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The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is a 1903 Russian book that describes a Jewish and Masonic plot to achieve world domination. It is one of the best known and discussed examples of literary forgery. Elements of the text appear to be plagiarized from an 1864 pamphlet, The Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu, by French satirist Maurice Joly.
The Protocols is widely considered to be the beginning of contemporary conspiracy theory literature, and takes the form of an instruction manual to a new member of the "elders," describing how they will run the world through control of the media and finance, and replace the traditional social order with one based on mass manipulation.
The book has been widely cited by antisemitic groups, many of whom assert the book's authenticity. The novel remains popular among anti-Zionists in the Middle East. A Mexican version published in 2005 suggested that while the book itself may be fake, a Jewish conspiracy exists nonetheless.
