Book 69: Munitions of the Mind: A History of Propaganda from the Ancient World to the Present Day

NUMBER: 69
TITLE: Munitions of the Mind: A History of Propaganda from the Ancient World to the Present Day
AUTHOR: Philip M. Taylor
STARTED: ?
FINISHED: October 16, 2005
PAGES: 344
GENRE: Non-Fiction

FIRST SENTENCE: From the perspective of our modern information and communications age, the word 'propaganda' continues to imply something evil.

SUMMARY: [From barnesandnoble.com] A classic work, Munitions of the mind traces how propaganda has formed part of the fabric of conflict since the dawn of warfare, and how in its broadest definition it has also been part of a process of persuasion at the heart of human communication. Stone monuments, coins, broadsheets, paintings and pamphlets, posters, radio, film, television, computers and satellite communications - propaganda has had access to ever more complex and versatile media. This third edition has been revised and expanded to include a new preface, new chapters on the Gulf War, information age conflict in the post-Cold War era, and the world after the terrorist attacks of September 11. It also offers a new epilogue and comprehensive bibliographical essay. The extraordinary range of this book, as well as the original and cohesive analysis it offers, makes it an ideal text for all international courses covering media and communications studies, cultural history, military history and politics. It will prove fascinating and accessible to the general reader.

REASON FOR READING: Assigned in MDIA 530: The Rhetoric of Propaganda

THOUGHTS: This was a very interesting read. Not only did it give a fantastic review of propaganda throughout history, it also included details about propaganda that I would never think about. Military uniforms would never once have crossed my mind as being bits of propaganda. Taylor shows how war and propaganda as so intertwined that they are almost indistinguishable from one another. I enjoyed reading about how propaganda has changed over time and situated itself into our every day lives. I don't know if I will ever be able to look at anything without thinking if I'm being handled.

This class is fascinating and this book is one of the reasons why. Taylor goes out of his way to incorporate as much detail as possible into this book. It reads fluidly and has a broad spectrum of information.

MISCELLANEOUS: The british spelling threw me for a loop at first, but I got used to it.

KEEP/SHARE/CRINGE(?): Probably sell back, but that could change.
RATING: 6/10 [Good]

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