Munitions of the Mind: A History of Propaganda, Third Edition [Paperback]

Philip M. Taylor (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0719067677 | ISBN-13: 978-0719067679 | Publication Date: November 15, 2003 | Edition: 3rd

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 - throughout history, 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 1991 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 a comprehensive bibliographical essay.

The extraordinary range of this book, as well as the original and cohesive analysis it offers, make it an ideal text for all international courses covering media and communications studies, cultural history, military history and politics. It will also prove fascinating and accessible to the general reader.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Philip M. Taylor is Professor of International Communications at the University of Leeds

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Manchester University Press; 3rd edition (November 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0719067677
• ISBN-13: 978-0719067679
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Undergraduate's Perspective, June 12, 2005

By 

Mark Twain - See all my reviews

This review is from: Munitions of the Mind: A History of Propaganda from the Ancient World to the Present Era (Hardcover)

As an undergraudate studying a Propaganda course at Durham University, the book was invaluable. For everyone on the course, it was the unofficial textbook.

The key to its success is its masterful combination of bredth and depth. It illuminates critical issues well with examples giving a lively history of propaganda throughout. It also never isolates propaganda from the wider context.

I paid particular attention to the Second World War chapter, which was a bit thin on Soviet Propaganda and gave too many lists (esp. of films) but was overall a wonderful chapter. The chapter on the Gulf War was also especially good.

My only criticisms would be that it needs more awareness of the metholodigical issues for the propaganda historian and more on Vietnam given its significance as the first mass television war. Could also do with some more pictures given its emphasis on visual propaganda.

Thanks for a splendid book and a great website accessible through Leeds University School of Communication.

Joe

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent survey of Western history and propaganda, May 7, 1998

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Munitions of the Mind: A History of Propaganda from the Ancient World to the Present Era (Paperback)

"Munitions of the Mind" is a broad survey of propaganda and its use through history. Perhaps the one book of its kind, "Munitions of the Mind" takes the reader from early Western civilization to the Gulf War, briefly describing how propaganda was used to promote military and political goals of empires, democracies, and ideologies across the eons.

The book is an excellent basic resource for those seeking to understand how propaganda has been used through history. Clearly and insightfully written, it forces the reader to think about how emerging media may be used by entities to promote their goals.

The book contains some minor irritations, such as its references to Margaret Mead's somewhat controversial "Coming of Age in Samoa," and a section on the Cold War that appeared (to this reader) to place both sides on equal moral footing. This reviewer also hungered for more details on peacetime propaganda, more pre-20th century examples, and the an explanation about how modern marketing techniques affected propaganda. The non-Western world is virtually ignored. Visuals would have also helped the reader understand how graphics are used in conveying ideas without words. However, these are small problems in a work of such amazing scope and interest.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars More a History of Recruitment, September 18, 2009

By 

Paul A. Escajadillo (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Munitions of the Mind: A History of Propaganda, Third Edition (Paperback)

While the book was exceptionally well written for academia in the Queen's English, its ability to fully interest a layperson was unfortunately lacking. Additionally, the book seemed overtly preoccupied with the propaganda of recruitment by different nations and armed forces throughout history rather than the propaganda wars that reached a zenith during World War II.

Little mention is made of psychological warfare/operations, which is what I thought the book would concentrate on.

Overall, a good book but not what I personally expected.