The author and radio personality William Milton Cooper exercised a remarkably broad influence on conspiracy theory in the United States and beyond in the late 20th century. After his death in a shootout with police at his Arizona compound just months after 9/11, his name passed into legend, but the extent of his influence is often overlooked. Cooper's 1991 book Behold a Pale Horse, which claimed to document the Illuminati's scheme for a New World Order, was often described as a manifesto of the militia movement; it also circulated widely as contraband in prisons, especialy among African Americans, and as a result, became a frequent reference in hip hop lyrics in the 90s. Journalist Mark Jacobson was introduced to Cooper by one of his most prominent fans, the Wu Tang Clan's Old Dirty Bastard. He subsequently immersed himself in Cooper's writings, broadcasts, and career, and in 2018, published the first biography of him, Pale Horse Rider. Mark joins me to discuss the book, its subject, conspiracy culture in the Trump era, and more.

Follow Mark on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palehorseriderbook/?hl=en

Buy Pale Horse Rider: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/316378/pale-horse-rider-by-mark-jacobson/

Buy Behold a Pale Horse: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780929385228

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