BuzzFlash readers love conspiracy books, because -- I think -- we are skeptical about official pronouncements, "commissions," and "investigations."

So the last conspiracy book we offered -- The Mammoth Book of Cover-Ups: The 100 Most Terrifying Conspiracies of All Time -- sold a few hundred copies. And there's strong interest in our recently posted "Conspiracy Theory"(DVD) with Julia Roberts.

Given that Seymour Hirsh has revealed that an assassination squad reported directly to Dick Cheney, some Americans might start becoming more interested in conspiracy theories, although they remain theories because they can't be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, however much they appear to be true.

That's what fascinates all of us about the realm of conspiracy speculation. It's like feeling that you know who the murderer of a person is, even if no one has found the body.

Of course, some conspiracy theories are more tenuous than others. Some are just plain weird. But more than a few are more credible than "official" explanations that we have been offered.

Of "Conspiracies and Secret Societies," the Library Journal writes:

This is a captivating look at a topic that fascinates many.

Name a conspiracy theory that has made its way into the popular mass media, and it is most likely included in this informative and entertaining encyclopedia, which provides an introduction for anyone looking for "the basics" about any of the well-known and even lesser-known theories. Included among the nearly 200 alphabetically arranged entries are Diana, Princess of Wales; Internet--a tool of the new world order; Knights Templar; Raelians; and Roswell, New Mexico, UFO crash. Entries range from short paragraphs to several pages in length, and sources are listed. The writing style is elementary without being condescending. The authors state that they are "reporting without bias." This does appear to be the case, based on reading random entries on a wide variety of subjects.

****

An online reviewer writes:

Brad and Sherry have hit one out of the ball park with this one! This book is so devilishly fun to flip through, it's hard to put down (since receiving it Wednesday, I've spent the past few days with little sleep). No matter if you are a serious researcher or just like conspiracies for the fun of it, this book is an essential for your collection. It does not matter on which side of the political fence you reside; this book goes directly down the center of the fence, displaying both democratic and republican based conspiracies. This book portrays each entry in an entirely fair matter, basing each entry on the given facts, and never without injected personal commentary favorable to either side.