As controversial as these questions might seem, there is no doubt about the influence hundreds of documented conspiracies have played in shaping the modern world. Conspiracies, simply put, occur when two or more parties work together to commit some unlawful or immoral act-and no nation's history has been left untouched by them. In more than 500 concise entries, The Encyclopedia of Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories explains numerous true conspiracies from around the world and throughout history, while also closely examining those that remain unproven. From the "inheritance powder" of the Medicis to the United Nations Oil-for-Food program scandal, the author details the key points of each case, notes its historical significance, and assesses the evidence.