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Manufacturing Delusion: How the Left Uses Brainwashing, Indoctrination, and Propaganda Against You
A former CIA analyst draws on his experience combatting jihadi terror movements and the history of totalitarian regimes to show how citizens lose touch with reality.
Some of history’s greatest empires have devolved into genocidal lunacy—often with shocking compliance from their own people. What methods can create this madness?
In Manufacturing Delusion, acclaimed conservative commentator and former CIA officer Buck Sexton offers answers. Drawing on his intelligence experience, expertise in crowd psychology, knowledge of propaganda, and research into some of history’s darkest totalitarian chapters, he equips you to identify mind control tactics used to form compliant citizens. He explores the eight tactics of mass delusion through
How Stalin used Pavlovian mind games to establish absolute controlHow Chinese thought reform transformed opposition into terrorized pawnsHow Jihadist preachers replace shared humanity with weaponized fear
Using these examples and others, Sexton walks you through a history of controlling regimes and the methods they used to create passive citizens. More importantly, he shows you how some of the early stages of mass delusion have already occurred right here in the United States of America, on issues of public health, gender, and racial justice.
An unnerving explanation of how Orwell’s 1984 could become reality, Manufacturing Delusion is essential reading for anyone who wants to know how to stand strong when everyone around them is going crazy.
Some of history’s greatest empires have devolved into genocidal lunacy—often with shocking compliance from their own people. What methods can create this madness?
In Manufacturing Delusion, acclaimed conservative commentator and former CIA officer Buck Sexton offers answers. Drawing on his intelligence experience, expertise in crowd psychology, knowledge of propaganda, and research into some of history’s darkest totalitarian chapters, he equips you to identify mind control tactics used to form compliant citizens. He explores the eight tactics of mass delusion through
How Stalin used Pavlovian mind games to establish absolute controlHow Chinese thought reform transformed opposition into terrorized pawnsHow Jihadist preachers replace shared humanity with weaponized fear
Using these examples and others, Sexton walks you through a history of controlling regimes and the methods they used to create passive citizens. More importantly, he shows you how some of the early stages of mass delusion have already occurred right here in the United States of America, on issues of public health, gender, and racial justice.
An unnerving explanation of how Orwell’s 1984 could become reality, Manufacturing Delusion is essential reading for anyone who wants to know how to stand strong when everyone around them is going crazy.
Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 18, 2026
The book’s strongest feature is its breakdown of indoctrination into eight distinct techniques. That framework is thoughtful and clearly draws from serious historical and psychological research.
Unfortunately, the execution is uneven. Many personal anecdotes lack depth, and some quotations (especially Jung) feel under-contextualized. The tone often seems geared toward a right-leaning talk-radio audience, which narrows what could have been a more universal argument.
My biggest criticism is the conclusion. After detailing how powerful and coercive these tactics can be, including forced confession and ideological pressure, the book ultimately offers no concrete strategies for resisting them. It suggests that awareness is enough, but doesn’t explain how individuals are supposed to defend themselves when compliance is the only thing that stops punishment.
Unfortunately, the execution is uneven. Many personal anecdotes lack depth, and some quotations (especially Jung) feel under-contextualized. The tone often seems geared toward a right-leaning talk-radio audience, which narrows what could have been a more universal argument.
My biggest criticism is the conclusion. After detailing how powerful and coercive these tactics can be, including forced confession and ideological pressure, the book ultimately offers no concrete strategies for resisting them. It suggests that awareness is enough, but doesn’t explain how individuals are supposed to defend themselves when compliance is the only thing that stops punishment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2026
Must read book for all Americans who are blinded with TDS & refuse to see the truth. The mainstream media tells us what to think, what to believe & we’re too lazy to ask questions. Great point that one side complains about the other but refuses to articulate what their position is or what their plan is to fix it.
February 19, 2026
Ronnie from Louisiana
The book was very thought provoking. I was almost expecting some wow factor but most of what Buck shows us I was already self aware of. In sales they say the sale is made only after the 7th attempt. That is why propaganda is so effective today. The left repeats certain untruths until most people just accept it. Many on the left are not exercising their brain which leaves them more susceptible to the CNN’s and MSNBC’s. I will not say this was an easy read. At times it was tedious but I wish everyone would read this book just so they could become more self aware.
Love the Clay and Buck Show ! Keep up the good fight.
The book was very thought provoking. I was almost expecting some wow factor but most of what Buck shows us I was already self aware of. In sales they say the sale is made only after the 7th attempt. That is why propaganda is so effective today. The left repeats certain untruths until most people just accept it. Many on the left are not exercising their brain which leaves them more susceptible to the CNN’s and MSNBC’s. I will not say this was an easy read. At times it was tedious but I wish everyone would read this book just so they could become more self aware.
Love the Clay and Buck Show ! Keep up the good fight.
February 27, 2026
Remember the old Monty Python skits that had you holding your sides with laughter? What made that brand of sketch comedy so much funnier than anything SNL has done in decades? it was that those guys took a clear-eyed view of social absurdities and the off-balance confusion they caused. Take the scene in "Life of Brian" when Michael Palin tells the gang that he wants to have babies and an incredulous John Cleese has to debate that men can't have babies. It was funny because it highlighted how ridiculous and delusional movements become.
Enter radio talk-show host Buck Sexton with his book "Manufacturing Delusion" which takes a deep dive into what causes this magical thinking and, more importantly, why it has been used to control people for millennia. Buck looks at everything from social isolation and the innate need for group acceptance to our current propaganda wars. From the French Revolution to the covid madness; from Pravda to the current lineup at CNN, Buck takes you on a journey of discovery into why certain people in your life live in Fantasyland and will do whatever it takes, including hurting you, to stay there.
The cool part is the research. Unlike some media personalities, Buck did his homework. This one is full of historical references and footnotes mixed in with Buck's own experience working at the CIA and the NYPD Intelligence Unit. He's not quite as funny as Ann Coulter when she was writing a book a year, but the research and citations are just as good.
It's a quick read - about 250 pages in hardcover, if you can find it, which leads to another important point. I went to my local Books-a-Million in the most conservative county in Georgia and saw it nowhere. I had to ask a sad, young clerk for help. She went to the back and found the only copy in the store. At the time it was No.4 on the Amazon bestseller list. That example proves much of Buck's thesis. When you hide information, when you control all narratives, it is easy to move populations.
Don't fall for it. Buy this book, read it, digest it, and avoid the delusional manipulation in your life. You will be happier and we will all be better for it.
Enter radio talk-show host Buck Sexton with his book "Manufacturing Delusion" which takes a deep dive into what causes this magical thinking and, more importantly, why it has been used to control people for millennia. Buck looks at everything from social isolation and the innate need for group acceptance to our current propaganda wars. From the French Revolution to the covid madness; from Pravda to the current lineup at CNN, Buck takes you on a journey of discovery into why certain people in your life live in Fantasyland and will do whatever it takes, including hurting you, to stay there.
The cool part is the research. Unlike some media personalities, Buck did his homework. This one is full of historical references and footnotes mixed in with Buck's own experience working at the CIA and the NYPD Intelligence Unit. He's not quite as funny as Ann Coulter when she was writing a book a year, but the research and citations are just as good.
It's a quick read - about 250 pages in hardcover, if you can find it, which leads to another important point. I went to my local Books-a-Million in the most conservative county in Georgia and saw it nowhere. I had to ask a sad, young clerk for help. She went to the back and found the only copy in the store. At the time it was No.4 on the Amazon bestseller list. That example proves much of Buck's thesis. When you hide information, when you control all narratives, it is easy to move populations.
Don't fall for it. Buy this book, read it, digest it, and avoid the delusional manipulation in your life. You will be happier and we will all be better for it.
February 26, 2026
Great explanation using examples from the past and behavioral science
I thought I understood brainwashing and indoctrination from my or time in the military. But this book really explained how it works with a lot of detailed examples. Especially useful to read the Instructions used by Dictators in the past to control people.
I thought I understood brainwashing and indoctrination from my or time in the military. But this book really explained how it works with a lot of detailed examples. Especially useful to read the Instructions used by Dictators in the past to control people.
February 22, 2026
Excellent book on the history of mass mind control through out the decades. Covers many countries and topics like Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, the French Revolution, cults, North Africa, the environment and Covid. It was a little depressing to remember the worst of human history but a great read.
February 24, 2026
A lot of food for thought
Very well written and an easy read filled with historical evidence. The speculation regarding AI is frightening as it should be. My conclusion is, question everything, which I hope I always do.
Very well written and an easy read filled with historical evidence. The speculation regarding AI is frightening as it should be. My conclusion is, question everything, which I hope I always do.
February 24, 2026
As great book on what is happening to you!
Buck describes how millions of people have had their minds altered and how it has been done through out history.
If you know how it is done you will find be able to protect yourself your family from mass delusion.
Buck describes how millions of people have had their minds altered and how it has been done through out history.
If you know how it is done you will find be able to protect yourself your family from mass delusion.
February 23, 2026
Worthwhile
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews