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With politics taking centre stage due to the US presidential election, the time is perfect for a reprint of this classic work from Edward Bernays, the father of public relations and political spin and the man who designed the ad campaign that got the United States involved in World War I. Written in 1928, this was the first book to discuss the manipulation of the masses and democracy by government spin and propaganda.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Bernays is considered as one of the originators of the modern Public Relations industry. If you work in PR, it is essential reading. But it also serves as a dramatic sociological text, full of hard truths about the reality of modern life. This is the reason why Noam Chomsky recommends this book so strongly.
Bernays, as one would expect from the most successful propagandist of the 20th century, has a thorough grasp of psychology and sociology. His psychological view is based on "Uncle Siggy" - his Uncle Sigmund Freud. The origin of his sociological views, however, are less clear, but he shares the views of many liberal thinkers that a real democracy is a danger to be avoided, and not an ideal to be sought.
Bernays likes to point out the fact that we like to think that we are "free", but we are often led by the "experts": in business, in politics, in science, philosophy, ethics. The PR agent serves the interests of the minority who control the interests and habits of the masses (what Bernays calls the "invisible Government"), by using the media industry itself, without its exclicit knowledge.
He describes an example from the fashion industry that is so obvious, that one feels very stupid in not noticing it.
Read.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Edward Bernays is certainly a man with self-assurance. He describes the machinery by which our perceptions are managed by our 'invisible governors'. And indeed our world has been created by the techniques he describes. But there is a certain amount of hubris in what he's written, and as Adam Curtis explains in 'The Century of the Self' he used his skills for dubious ends. It's certainly a ground-breaking book, but you wonder if Governments and businesses can control the messages in the way he describes in the era of social media and the internet. Also, as we saw in the Iraq war, the truth comes out in the end, and once you've deceived the people once, it's not so easy a second time. Still, it's good to know how the dark arts work, and Bernays is an excellent writer.
32 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I rated this at 3 because I mean 'it was OK'. I could not say I 'Liked it' because the information was not what most people would like to know about the world they live in. Sadly we do live in such a world and it certainly is a reality check. I read most of it in one sitting. There are so many shocking quotable quotes in this book.
one of which is:
"If we understand the mechanism and motives of the group mind, is it not possible to control and regiment the masses according to our will without their knowing about it?"
Edward Bernays (nephew of Sigmund Freud) from book 'Propaganda' page 71
Another quote: "There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realised to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes. Now, what is still more important, the extent to which our thoughts and habits are modified by authorities. In some department of our daily life, in which we imagine ourselves free agents , we are ruled by dictators exercising great power."
Edward Bernays (nephew of Sigmund Freud) from book 'Propaganda' page 61
I found the book useful in that I am more aware of the systems of control that surround me in the media (i.e. advertising + TV 'programming') and the political arena (i.e. the news).
I'm sure things are even more sophisicated these days than this book lays out.
I was expecting a more complex book than it turned out to be. Thankfully the book was very simple to read. I have no intention of using the techniques, but I guess if you did, then this would be a very good guide to refer back to.
It got a bit boring near the end, but it was worth reading everything. I felt that Bernays represented an enemy somehow and that I needed to arm myself with these truths to protect myself from being deceived. Insightful book.
one of which is:
"If we understand the mechanism and motives of the group mind, is it not possible to control and regiment the masses according to our will without their knowing about it?"
Edward Bernays (nephew of Sigmund Freud) from book 'Propaganda' page 71
Another quote: "There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realised to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes. Now, what is still more important, the extent to which our thoughts and habits are modified by authorities. In some department of our daily life, in which we imagine ourselves free agents , we are ruled by dictators exercising great power."
Edward Bernays (nephew of Sigmund Freud) from book 'Propaganda' page 61
I found the book useful in that I am more aware of the systems of control that surround me in the media (i.e. advertising + TV 'programming') and the political arena (i.e. the news).
I'm sure things are even more sophisicated these days than this book lays out.
I was expecting a more complex book than it turned out to be. Thankfully the book was very simple to read. I have no intention of using the techniques, but I guess if you did, then this would be a very good guide to refer back to.
It got a bit boring near the end, but it was worth reading everything. I felt that Bernays represented an enemy somehow and that I needed to arm myself with these truths to protect myself from being deceived. Insightful book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
essential reading
Though we all are subject to the phenomenon of propaganda on a daily basis, this book is still essential reading. You recognize all of what Bernays is writing. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Rafa
Excellent little expo of the subject
I bought this on a whim, because I am interested in propaganda and I had heard of Bernays from a TV documentary I watched. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Mr. J. N. White
inform yourself
It is a useful book to inform yourelsves of the subtle and at times subliminal techniques of persuasion used on us. Read more
Published 21 months ago by findlay
Brilliant Insight
Shows just WHY we have all been propagandised into believing such fallacies as 'global warming' in order for those at the top to make huge profits from taxes on us breathing... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2010 by D. Thompson
Bernays studyed man
The story of the relationship between Sigmund Freud and his American nephew, Edward Bernays. Bernays invented the public relations profession in the 1920s and was the first person... Read more
Published on 28 April 2009 by Mr. R. M. Breeds
Good Book - Pity the publisher did not proof read
The book is very good, Bernays has very interesting and pioneering ideas. The only problem was there was more than a handful of spelling errors (excluding the US spellings) and... Read more
Published on 9 May 2006 by Mr. A. La Costa
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