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The Conspiracy against the Human Race: A Contrivance of Horror Paperback – April 30, 2011

by Thomas Ligotti (Author), Ray Brassier (Foreword)

110 customer reviews

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2010 Bram Stoker Award Nominee for Superior Achievement in Nonfiction. The Conspiracy against the Human Race is renowned horror writer Thomas Ligotti's first work of nonfiction. Through impressively wide-ranging discussions of and reflections on literary and philosophical works of a pessimistic bent, he shows that the greatest horrors are not the products of our imagination. The worst and most plentiful horrors are instead to be found in reality. Mr. Ligotti's calm, but often bloodcurdling turns of phrase, evoke the dreadfulness of the human condition. Those who cannot bear the truth will pretend this is another work of fiction, but in doing so they perpetuate the conspiracy of the book's title. --David Benatar, author of Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence;Department of Philosophy, University of Cape Town, South Africa

The Conspiracy against the Human Race: A Contrivance of Horror

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The Conspiracy against the Human Race is renowned horror writer Thomas Ligotti s first work of nonfiction. Through impressively wide-ranging discussions of and reflections on literary and philosophical works of a pessimistic bent, he shows that the greatest horrors are not the products of our imagination. The worst and most plentiful horrors are instead to be found in reality. Mr. Ligotti's calm, but often bloodcurdling turns of phrase, evoke the dreadfulness of the human condition. Those who cannot bear the truth will pretend this is another work of fiction, but in doing so they perpetuate the conspiracy of the book s title. --David Benatar, author of Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence; Department of Philosophy, University of Cape Town, South Africa

The Conspiracy against the Human Race sets out what is perhaps the most sustained challenge yet to the intellectual blackmail that would oblige us to be eternally grateful for a gift we never invited. --From the Foreword by Ray Brassier --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Thomas Ligotti is one of the foremost authors of supernatural horror literature. In this genre, he has been classed with Edgar Allan Poe and H. P. Lovecraft. His works include Songs of a Dead Dreamer, Grimscribe, My Work Is Not Yet Done, and Teatro Grottesco. Ligotti lives in Florida. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product details

Paperback: 248 pages
Publisher: Hippocampus Press; 35328th edition (April 30, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0984480277
ISBN-13: 978-0984480272
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #202,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Genres & Styles > Horror & Supernatural
- #90 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Criticism

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Customer Reviews

110

4.2 out of 5 stars

5 star		58%
4 star		21%
3 star		11%
2 star		6%
1 star		4%

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Top Customer Reviews

A must-read for anyone struggling with thoughts of existantialism and/or ...

ByMarka Lawon May 30, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A must-read for anyone struggling with thoughts of existantialism and/or a fan of horror. I've always been an optimistic person--I don't necessarily believe in a "purpose" for life, but I've been taught to see the silver lining in every situation. Ligotti's arguments can be very depressing at times because he gets into the core of the things we're afraid to think about. Even if you think you'll disagree with his views, as I do, this is still an incredible and mind-boggling read.

0Comment 15 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

The cosmic inhumanism of Ligotti

ByC. D. Varnon August 2, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Ligotti's anti-humanism is far more profound that the utilitarian influenced anti-natalism it is often naively linked to. Ligotti explores the anti-human and cosmic perspective that has often been expressed in weird fiction, and not just his own, but he may be its most articulate and interesting spokesperson. Ligotti themes around the terror of nihilism and the inability to accept a lesser role in the universe after wrapped in delicious aphorism and almost jet black humor: "Life is a confidence trick we must run on ourselves, hoping we do not catch on to any monkey business that would have us stripped of our defense mechanisms and standing stark naked before the silent, starring void" and "This would be for the good of all, for even those who know nothing about the conspiracy against the human race are among its injured parties.”

Now sometimes philosophical precision is lost for tone and character, but Ligotti is one of the more profound thinkers on the ennui of modern nihilism, the silliness of the assumption of an anthro-centric world view, and the relationship between knowledge and depression. Ligotti's scalpel can have a light touch and a compression where he has cut out a key part of the reader's ego without the reader first noticing.

This does not mean we should embrace Ligotti's cosmic anti-humanism, but this book shows the seriousness of that vision which is often wrapped in Lovecraftian cults and alien gods. Indeed, the weight of a world that is not built around us must be dealt with by any serious thinker. Philosophers and theorists such as Ray Brassier and Eugene Thacker, regardless of what you think of their work, do illustrate that one should talke Ligotti seriously, even when he is expressing it in pure fiction.

0Comment 12 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

What a unique book! HORROR + Philosophy!

ByWendy Willowbyon December 27, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

One might first try thinking of ways this book could have been better, or more funny or less funny or more horrifying or more philosophical, but in final consensus, it achieves its point and doesn't risk derailing it, no matter the audience. I would have liked Ligotti to have tapped deeper into his talent for horror. His invention of "Professor Nobody" was his way of removing himself from risky and equivocal passages he no longer feels possessed by...in a sense diminishing them or relegating them to mere humor. Even the title his humorous...but not at all in the nightmarish way Samuel Beckett is humorous. At least Beckett's humor offers no evasion or catharsis.

This book serves as an invitation to further reading. Ligotti recommends little know pessimists, some of whom currently have zero books available in English...Phillip Mainlander, Julius Bahnsen or Peter Zapffe.

It also furthers the work of Diestag in laying bare the social stigma of pessimism (which often coincides with minor or severe mental illness, such as depression or anxiety). Ligotti speaks from experience, and he speaks compassionately...who but a pessimist would risk humor while also abusing ones own outlook? Pessimism is inherently ironic as well as sensitive. If pain equates to depth, this book offers gems without abusing or tarnishing them.

0Comment 7 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Mind blown!

ByJackie C.on December 5, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This book is definitely suited for a niche audience. Anyone interested in philosophical pessimism, nihilism, existentialism, etc. will love this book. For me, it raises many questions that I had never thought to ask. I experienced several mind-blowing moments and continue to refer back to the book as I apply many of the points raised to my daily life experiences.

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What the hell are we doing here?

ByFrank L.on April 7, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Ligotti delves into his exploration of pessimistic and nihilistic philosophies without pulling any punches. This is a must read for anybody considering why human life truly sucks and if it really needs to go any further.

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Superb rant.

ByRonnie Cravenon October 25, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Best philosophy book I have ever read, given that no philosopher ever argues for anything they don't already believe, or feel like believing, regardless of the arguments. Fantastic book. It's not rigorous (as philosophy) but it packs a punch that can change your life. though probably only if you already believe everything he says anyway (as I did) - but that's one of his key points. Much, much better than anything else he has ever written. His fiction doesn't come near it, for me. Highly recommended.

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Perfect Dark

ByJust some ladyon April 9, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This book is not for the faint of heart, but it reflects some basic truths about life that become increasingly difficult to ignore, having read it. Beautifully rendered observations on humanity and the universe. Makes a case for the pragmatic, rather than theoretical, philosophy of our daily lives and how we live them. Also, it says that everyone should stop having children and the human race should kill itself off as consciousness is basically an unfortunate result of natural selection and a mistake in the evolution of life. Awesome.

0Comment 6 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most Recent Customer Reviews

Five Stars

Don't have kids.Read more

Published 21 hours ago by Amazon Customer

Five Stars

achieves an amazing synthesis drawn from underrated pessimistic thinkers throughout history, must read for anyone interested in philosophical pessimism Read more

Published 2 months ago by Gregory Chen

Solid study and a quick read

The study of Nihilism in a modern package. Though the author isn't exactly breaking new ground he has made it accessible to a younger audience.Read more

Published 3 months ago by Oghma_EM

Very interesting with good material and presentation

Overall: pessimism disguised as disillusionment

However the individual books and philosophers he references alone make this book worth the read, and his analysis is...Read more

Published 4 months ago by Amazon Customer

Oh the hypocrisy or is it greed?

Tom wishes he had never been born. Sigh. But now that he is here he cites every obscure philosopher known to man in an effort to make us wish we had never been born.Read more

Published 4 months ago by Yukio

Bummer

This book is a depressing bummer. I think it was written as such, and there is probably a crowd for it. Im just not in that crowd.Read more

Published 5 months ago by Tensoft

It's pretty philosophical. I felt awestricken and unintelligent while reading ...

It's pretty philosophical. I felt awestricken and unintelligent while reading it. One of those books that I can try to pick up and read for the rest of my life i guess.Read more

Published 5 months ago by Seth F.

Novel take on the human condition

Bill Hicks once said you never hear his point of view in the news. This book perfectly explains that sentiment.Read more

Published 8 months ago by E. Kysela

Good read

Interesting book. Be warned Mr. Ligotti has an extensive vocabulary of words. I found myself looking up words using my kindle fairly frequently.Read more

Published 8 months ago by Justin Hansen

Useless

If you are interested in saving some time, I would recommend not reading this book and just pulling the trigger.Read more

Published 8 months ago by Amazon Customer

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