Who Killed Truth?

A History of Evidence

By: Jill Lepore

Narrated by: Jill Lepore

Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Many historians and cultural observers argue we live in a post-truth world—but if truth is dead, who killed it? And how did it die? Join celebrated historian Jill Lepore as she cracks the case by examining key moments in the history of truth, doubt, and evidence across the last century.

In Who Killed Truth? acclaimed Harvard historian and New Yorker staff writer Jill Lepore traces the origins of our current post-truth crisis. In a series of spellbinding stories, Lepore investigates murders, hoaxes, lies and delusions to reckon with the instability of truth and fiction in the twenty-first century. Listeners will follow Lepore through a fascinating, erudite, and antic journey through the thorny problem of how we know what we know, and why it seems sometimes as if we don't know anything at all anymore.

Revisiting key moments in U.S. history—from the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925 to the 1977 National Women’s Convention to the first election predicted by computer, and more—Lepore uncovers the secrets of the past the way a detective might, hot on the trail of the killer of truth.

Please note: This collection includes content that has been previously released in The Last Archive podcast.

©2023 Pushkin Industries (P)2023 Pushkin Industries

Excellent!

Jill Lepore is an absolutely amazing writer and narrates this book beautifully! I loved her in-depth stories that seek truth from Henrietta Lachs to the Scopes Monkey trial and beyond.

An optimistic cynics review

Like most such books, it’s way better at analyzing the problem that it is at coming up with a solution. I suspect that most people who read such books already know there’s a problem. The solution of putting teenagers in charge of political speech on social media seems awful to me. Teenagers may know social media but they don’t know that much about life (e.g. if they want to get answers instead of the run around from Nancy Pelosi, or any other politician, they need to have money). More and more the words of my great uncle, a World War I vet, come back to me: tell me something I don’t know. Note that I didn’t quote a teenager.

Hope for the future!

Jill Lepore provides an amazing historical context for why we struggle today to believe, let alone trust, those around us with differing ideas. The last chapter provides hope that our younger generations can see through the combative rhetoric of today to build the bridges necessary for a more productive future. Thank you!

Well presented evidence for a democracy in disrepair

I came to this audiobook as a fan of Jill Lepore. I am now even more convinced that she has found a way to show us ourselves with good, fascinating, unblinking grace. Inside the tempo
and flair of the who-done—it story, we learn history’s secret places that have bent public perception. With the steady, careful, and entertaining use of archival recordings. we hear the real voices of players who pushed us toward the questions that ask if our democracy can survive.

Been waiting for this

Many helpful connections between events of my lifetime. Striking account of how we got to a truthless public square.

Creative Exploration

To no one’s surprise, New Yorker staff writer Jill LaPore regularly churns out clever phrases. But this Harvard historian is also creative in her approach to the history of evidence. Particularly exciting is her look at how our society might rid social media of mis- and disinformation.

Get it!

This is a great piece of work. With well documented stories and primary sources in original audio in many cases. Very entertaining and thought provoking. I listen to lots of audio books and I'd rate this among the very best.

Tedious trivial

Stories are empty & meaningless. She may be a great prof, teacher historian, but this is piffle.

Trivial mishandling of an important issue.

This podcast turned into a book is a total waste of time. If you are suckered into thinking that Lepore is going to wrestle with the crisis of 21st Century Truth vs Lies & Misinformation, please avoid this cutesy popcast.

The difficulty today’s World faces in evaluating the Truth Value of Current Events, Scientific Discoveries and Theories and Political Battles is much too important for the treatment the author gives it. Her narration makes the writing and subject matter even more offensive.

Two Stars for the occasional educational value of some of the historical examples she uses to make her points. Otherwise, you’re better off skipping it.
**

Jill Lepore Kills Truth

This book starts out very promising, but eventually devolves into hot button leftist issues. The book never deals with issues like what is truth, what is meant by killing go truth, if truth is dead when was it alive, etc. For someone as intelligent and accomplished as the author, this is lazy research and lazy conclusions. Who killed truth? People like the author who use their credentials to reel people in, but then walk a party line without employing any critical thinking skills.