Illuminati: The History of a Conspiracy Theory

'A superb and often surprising account . . . by turns enlightening, unsettling and amusing' Telegraph*****
'Terrifically entertaining' Economist
‘A dazzling jewel of a book’ Sathnam Sanghera

On 1 May 1776 a radical young professor named Adam Weishaupt founded a secret society with the aim of infiltrating and overturning the system of world power. Many influential figures joined, united by scandalously liberal ideals, elaborate ciphers, and melodramatic rituals. They called themselves the Order of the Illuminati.

Within a decade, they were gone – outed and banned by the authorities, their leaders prosecuted and exiled, their project a dismal failure. Yet millions of people maintain the Illuminati lives on, manipulating world events from 9/11 to the Covid pandemic and the career of Taylor Swift.

Illuminati is the gripping story of the Order’s rise, fall, and enduring legacy: the idea that the Order’s collapse was a sham and its hold on power complete. First a means of explaining the shocking violence of the French Revolution, historian Michael Taylor reveals the ways in which people have reinvented this conspiracy time and again at moments of spectacular change, fear and perceived betrayal – exposing the power of conspiracist thinking as never before.

Praise for Michael Taylor’s previous books:

‘One of the pleasures of teaching modern historians is that they go on to write great books like this’ MARY BEARD

‘As thrilling as it is sweeping, populated by a brilliantly drawn cast of characters’ TOM HOLLAND

‘An astonishing book’ PETER FRANKOPAN

‘Impressively researched and engagingly written’ DOMINIC SANDBROOK

‘Outstanding ... gripping ... essential reading’ SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE