The Great Derangement (Taibbi book)
| Company type | Nonfiction book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | May 6, 2008 |
| Founder | Matt Taibbi |
| Products | Book |
| Parent | Spiegel & Grau |
The Great Derangement: A Terrifying True Story of War, Politics, and Religion at the Twilight of the American Empire is a nonfiction work authored by Matt Taibbi, released by Spiegel & Grau on May 6, 2008.
Summary
In this book, Taibbi chronicles his journeys leading up to the 2008 United States presidential election, which include visits to Iraq, sessions within the United States Congress, attendance at a 9/11 Truth movement gathering, and an undercover experience as a born-again Christian at John Hagee's Cornerstone Church in Texas.
He explores conspiracy theories surrounding 9/11, interpreting them as manifestations of what he terms the "derangement" afflicting American society—a detachment from reality driven by widespread disenchantment with the political establishment. Taibbi draws comparisons to the charismatic movement, suggesting both are preoccupied with "irrational, fanciful, and imagined" fears rather than confronting substantive problems. Although critical, he differentiates these theories from the "Clinton-era black-helicopter paranoia," emphasizing that they extend beyond "a small, scattered group of nutcases... they really were, just as they claim to be, almost everyone you meet."
During an interview with Slate, Taibbi elaborated on the significance of the book’s title:
Promotion
To promote his work, Taibbi appeared on The Daily Show on May 27, 2008, where he discussed his involvement with John Hagee's church and participation in a 9/11 conspiracy group.
Reception
Kirkus Reviews recognized Taibbi’s critique reminiscent of Hunter S. Thompson’s style targeting American complacency but noted that the book occasionally lacked structural unity.
Publishers Weekly emphasized its cross-political appeal and commended its exposure of hypocrisy and pretense.
Steve Appleford from the Los Angeles Times characterized the book as an engaging and often witty examination of American irrationality and corruption, propelled by Taibbi’s unique brand of paranoia.