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the Rise of Hoaxes, Humbug, Plagiarists, Phonies, Post-facts, and Fake News
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Apr 06, 2018lukasevansherman rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
"Black bodies, especially male ones, get viewed as weapons-they are not allowed self-defense as society is not quite sure they have a self to defend." New Yorker poetry editor and poet Kevin Young's book is an ambitious, provocative, wide-ranging (and long) exploration of the idea of hoaxes in American history, politics, pop culture, and literature. It was perhaps perfectly suited for this moment of post-truth, fake news, and alternative facts. There are familiar figures like P.T. Barnum, James Frey, Orson Welles, JT LeRoy, and, of course, Donald Trump. What is maybe his most compelling and controversial idea is that race itself is something of a hoax, often exploited by whites. I disagree with the commentator who finds this too "narrow" of a focus, especially given what a huge part race plays in our history and culture. I read this shortly after Kurt Andersen's "Fantasyland" and they have some similarities, but this is by far the more engaging and intelligent book.