Customer Reviews

Psychological Warfare (International propaganda and communications)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.