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The Playbook: How to Deny Science, Sell Lies, and Make a Killing in the Corporate World
'This brilliantly subversive and witty book lays bare the techniques of manipulation and disinformation that keep the rich and powerful rich and powerful. . . A landmark book' Brian Eno'Very funny, as satire should be, until you realise it's deadly serious' Adam Rutherford, BBC Radio 4 Start the WeekKnowledge is power. Which is why the rich and powerful don't want you to have it.The Playbook is an exposé of the extraordinary lengths that corporations will go to in order to spread disinformation and deny the scientific facts - around climate change, public health risks and worker safety - when they don't suit their agenda.Written in the form of a corporate handbook for tobacco, oil and pharmaceutical company executives, it is a litany of obfuscation techniques, denial, delays and outright lies, how to recruit an academic 'expert' who is willing to compromise their integrity (or is just short of cash), how to massage the statistics, how to use legal and even physical intimidation against reporters and activists, and how, just as in a casino, to keep your customers comfortable, unquestioning, unthinking and playing along for as long as possible.Part satire, part social history, part guide to resistance, The Playbook is a charge sheet against the powerful. It shows us how, by understanding the methods and motives of disinformation campaigns, we may be able to outwit them.
206 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2022
25 people are currently reading
659 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 30, 2022
The Playbook is a nonfiction book about how corporations deny science in order to make money, told in the format of a playbook aimed at these corporations telling them about all the techniques that can be used. The book explores concepts like engaging with academics and PR companies, dealing with statistics, and reframing arguments, as well as having a satirical glossary that looks at how particular words and ideas are used in this fight.
This is high concept nonfiction that combines facts with satire, combining many actual business practices with a mocking tone in order to engage people with a topic that could come across as quite dry. I liked the concept and it did make the book easily digestible, though sometimes the tone would grate a bit. Due to the presentation as a playbook, there is more of a focus on what and how rather than why, so the book is a useful exposition but doesn't offer analysis of what could be done to combat these techniques, if anything.
This is high concept nonfiction that combines facts with satire, combining many actual business practices with a mocking tone in order to engage people with a topic that could come across as quite dry. I liked the concept and it did make the book easily digestible, though sometimes the tone would grate a bit. Due to the presentation as a playbook, there is more of a focus on what and how rather than why, so the book is a useful exposition but doesn't offer analysis of what could be done to combat these techniques, if anything.
August 3, 2022
The Playbook was such a fun spin on your typical nonfiction book. What could have been a perfectly interesting study on the rationale behind scientific disinformation was instead written as a step-by-step handbook for corporate executives. Chapters discussed the best ways to assign blame, using legal intimidation to squash down the "facts" different than your own agenda, and tons more.
The obvious satire was an entertaining way to digest the information, but there were countless fascinating real-life events that made the book even more engaging (and alarming). My only wish is that these anecdotes could have been explored deeper, but even so, it worked well within the format.
The obvious satire was an entertaining way to digest the information, but there were countless fascinating real-life events that made the book even more engaging (and alarming). My only wish is that these anecdotes could have been explored deeper, but even so, it worked well within the format.
July 25, 2022
Thank you to Pantheon for the finished copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.
This is satirical nonfiction at its best. Framed as a second person, how-to guide, it details all the steps necessary for corporations to create doubt in science and stop policies and regulations that might hurt their bottom line.
It is extremely well sourced with extensive notes. The book tells the history of industry manipulation. It made me consider some techniques that I had never heard of or noticed before, particularly around how to challenge policies when it's tough to challenge the science. The final chapter suggested some upcoming changes that might make these corporate tactics more difficult.
The case studies were clear and helped further the point that these tactics are regularly employed by a variety of industries. I only wished that they were a bit easier to read, as I didn't like the switch to white text on a black background.
I would recommend everyone read this and then take a really cynical look at their beliefs about policy regulations and where they come from. But I hope that people get that it's satire. Otherwise, it could too easily continue to be the playbook that industries use to promote ignorance.
4.5 stars rounded up
This is satirical nonfiction at its best. Framed as a second person, how-to guide, it details all the steps necessary for corporations to create doubt in science and stop policies and regulations that might hurt their bottom line.
It is extremely well sourced with extensive notes. The book tells the history of industry manipulation. It made me consider some techniques that I had never heard of or noticed before, particularly around how to challenge policies when it's tough to challenge the science. The final chapter suggested some upcoming changes that might make these corporate tactics more difficult.
The case studies were clear and helped further the point that these tactics are regularly employed by a variety of industries. I only wished that they were a bit easier to read, as I didn't like the switch to white text on a black background.
I would recommend everyone read this and then take a really cynical look at their beliefs about policy regulations and where they come from. But I hope that people get that it's satire. Otherwise, it could too easily continue to be the playbook that industries use to promote ignorance.
4.5 stars rounded up
August 11, 2022
4.5 rounded up. Reading The Playbook: How to Deny Science, Sell Lies, and Make a Killing in the Corporate World by Jennifer Jacquet was at times infuriating, other times really sad, sometimes funny. This short non-fiction book has an interesting format. It's a satirical "playbook" for corporations, detailing all the tricks to avoid science and its accompanying regulations.
I already knew that money rules the world, but this book opened my eyes to a few things. Firstly, that a lot of scientists are being bought out by companies. Not outright, but effectively, a lot of research and PhD are being funded by industry. With a few caveats, such as, if the results are not what that corporations need or want, then they can often ask these scientists to rerun the study, or to buy the results.
You think I'm exaggerating?
Ask yourself why it took so many decades for tobacco ads to be banned, for smoking and cancer to be directly linked.
Ask yourself why fossil fuels companies continue to make so much profit despite them being well aware of their devastating impact on the planet, since the 70s.
Ask yourself why fish are about to disappear from the ocean, and why meat consumption is on the rise despite the many studies linking the cattle industry to cancer and deforestation.
There is so much in this book which is pretty scary yet not that surprising. Governments and the media are often complicit; for example giving as much importance, exposure or even protection to inaccurate studies or dangerous, biased ideas. Why? Because it creates controversy, clicks, votes… I won't really go into much more detail, but I highly recommend picking this up. It is an addictive read about politics, science, and PR.
The only caveat is that there aren't many explanations as to why we are still in this mess decades after realising that most corporations are evil entities, putting profit before everything. A takedown of the American education system, or capitalism, and possible alternatives, would have been interesting. But perhaps that is for another book…!
Thank you @NetGalley and @penguinrandomhouse for a proof copy in exchange of an honest review.
I already knew that money rules the world, but this book opened my eyes to a few things. Firstly, that a lot of scientists are being bought out by companies. Not outright, but effectively, a lot of research and PhD are being funded by industry. With a few caveats, such as, if the results are not what that corporations need or want, then they can often ask these scientists to rerun the study, or to buy the results.
You think I'm exaggerating?
Ask yourself why it took so many decades for tobacco ads to be banned, for smoking and cancer to be directly linked.
Ask yourself why fossil fuels companies continue to make so much profit despite them being well aware of their devastating impact on the planet, since the 70s.
Ask yourself why fish are about to disappear from the ocean, and why meat consumption is on the rise despite the many studies linking the cattle industry to cancer and deforestation.
There is so much in this book which is pretty scary yet not that surprising. Governments and the media are often complicit; for example giving as much importance, exposure or even protection to inaccurate studies or dangerous, biased ideas. Why? Because it creates controversy, clicks, votes… I won't really go into much more detail, but I highly recommend picking this up. It is an addictive read about politics, science, and PR.
The only caveat is that there aren't many explanations as to why we are still in this mess decades after realising that most corporations are evil entities, putting profit before everything. A takedown of the American education system, or capitalism, and possible alternatives, would have been interesting. But perhaps that is for another book…!
Thank you @NetGalley and @penguinrandomhouse for a proof copy in exchange of an honest review.
December 5, 2022
So good. A must-read for anyone concerned about disinformation and/or general politics today.
July 15, 2022
I absolutely loved Jennifer’s previous book Is Shame Necessary?, so I was super excited when I saw she had a new book that just came out. This book is phenomenal, and I binged it in about a day. This book is short and direct, and it’s a great introduction to people who are unaware about how much big money influences science and our policies. There’s so much corruption going on and money flowing into scientific research and what the public is sold, but so many people are unaware.
Although I’m familiar with this topic, I definitely gained a ton of value from this book. For those of us who are aware of this type of manipulation. Jacquet takes an interesting angle that not only informs the reader, but it’s unique and kind of funny (in a scary way). After explaining the problems with how those in power are manipulating science and data, she gives you the playbook like you’re one of them. She tells you all of the dirty tricks to play to discredit actual scientists or how to be a corrupt researcher and pretend like you’ve done nothing wrong.
This is a much-needed book because this has been going on for decades, but it doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
Although I’m familiar with this topic, I definitely gained a ton of value from this book. For those of us who are aware of this type of manipulation. Jacquet takes an interesting angle that not only informs the reader, but it’s unique and kind of funny (in a scary way). After explaining the problems with how those in power are manipulating science and data, she gives you the playbook like you’re one of them. She tells you all of the dirty tricks to play to discredit actual scientists or how to be a corrupt researcher and pretend like you’ve done nothing wrong.
This is a much-needed book because this has been going on for decades, but it doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
February 26, 2025
Solid primer on corporate strategies to combat bad press presented in a fun and digestible form. Well done!
August 23, 2022
I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher after winning a giveaway on Instagram. The Playbook is a facetious guide for "The Corporation" on how to successfully deny, dismiss, and downplay scientific knowledge. Within these pages, Jacquet provides a framework offering creative tactics on how to choose money over truth. She then provides an array of examples from the past century of how the tobacco industry, meat/dairy/seafood industry, and fossil-fuel industry (among others) have been successful at creating a culture of disinformation as well as distrust of authority and government regulation, where everyone is an "expert" whose opinion should matter more than the actual science. How long have we known cigarettes are deadly to humans? A long time, but not as long as the cigarette industry has known. Since I read a lot on this topic, it wasn't super surprising to see the lengths industry has gone in order to keep our Capitalist society thriving, although I found the approach to the writing unique and fun. Instead of your typical investigative reporting that is blunt and scathing, this one is flippant and nonchalant, and it adds to the overall theme of the book that anything is possible when you just deny and lie! When you peel back the layers of this book you find it is an expose on how hard corporations have worked to push back on scientific research in order to trick you. I recommend this book to everyone, as you may learn a little bit about how funding resources and industry oversight have stunted our collective repository of scientific knowledge.
November 4, 2023
This is a supremely hard read, firstly because of the style i.e. because it is written in deepdive corporate-speak, but most importantly since the detail and the real-life dismissal & downright downplaying/ subversion of the science in order to fundamentally support the fiduciary targets (see chapter one) of the Corporation, is so f**king depressing.
This feels like a real guide on how to undermine the very important fight against the venal, greedy and profit-hungry multinationals that span the globe, because it is written with so many details of actual events and quotes that have been used to scupper attempts to slow down the climate emergency we find ourselves in...
I can't imagine how difficult for Jennifer Jacquet it would have been to write.
This feels like a real guide on how to undermine the very important fight against the venal, greedy and profit-hungry multinationals that span the globe, because it is written with so many details of actual events and quotes that have been used to scupper attempts to slow down the climate emergency we find ourselves in...
I can't imagine how difficult for Jennifer Jacquet it would have been to write.
July 29, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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The Playbook is a non-fiction satirical attempt to showcase the ways in which corporations use science to undermine democracy, harm public health and just generally be evil. While the content was interesting, the book was a bit of an information overload and the writing style didn't help that. I'd also have appreciated a bit more querying of the idea that scientists are apolitical and that's why they often don't notice that they're being paid off, as this seemed overly simplistic. I really enjoyed the last chapter, however, and the meta-style ending worked well.
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The Playbook is a non-fiction satirical attempt to showcase the ways in which corporations use science to undermine democracy, harm public health and just generally be evil. While the content was interesting, the book was a bit of an information overload and the writing style didn't help that. I'd also have appreciated a bit more querying of the idea that scientists are apolitical and that's why they often don't notice that they're being paid off, as this seemed overly simplistic. I really enjoyed the last chapter, however, and the meta-style ending worked well.
September 1, 2022
A detailed, in-depth view of the cynicism of the big science-denying companies.
The key thing to keep in mind is every decade, year or even month gained by stalling the scientific process gets translated in billion dollars in profit. It's all about time, because time is all about money.
In this book, you will find the exhaustive list of tactics used by companies to gain time, with concrete, nominative examples. Chances are you will hate this world even more after finishing the book. But you have to read it.
The key thing to keep in mind is every decade, year or even month gained by stalling the scientific process gets translated in billion dollars in profit. It's all about time, because time is all about money.
In this book, you will find the exhaustive list of tactics used by companies to gain time, with concrete, nominative examples. Chances are you will hate this world even more after finishing the book. But you have to read it.
June 2, 2025
A corporation is bound not by conscience, but by fiduciary duty. When scientific evidence threatens the marketability of a product, action must be taken to protect shareholder value. The Playbook outlines strategies for eroding scientific authority and delaying restrictive policy. Corporations victimized by public health “witch hunts”—asbestos, tobacco, pharma, and gambling—are the perennial victims of regulatory overreach. In industries where public trust is optional and profit is non-negotiable, The Playbook isn’t just satire—it’s standard operating procedure.
August 31, 2025
If only everyone was familiar with how corporations are inherently incentivized to obfuscate, deny or challenge science and equipped with how to counter the growth of corporate disinformation. Jacquet's coverage is excellent and comprehensive without being too technical.
The tone, writing and short length of this book make it an easy and compelling read. Highly recommend picking it up (or listening to it).
The tone, writing and short length of this book make it an easy and compelling read. Highly recommend picking it up (or listening to it).
Read
August 28, 2022My interview with Professor Jennifer Jacquet, author of "The Playbook":
360: Jennifer Jacquet | Corporate Entities Subverting The Common Good In “The Playbook”
360: Jennifer Jacquet | Corporate Entities Subverting The Common Good In “The Playbook”
November 27, 2022
Quick impressions: From the table of contents, readers can readily see they key topics a corporate executive needs to know how to deal with pesky journalists, activists, and other assorted troublemakers that could put their corporate stock price at risk.
(A full review with additional reading notes will be on my blog soon.)
(A full review with additional reading notes will be on my blog soon.)
December 23, 2023
This book made me question life and how big corporations are full of S&%T in most cases, and do PR activities just to make themselves look more holy and caring.
It made me want to move to the woods, disconnect the internet and live in isolation.
If you read this book, you may question society and the role of big companies in this world, and especially the role of PR.
It made me want to move to the woods, disconnect the internet and live in isolation.
If you read this book, you may question society and the role of big companies in this world, and especially the role of PR.
October 7, 2022
Written as a “playbook” or HOW TO, this book describes the craven greed in the corporate world. It describes ways to lie, cheat, and steal in order to make money - ways to communicate. It’s horrifying and so well done. Thanks to Pantheon/Random House for the copy. Terrifying.
January 25, 2023
HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO LIVE LOVE LAUGH UNDER THESE CONDITIONS? It's already so annoying knowing half of what you read is bullshit not including intentional bullshitting claiming bullshit on true things etc. I hate this world. Capitalism really needs to get out of my house and life.
October 23, 2023
Just ok. But would not read again
October 17, 2022
The playbook exposes the secrets of the corporation and universities on the cover up.
Focused on the tobacco, fisheries, oil, health and environment this book exposes how the industry gets around the science. I found the revelations shocking but not really surprising.
Stories and examples are based in the USA.
Not my usual genre but an interesting read that did spark my curiosity and makes me wonder what else don’t we know?
Focused on the tobacco, fisheries, oil, health and environment this book exposes how the industry gets around the science. I found the revelations shocking but not really surprising.
Stories and examples are based in the USA.
Not my usual genre but an interesting read that did spark my curiosity and makes me wonder what else don’t we know?
January 8, 2023
If you ever worked in big corp you will recognise some of the things explained in this book and wonder if there's also the rest.
It's interesting and thought provoking
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
It's interesting and thought provoking
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
August 9, 2022
Pretty terrifying. I guess I knew a lot of it but good to have it spelt out and confirmed.
March 31, 2023
Thought-provoking but I did not like the organization (lots of info gets repeated over and over).
July 18, 2023
An eye-opening if not totally surprising take about how big corporations control society.
I always suspected that such things went on but it is still shocking to see it down in black and white.
I always suspected that such things went on but it is still shocking to see it down in black and white.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews