Likely the most useful thing you can learn from Debunked! is the common strains between conspiracy theories, which become apparent quickly. In many cases, something bad happens. Then, somebody theorizes that, instead of an accident or a minor but obvious conspiracy, we have all been fooled by a much larger conspiracy. The conspiracy tends to fall prey to two general arguments every time: One, people don't really keep secrets very well. The more people in on the secret (which makes a conspiracy theory easier to come up with) the more people had a chance of following their conscience and telling the truth (which makes debunking that same conspiracy theory easier). Two, the risk/reward ratio will often strain logic. Would President Bush really plant a two-way communicator on his person for one debate without ever having tested it before, just to attempt to echo someone else speaking (apparently, it didn't help him much). These lessons you find from reading about a number of conspiracy theories at once are likely more helpful than knowing the details of the individual ones.
The tone is somewhat off-putting. Somehow, Roeper comes off as overly snarky even when he should be a little bit snarky. There are just a few too many jokes about conspiracy email CAPS LOCK or cheap production values on their DVDs, or something. These conspiracy theorists are usually otherwise normal people who cling onto one or two crazy beliefs without really looking into them, then they argue those points with all their heart. This almost purposeful ignorance deserves a bit of bite, and an entertaining book like this will have a bit more bite anyway. I think the issue is that Roeper's extra little bite isn't quite funny enough, so it comes off as just mean.
Otherwise, Debunked! is an entertaining look at lots of conspiracy theories that should make skeptics of a few more people out there who might have bought a "Nigerian Prince" email in the past. You'll come away from it with the record set straight on several prevalent theories of today and yesterday (no moon landing chapter, but a Princess Di chapter, not all 21st century). And the good thing is, the powers that be won't whisk you away for reading it.
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