Propaganda

I heard the name of Edward Bernays mentioned in a couple of podcasts as the nephew of Sigmund Freud (the famous psychoanalyst) and the uncle of Marc Randolph (the co-founder of Netflix). When I discovered that he had authored a book, I was quick to pick it up. I am deeply fascinated by what drives human behavior and who better to learn from than the “father of public relations” himself.The word propaganda is a loaded term and we tend to associate it with negative connotations but, as Bernays explains, anyone seeking to be influential in this world needs to become a propagandist. At it’s core, propaganda is influencing the masses to think a certain way. Of course, this power of influence has been leveraged by bad actors for nefarious means, and that’s why it’s so important to read this book so that you don’t fall victim to it.At the end of the day, whatever role you play in life, becoming a propagandist will make you more effective at it. Whether that means propagating the idea of dental hygiene to your kids or propagating the idea of why someone should by your product, it comes down to the ability to influence someone’s patterns of thought—and propaganda is about doing that at a mass scale.This was an interesting read for sure and I would recommend it to anyone looking to become an independent thinker in this world. Learning how to wield the power of propaganda is especially important for the heart-centered individuals that are sincerely looking to elevate humanity. Unfortunately, it is the bad actors that have become more effective at this art.

Just amazing. A must read for everyone.

Bought this for my senior thesis. Exactly what I needed. Thank you Edward, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you.

Great book to help explain to people how they've been programmed by media to believe a certain narrative

This edition of Propaganda by Edward Bernays is a thought-provoking read that explores the mechanisms behind mass influence and public opinion. Bernays, often referred to as the father of public relations, lays out how propaganda has been used—both ethically and manipulatively—across various industries and governments. His arguments are delivered clearly and confidently, which makes the book accessible even to those unfamiliar with the subject.While originally published in 1928, the content remains startlingly relevant today. Whether you’re interested in media, marketing, politics, or psychology, this book challenges you to think critically about how information is presented and why. The physical copy itself is well-printed and durable, with clean typesetting. A great addition for anyone who enjoys books that stir deep reflection and discussion.

Good information but difficult to read in the format presented

Its good

The "establishment" took manipulation of the masses to a whole new level during and after World War. This author was one of the propagandists who did the deed.In this book, he openly boasts that his purpose is to rehabilitate the word "propaganda" after it had gotten a "bad" reputation. He fails to mention that he is one of the men most responsible for the word's gaining that reputation. He also fails to mention that the examples he gives of propaganda in action were all campaigns of his own.The author openly tries to make you think that you really should sit down, shut up and let your betters tell you what to think and what to do. If you , by the end of the book, start to actually consider that - then you've seen for yourself how effective a propagandist he was. And remember, this is nothing more than the written word - no music, no video, no subliminal manipulations (in the commonly (mis)understood meaning of "subliminal"), no CGI, no deep fake video or audio. Not even a single picture with subliminal clues "airbrushed" into ice cubes or whatever.