STORIES ARE WEAPONS Psychological Warfare and the American Mind

Alexandra Cohler has the right tone, tempo, and style for this polemical and highly informed audiobook. She can sound like she's reporting on a real-life scene or immersed in a sci-fi setting. Her narrative approach works well with this provocative work by journalist/science fiction novelist Newitz, who challenges preconceived notions about messages and messaging. The subject is propaganda: its practitioners, its roots, its uses and misuses. The central figures include Edward Bernays, the public relations pioneer who was Freud's nephew. He used the techniques Freud developed to heal people, as well as to persuade women to smoke. He also persuaded the CIA to invade Guatemala to help United Fruit, his client. This is an idea-rich listen. A.D.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2024]