The CIA makes Science Fiction Unexciting
Series edited by Joe Biel
Microcosm Publishing
18cm x 11cm, 160 pages
Cost: offered as part of Microcosm Publishing sliding scale pricing $7.95-$11.95 USD
Microcosm Publishing excels in producing a diverse array of zines, and perhaps more importantly also produces compilation publications that collate together and reprint series of zines that would otherwise be unobtainable.
The CIA makes Science Fiction Unexciting is an updated compilation of the first 5 zines in the series, which were originally written ten years ago. Subtitled 'Dark Deeds & Derring Do from 1950 to Today', it examines the secret history of the CIA and the shadowy world of American politics. Looking at the USA today, its a publication that has never been more relevant.
Broken down into chapters that concentrate on separate events or topics: The assassination on Martin Luther King Jr; AIDS & biological weapons; how the PATRIOT act infringed upon basic American rights; the assassination of Puerto Rican independence leader Filiberto Ojeda Rios; and the reality behind Iran-Contra.
While some of these topics are certainly in the area of conspiracy theory, we are living in a time where political conspiracy is revealed on a daily basis. Nothing in this publication is beyond the scope of a government with global power and the wealth of the 1% as its key motivators.
The content is extremely well written, leading the reader through the relevant terms and key players, building compelling arguments with thorough research, incontrovertible facts and data, examining and eliminating secondary sources where necessary. If you want to dig deeper each chapter has its own list of further reading and references.
While incidental to the text, it's stylishly designed and illustrated, and just goes to prove Microcosm's attention to detail.
The CIA makes Science Fiction Unexciting is a book that will fit in your pocket. Buy it, carry it with you - and if you ever disbelieve the way the US is heading, have a look at where it's been.
While incidental to the text, it's stylishly designed and illustrated, and just goes to prove Microcosm's attention to detail.
The CIA makes Science Fiction Unexciting is a book that will fit in your pocket. Buy it, carry it with you - and if you ever disbelieve the way the US is heading, have a look at where it's been.
Buy your copy here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3903
Review by Nathan Penlington
