Scott A. Shay, was one of the founders of the Signature Bank in 2001. He is the author of two successful books,’ In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism,’ which won a finalists award from National Jewish Books, and ‘Getting Our Grove Back: How to Energize American Jewry.’ He is a successful businessman who is happy to give talks, and be interviewed, on radio, TV, and podcasts.
As soon as you start reading this exposé, you can tell it is written from the heart. The author himself admits it was difficult to write. Originally an article to commemorate his father’s liberation from the Nazi concentration camp Dachau, the paper quickly grew until he realised that it must become a book. During the horrendous atrocities of the holocaust, Scott A. Shay lost his grandfather, aunts, uncles, and many other relatives to the Nazi murders, knowing this makes it is easy to understand the passion in his writing.
He begins the book by expanding his readers understanding of the definition, and history, of conspiracy theories. He explains how by allowing conspiracy theories and extremist propaganda, the Golden Rule of his beloved alma mater (Northwestern,) and society, which requires individuals or groups to be treated equally as human beings, and also for accusation to be investigated thoroughly, has been undermined. Whilst studying there he was targeted with Nazi propaganda, and to his dismay then learned that this was something the university were unwilling to do anything about. He then discovered that conspiracy theories abound, and what’s more, the writings on Zionists, by esteemed scholars, experts in their respective fields, Arthur Butz and Steven Thrasher, were also indicative of conspiracy theories. They described Zionism as “a malignant conspiracy intended to harm other peoples through the use of covert, dishonest, manipulative, and/or violent means.” Whereas in reality “Zionism is simply the expression of the Jewish people’s right to national self-determination in their ancestral homeland, the right to their own state.” Yet the Jewish people have fought and been persecuted throughout history in their attempt to attain it.
The depth of research which has gone into this book is astounding. The author really gives the non-Jewish reader an insight into the battles the Jewish people have endured over the centuries, and the strength of their religious belief to sustain their faith against adversity. I found this book extremely thought-provoking, and my eyes were truly opened to the politics of the far-right and far-left in their anti-Jewish, anti-Semitic, and anti-Zionist conspiracy theories. However, in reading this book, I also fully comprehend the complete depth of harm conspiracy theories can cause in all aspects of society.
This book is written on a very personal level. The author references Northwestern University, and its scholars because it is his alma mater. There is no doubt that Northwestern University influenced him in many positive ways, inspiring him to become a lifelong learner, and his graduate studies there furnished him with the skills to compete in the banking and investment world. This heartfelt, and well researched book makes fascinating and enlightening reading. Highly recommended.
About the Book:
Conspiracy U exposes how conspiracy theories drawn from far-right and far-left ideologies masquerade as scholarship at many universities, endangering our norms and conceptions of morality and truth.
In Conspiracy U, Shay presents a case study of his alma mater, Northwestern University, in order to challenge the proliferation of anti-Zionist conspiracy theories championed on college campuses by both the far right and far left.
Shay tackles the thorny question of how otherwise brilliant minds willingly come to embrace and espouse such patent falsehoods. He explains why Zionism, the movement for Jewish national self-determination, has become the focal point for both far-right and far-left conspiracy theories. His keen analysis reveals why Jews serve as the canary in the coal mine.
Conspiracy U delivers an urgent wake-up call for everyone who cares about the future of civil society and is concerned that universities today are failing at teaching students how to strive for truth but rather guiding students to blindly trust theories driven by ideology. The book provides a roadmap for reform based on universal moral and intellectual standards and offers a way out of the culture wars that are ripping America apart.
Available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Conspiracy-U-Study-Scott-Shay-ebook/dp/B09DTLMXML/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1PHXQEX3KCRM3&dchild=1&keywords=conspiracy+u+scott+shay&qid=1633771488&sprefix=conspiracy+u%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-1
