The history of America is inseparable from the influence of various fantasies and their believers, including (but not limited to) religious followings, Disney fanatics, gold seekers, conspiracy theorists, and science denialists of all sorts.
Fantasyland is an in-depth history of American fantasies and how they have shaped our culture and public discourse. The topics include:
- Americanized Religion
- The Gold Rush
- The Puritans
- Satanic Panic
- Early American Anti-Science
- Joe Smith & Mormonism
- Magical Healing
- Conspiracy Theories
- Industrialized Fantasy
- Show Business & Fantasy Entertainment
- Utopian Suburbs
- Spiritualism
- Alternative (baseless) Medicine
- 1980s Satanic Cults – (we seem to have forgotten all about this?!)
- X-Files
- GOP Embracing Fantasy
- GMOs
- Guns
Andersen’s writing style is entertaining and captivating. He weaves relevant case studies and his apt historical knowledge into a compelling suggestion that we were always headed in this direction.
