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— Chicago Tribune"A feast for those interested in historical and modern black folklore. . . . Engaging."
— New York Times"Illuminating. . . . Although [Turner] deals primarily with some seemingly preposterous rumors circulating among blacks in the United States, her book demonstrates how and exemplary case study of folklore can reveal the positive side of these seemingly damaging rumors. Moreover, her work opens up new perspectives on black culture."
— Boston Globe"A necessary addition to studies of African-American culture, with insights for all races into the effects of oppression and misunderstanding."
— Quarterly Black Review of Books"A feast for those interested in historical and modern black folklore and for both supporters and critics of conspiracy theory."
— San Francisco Chronicle"Fascinating. . . . Turner explores the origins of rumors, how they spread and their sometimes devastating effect. . . as she examines everything from Atlanta child murders to Liz Claiborne's designer clothes, Kool and Marlboro cigarets, Reebok footwear and Troop sportswear."
"A compelling read. . . . Through sleuth-like research of rumor and myth in African-American culture, Turner uncovers perhaps the biggest conspiracy of all: centuries of systematic racism in the United States. She traces the history of black folklore in this country from the moment the first slave ships arrived to the present day, repeatedly providing powerful evidence that the African-American fear of white America is not simply unfounded cultural paranoia."
