Psychological Warfare (International propaganda and communications) [Hardcover]

Paul M. Linebarger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1972 | ISBN-10: 040504755X | ISBN-13: 978-0405047558

Originally published in 1948 and used as a textbook by the United States Army for years, this authoritative guide provides a complete theoretical exploration of the purpose and nature of propaganda in times of war. Detailing and defining the history, strategies, limitations, and effectiveness of psychological warfare, this reference allows readers to draw comparisons to the modern usage of such techniques that exist in the news media and within advertising and political campaigns.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Paul M. A. Linebarger was a colonel in the United States Army, where he was involved in the creation of the Office of War Information and the Operation Planning and Intelligence Board. He also helped organize the Army's first psychological warfare section. He taught Asiatic studies at Johns Hopkins University and is the author of The Planet Buyer, The Political Doctrines of Sun-Yat-Sen, and Quest of the Three Worlds.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 318 pages
• Publisher: Ayer Co Pub (June 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 040504755X
• ISBN-13: 978-0405047558
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,376,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the classic textbook on psychological warfare, September 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Psychological Warfare (International propaganda and communications) (Hardcover)

Dr. Linebarger was one of the world's experts on understanding the relationship of culture to propaganda. This book was in use for many years as the textbook in the US Army course on Psychological Operations. It is still just as useful towards understanding the political 'spin' machines as it was in planning some of the most successful psychological warfare campaigns of the last forty years.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Intelligent Textbook, June 23, 2008

By 

Benjamin Brown (Pleasantville, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Psychological Warfare (Hardcover)

A 1940s era textbook on "Psychological Warfare" written by an intelligent and sensitive author.

(After his death, it was revealed that Dr. Linebarger was "Cordwainer Smith," a notable author of literary science fiction whose stories often incorporated stylistic elements of east Asian folktales.)

"Psychological warfare" is the use of propaganda, that is, the the use of leaflets, radio, newspapers, public displays, etc. to persuade people of any given thing in a context of war. Dr. Linebarger describes the history of psychological warfare, from the three elephants leashed together by the Mongol emperor Tamerlane to inspire awe in the enemy to certain leaflets, dropped over Japan by the American military in World War II, which attempted to convince civilians to move away from cities targeted by American bombers. Dr. Linebarger goes on to create a typology of the forms organized persuasion can take, and to establish basic principles for its effective use.

"Psychological Warfare" will provide the reader with neither "cutting-edge" nor, usually, specifically military techniques, but it will provide a competent theoretical exploration of the purpose and nature of persuasive media.

In "Psychological Warfare," the sharpness of Dr. Linebarger's thought as well as his interest in folk culture and his long immersion in East Asia are evident.