I picked up this book because I'd been a fan of Monte Cook's game design products for years, and was curious what his "other" stuff was like.
The "other" stuff in this case was "The Skeptic's Guide to Conspiracies". It's a humorous overview of various popular conspiracy theories (the Templars, the JFK assassination, the "faked" moon landing, and many others). The book has two threads in its authorship: the first is a tongue-in-cheek, "these guys are kooks" sort of description; the second is "hand written" margin notes by a "prior reader" who has dived headlong into believing the conspiracy stories, and is convinced "they" are out to get him. It's a fun technique for a while, but gets a little old by the end.
Really, this is the kind of book you buy as a gift and give to somebody else. It's not the greatest coffee-table book (it's not illustrated), but it works well in a spot where you have quick reading episodes (like next to the toilet...).
In the final analysis, it's sort of okay, but not really spectacular. 2.5 of 5 stars.
The "other" stuff in this case was "The Skeptic's Guide to Conspiracies". It's a humorous overview of various popular conspiracy theories (the Templars, the JFK assassination, the "faked" moon landing, and many others). The book has two threads in its authorship: the first is a tongue-in-cheek, "these guys are kooks" sort of description; the second is "hand written" margin notes by a "prior reader" who has dived headlong into believing the conspiracy stories, and is convinced "they" are out to get him. It's a fun technique for a while, but gets a little old by the end.
Really, this is the kind of book you buy as a gift and give to somebody else. It's not the greatest coffee-table book (it's not illustrated), but it works well in a spot where you have quick reading episodes (like next to the toilet...).
In the final analysis, it's sort of okay, but not really spectacular. 2.5 of 5 stars.
