Propaganda

By: Edward Bernays, Mark Crispin Miller - introduction

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country." (Edward Bernays)

A seminal and controversial figure in the history of political thought and public relations, Edward Bernays pioneered the scientific technique of shaping and manipulating public opinion, which he famously dubbed the "engineering of consent". During World War I, he was an integral part of the US Committee on Public Information, or CPI, a powerful propaganda apparatus that was mobilized to package, advertise, and sell the war to the American people as one that would "Make the World Safe for Democracy". The CPI became the blueprint for the marketing strategies of future wars.

Bernays applied the techniques he had learned in the CPI and, incorporating some of the ideas of Walter Lipmann, became an outspoken proponent of propaganda as a tool for democratic and corporate manipulation of the population. His 1928 bombshell, Propaganda, lays out his eerily prescient vision for using propaganda to regiment the collective mind in a variety of areas, including government, politics, art, science, and education. To listen to this book today is to frightfully comprehend what our contemporary institutions of government and business have become in regard to the organized manipulation of the masses.

©1928 Edward Bernays (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

This Classic is still very relevant.

Learning how Propaganda works is so important for dealing with all the information being thrown at us today. This book will help you understand and manage it very well.

Very basic for experienced readers

If you are active in the field of advertising or PR, you may find this book very elementary.
Yet, if you’re looking for the general understanding of “What is propaganda” (not “how to”), this book will deliver.

Mostly Common Knowledge by Now: Still a few Gems

The knowledge in this book is over-indexed and overused. Nevertheless, it is a good place to start

Propaganda about Propaganda

This book is brilliant. It’s like a car commercial on steroids. It’s literally propaganda for the art of propaganda and public relations.

Outdated but insightful

The stories and references are outdated but the techniques are not and are valuable to persons who have a small business and have to develop strategies for public engagement.