy stuff was mostly nothing new to me; I'm not as familiar with the various alien theories out there, so some of that info was new to me. Belzer covers various conspiracy theories, makes plenty of cynical/snide/funny interjections, & includes a bibliography of his source materials. Relatively fun if show more you're looking for a quick, easy overview of JFK & alien conspiracy info. (Isn't that kind of thing on everyone's reading list? LOL.)

P.S. I'm giving it two stars because, while it was fun & easy to read, it's not like it's high literature or anything. Hope the aliens don't abduct me or the Men in Black show up at my door for saying so.... show less

OK, this is humor not investigation. But SVU Munch fans will enjoy this funny and also though provoking book. All three pieces are a laugh and a half.

I am rating it as 2.5 judging this zany conspiracy smorgasborg as entertainment. I think this may be the work imagined as "Conspiracy A-Go-Go" in the movie Slacker...

As investigative journalism, I'd have to give it a 0.5

As much as I believe in certain conspiracy theories myself, this was not a particularly spectacular research book.

Funny as heck though.

Possibly one of the funniest books I have ever read. If you happen to be a fan of his character, John Munch on Law and Order: SVU please give this book a read.

Some interesting point made in reference to the Kennedy assassination. Otherwise too over the top for me.