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How to Win the War on Truth: An Illustrated Guide to How Mistruths Are Sold, Why They Stick, and How to Reclaim Reality
Made to Stick by Chip Heath meets Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe in this illustrated guide to navigating today’s post-truth landscape, filled with examples of modern-day propaganda campaigns.
We’re bombarded with information like never before. Some of it’s true, some of it’s spin, and some of it’s flat-out fake news. And that’s by design. Propaganda helps governments and corporations sell us products, lifestyles, and ideas. Sometimes the agenda is harmless, but other times it’s destructive, and it’s not always easy to spot the difference.
Whether you want to be informed on the issues or debunk misinformation wherever you encounter it, How to Win the War on Truth is here to help. You’ll learn:
• The history of propaganda, from Edward Bernays to Fox News
• Why simple messages are so powerful
• Who profits from propaganda
• How propaganda is manufactured and delivered directly to you
• How to find the truth for yourself
Filled with cleverly illustrated real-world examples of propaganda in all its forms, How to Win the War on Truth will help you see the world with clear eyes for the first time. Because when it comes to preserving democracy and fighting for our rights, it’s essential that we do.
We’re bombarded with information like never before. Some of it’s true, some of it’s spin, and some of it’s flat-out fake news. And that’s by design. Propaganda helps governments and corporations sell us products, lifestyles, and ideas. Sometimes the agenda is harmless, but other times it’s destructive, and it’s not always easy to spot the difference.
Whether you want to be informed on the issues or debunk misinformation wherever you encounter it, How to Win the War on Truth is here to help. You’ll learn:
• The history of propaganda, from Edward Bernays to Fox News
• Why simple messages are so powerful
• Who profits from propaganda
• How propaganda is manufactured and delivered directly to you
• How to find the truth for yourself
Filled with cleverly illustrated real-world examples of propaganda in all its forms, How to Win the War on Truth will help you see the world with clear eyes for the first time. Because when it comes to preserving democracy and fighting for our rights, it’s essential that we do.
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2022
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2062 people want to read
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April 3, 2023Ooooooof.
As much as I loved this book and told tons of people about it at the beginning of my reading experience is as much as it felt like absolute fucking torture to get through the end of it. It started off so well and then just got really muddled and dense and worse in design (which of all formats is absolutely paramount IN COMICS just so we can parse what's going on!).
The biggest problem is that the title and subtitle turn out to have little to do with the actual content of the book, and the other biggest problem is that it (unsurprisingly) falls into a lot of the traps it tells readers not to fall into, particularly that it's not just white men who have valid ideas (I can tell you literally FOUR women and one Latino man who are quoted in this entire book and I am 90% confident that I have not forgotten anyone because I kept rechecking the epigraphs and in-text quotes to be sure, and one of those women was the literal LAST page before the index and acks, and even though I know the book's editor is a woman of color that doesn't count as a quote, she's just an ack mention).
Anyway, I started reading this book and assumed the whole thing was a sort of "here is how propaganda and other rhetorical strategies work and how you can question them/fight against them/etc." Instead, it alternated between that and a relatively leftist but not revolutionary (because a white man who only reads other white men is constitutionally incapable of being truly revolutionary) history of the United States, and while I don't take issue with the facts laid out--I'm not a historian and I didn't take the time to dive into every single citation and do a fact check but between what I already know and the quality and character of the writing I found it overall pretty solid and convincing and reputable, but it took this sort of two steps forward, one step back (plus interludes of the proposed theme of the book based on the title--rhetorical and debate strategies and concepts explained--that made it weirdly repetitive and confusing? By the end I felt like I was drunk: just trying to read through everything, in that way where when you're drunk you're trying to be really careful and deliberate and clear and yet nothing really makes sense no matter how slowly you plod your way through it.
There are some real gems here, and I am absolutely the choir Spitale is preaching to, so I'm not even that hard to please, but I am so very obviously not the target audience even though I'm the choir, because for all that he talks about women and "minorities" and stuff he obviously didn't actually consider us at any point during the writing process. This book is firmly in the Robin DiAngelo leftism camp, and cheers to that because we need those people to convince the white people who won't be convinced by anyone BUT fellow white people, but that also means I'm not obligated to be impressed, and I'm certainly not going to excuse the many extremely egregious and easily avoided blindspots and missteps created by being a white dude who thinks true leftist political work can be achieved by only working with and around other white dudes.
Is this book excellent? Absolutely not. Is it fine-ish? Yeah, but everything in it could be (and probably has been) done better by Last Week Tonight, and I mean that in every way, from format to presentation to underlying worldview to compellingness of the product.
As much as I loved this book and told tons of people about it at the beginning of my reading experience is as much as it felt like absolute fucking torture to get through the end of it. It started off so well and then just got really muddled and dense and worse in design (which of all formats is absolutely paramount IN COMICS just so we can parse what's going on!).
The biggest problem is that the title and subtitle turn out to have little to do with the actual content of the book, and the other biggest problem is that it (unsurprisingly) falls into a lot of the traps it tells readers not to fall into, particularly that it's not just white men who have valid ideas (I can tell you literally FOUR women and one Latino man who are quoted in this entire book and I am 90% confident that I have not forgotten anyone because I kept rechecking the epigraphs and in-text quotes to be sure, and one of those women was the literal LAST page before the index and acks, and even though I know the book's editor is a woman of color that doesn't count as a quote, she's just an ack mention).
Anyway, I started reading this book and assumed the whole thing was a sort of "here is how propaganda and other rhetorical strategies work and how you can question them/fight against them/etc." Instead, it alternated between that and a relatively leftist but not revolutionary (because a white man who only reads other white men is constitutionally incapable of being truly revolutionary) history of the United States, and while I don't take issue with the facts laid out--I'm not a historian and I didn't take the time to dive into every single citation and do a fact check but between what I already know and the quality and character of the writing I found it overall pretty solid and convincing and reputable, but it took this sort of two steps forward, one step back (plus interludes of the proposed theme of the book based on the title--rhetorical and debate strategies and concepts explained--that made it weirdly repetitive and confusing? By the end I felt like I was drunk: just trying to read through everything, in that way where when you're drunk you're trying to be really careful and deliberate and clear and yet nothing really makes sense no matter how slowly you plod your way through it.
There are some real gems here, and I am absolutely the choir Spitale is preaching to, so I'm not even that hard to please, but I am so very obviously not the target audience even though I'm the choir, because for all that he talks about women and "minorities" and stuff he obviously didn't actually consider us at any point during the writing process. This book is firmly in the Robin DiAngelo leftism camp, and cheers to that because we need those people to convince the white people who won't be convinced by anyone BUT fellow white people, but that also means I'm not obligated to be impressed, and I'm certainly not going to excuse the many extremely egregious and easily avoided blindspots and missteps created by being a white dude who thinks true leftist political work can be achieved by only working with and around other white dudes.
Is this book excellent? Absolutely not. Is it fine-ish? Yeah, but everything in it could be (and probably has been) done better by Last Week Tonight, and I mean that in every way, from format to presentation to underlying worldview to compellingness of the product.
October 26, 2022
TITLE: How to Win the War on Truth
AUTHOR: Samuel C Spitale
PUB DATE: 10.25.2022 Now Available
Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath meets Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe in this illustrated guide to navigating today’s post-truth landscape, filled with examples of modern-day propaganda campaigns.
Whether you want to be informed on the issues or debunk misinformation wherever you encounter it, How to Win the War on Truth is here to help. You’ll learn:
📰 The history of propaganda, from Edward Bernays to Fox News
📰 Why simple messages are so powerful
📰 Who profits from propaganda
📰 How propaganda is manufactured and delivered directly to you
📰 How to find the truth for yourself
REVIEW:
With so much propaganda and fake news, How to Win the War on Truth helps how to navigate what’s truth from harmful information and lies. I enjoyed the funny and clever illustrations that gives examples of destructive propagandas. In eight discerning chapters, Spitale educates his readers on how to be media literate covering political and corporate agendas. Amazing information.
AUTHOR: Samuel C Spitale
PUB DATE: 10.25.2022 Now Available
Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath meets Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe in this illustrated guide to navigating today’s post-truth landscape, filled with examples of modern-day propaganda campaigns.
Whether you want to be informed on the issues or debunk misinformation wherever you encounter it, How to Win the War on Truth is here to help. You’ll learn:
📰 The history of propaganda, from Edward Bernays to Fox News
📰 Why simple messages are so powerful
📰 Who profits from propaganda
📰 How propaganda is manufactured and delivered directly to you
📰 How to find the truth for yourself
REVIEW:
With so much propaganda and fake news, How to Win the War on Truth helps how to navigate what’s truth from harmful information and lies. I enjoyed the funny and clever illustrations that gives examples of destructive propagandas. In eight discerning chapters, Spitale educates his readers on how to be media literate covering political and corporate agendas. Amazing information.
January 21, 2023
My thanks to NetGalley and Quirk books for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
I didn't request this book with the hope of giving it a bad review. I really REALLY hoped it was a balanced look at BOTH sides of dividing issues and not a book where one side was clearly the bias with facts/figures/data/emotional manipulation/propaganda siding heavily with the bias, being just another echo chamber and useless for actual calm and reasoned discourse.
My hope, slight as it was, withered and died. I gave it until 37% and then I couldn't take the "we're clearly right, you're clearly wrong AND stupid" smug attitude this book was just oozing.
I decided, before I read anymore and just raised my blood pressure, to check the back and look for the sources of the "facts" this book was acting were the end-all, be-all. That is when I DNF'd, as the bibliography was only a SELECT bibliography.
No, just NO. The English major in me was WRITHING. Show me the sources! I want to be able to go to where you got that information and read it for myself, and follow that back and follow THAT back.
By not showing all of one's sources, it comes across as one of two things, or a combination of 1) plagiarizing or 2) making things up (ie-lying whether intentionally or otherwise).
Also, this book was using emotion VERY strongly to make it's point, which smacks of the very propaganda that the book is allegedly trying to combat and refute.
Hint: using the very thing that you are attempting to dismantle for the opposite side is hypocrisy and weakens your argument considerably. Something else this book is calling the other side.
Now, unless this book is being VERY deep and is trying to use the same methods their opponents are using as a way to teach the reader as they read the book, this book is full of it.
I am being very careful to not state what side this book is coming from and what it is attacking, as that is not my point. I am so angry because
1) it is making an incredibly poor representation of it's side and it's embarrassing. It is only going to make the opposite side point out it's flaws and say "See, they are liars/stupid/hypocrites and what they say can't be believed!", so the opposite side won't engage in a rational, respective dialogue, because this isn't. It's just going to widen the divide and not encourage thoughtful discourse. Those on the opposing side will feel vindicated and those on the side of the book will either feel embarrassed and angry that their side was represented so poorly or echo-chamber lock-step agree without actually thinking objectively and seeing the flaws in this book's reasoning.
2) there ARE nuggets of good points in the 37% of what I read, but the propaganda and faulty thinking just scuttle the good bits and makes it impossible to see.
3) this could have been a book that BRIDGED the gap, rather than keeping the status quo or widening the gap further. That is what I was hoping for and was sorely disappointed.
4) it used SUPER ingenuous comparisons that WERE true, BUT were out of context. Example: stating that there were more of one type of commodity seller than McDonalds. True, but it wasn't comparing two food brands, it was like comparing alcohol stores or car dealerships to McDonalds, there are more alcohol sellers and car dealers than McDonalds TOO. A more honest way for them to look at it would be to compare the commodity in question and ALL hamburger sellers. I'm sure that there are more hamburger sellers out there than ANY type of commodity seller, but I don't know because this book didn't use that comparison, just one that while correct, is severely misleading. (note: they are only discussing types of stores/sellers/dealers in the USA, not anywhere else).
All in all, this was a book that rammed it's philosophy down the throat of the reader. No nuance, no inkling that it was using the very tricks of the trade it was revealing that the other side used, all while pretending that it was being fair and balanced. So not a very self-aware book either, which given the topic, it badly needed to be.
Now, I'm not saying NOT to read this book. It was horribly unbalanced, but it would be a good Rorschach test to see what side the reader is on and if the reader can still think for themselves (both sides).
1, I am so angry because this book could have been, SHOULD have been, so much BETTER than it was, stars.
I didn't request this book with the hope of giving it a bad review. I really REALLY hoped it was a balanced look at BOTH sides of dividing issues and not a book where one side was clearly the bias with facts/figures/data/emotional manipulation/propaganda siding heavily with the bias, being just another echo chamber and useless for actual calm and reasoned discourse.
My hope, slight as it was, withered and died. I gave it until 37% and then I couldn't take the "we're clearly right, you're clearly wrong AND stupid" smug attitude this book was just oozing.
I decided, before I read anymore and just raised my blood pressure, to check the back and look for the sources of the "facts" this book was acting were the end-all, be-all. That is when I DNF'd, as the bibliography was only a SELECT bibliography.
No, just NO. The English major in me was WRITHING. Show me the sources! I want to be able to go to where you got that information and read it for myself, and follow that back and follow THAT back.
By not showing all of one's sources, it comes across as one of two things, or a combination of 1) plagiarizing or 2) making things up (ie-lying whether intentionally or otherwise).
Also, this book was using emotion VERY strongly to make it's point, which smacks of the very propaganda that the book is allegedly trying to combat and refute.
Hint: using the very thing that you are attempting to dismantle for the opposite side is hypocrisy and weakens your argument considerably. Something else this book is calling the other side.
Now, unless this book is being VERY deep and is trying to use the same methods their opponents are using as a way to teach the reader as they read the book, this book is full of it.
I am being very careful to not state what side this book is coming from and what it is attacking, as that is not my point. I am so angry because
1) it is making an incredibly poor representation of it's side and it's embarrassing. It is only going to make the opposite side point out it's flaws and say "See, they are liars/stupid/hypocrites and what they say can't be believed!", so the opposite side won't engage in a rational, respective dialogue, because this isn't. It's just going to widen the divide and not encourage thoughtful discourse. Those on the opposing side will feel vindicated and those on the side of the book will either feel embarrassed and angry that their side was represented so poorly or echo-chamber lock-step agree without actually thinking objectively and seeing the flaws in this book's reasoning.
2) there ARE nuggets of good points in the 37% of what I read, but the propaganda and faulty thinking just scuttle the good bits and makes it impossible to see.
3) this could have been a book that BRIDGED the gap, rather than keeping the status quo or widening the gap further. That is what I was hoping for and was sorely disappointed.
4) it used SUPER ingenuous comparisons that WERE true, BUT were out of context. Example: stating that there were more of one type of commodity seller than McDonalds. True, but it wasn't comparing two food brands, it was like comparing alcohol stores or car dealerships to McDonalds, there are more alcohol sellers and car dealers than McDonalds TOO. A more honest way for them to look at it would be to compare the commodity in question and ALL hamburger sellers. I'm sure that there are more hamburger sellers out there than ANY type of commodity seller, but I don't know because this book didn't use that comparison, just one that while correct, is severely misleading. (note: they are only discussing types of stores/sellers/dealers in the USA, not anywhere else).
All in all, this was a book that rammed it's philosophy down the throat of the reader. No nuance, no inkling that it was using the very tricks of the trade it was revealing that the other side used, all while pretending that it was being fair and balanced. So not a very self-aware book either, which given the topic, it badly needed to be.
Now, I'm not saying NOT to read this book. It was horribly unbalanced, but it would be a good Rorschach test to see what side the reader is on and if the reader can still think for themselves (both sides).
1, I am so angry because this book could have been, SHOULD have been, so much BETTER than it was, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2023
Book 11/52 for 2023. I want to give this book a 5, but I can't because it is far too light on answering how one actually finds truth. What tools should an individual be deploying day after day to deal with the onslaught of falsehoods being generated via marketing, lobbying, PRing, and general politicking? I feel as though I can read through the content and make my own assertions as to how to do this, but honestly I just want some strategies that I could have summarized here. I get the idea of slow thinking, aka critical thinking, and the book certainly equips me with knowledge to understand the need to go deeper. What I would have loved to hear more about is how so I could support my discussions with friends and family who share views that ultimately hurt them. That said, the content in the book is strong in terms of understanding how marketing and politics works and the awesome illustrations drive home points. I do think the book is valuable enough that I did buy it as a future reference.
I would like to add that I am disappointed with how the references were laid out. I appreciate citations so I know sources as I go. That or having the references organized by chapter would at the very least help me know where material is coming from.
I would like to add that I am disappointed with how the references were laid out. I appreciate citations so I know sources as I go. That or having the references organized by chapter would at the very least help me know where material is coming from.
September 20, 2023
1.5 stars, really, because there were some interesting facts there... but, you know, I picked up this because it was advertised as a graphic novel, when in reality we end up with a textbook with some illustrations, very dense in content, and, what's worse, too one sided to really work any magic (even if the aforementioned side is my preferred one).
Let's be honest, this book just practically shows a number of the same tactics it prevents against, and that kind of makes you doubt everything said in it...
So yeah... good intentions, bad execution.
Let's be honest, this book just practically shows a number of the same tactics it prevents against, and that kind of makes you doubt everything said in it...
So yeah... good intentions, bad execution.
May 27, 2023
This book has lots of details about propaganda, and definitely helped me with understanding more than I already did! Awesome book! I would recommend it to someone who likes books about real things (non-fiction) and wants to know more about how to deal with the world and its tricks.
5 stars 🤩
5 stars 🤩
November 21, 2022
What is truth? Is there an absolute Truth with a capital T or is all true relative based on how many people believe it? Is there an organized assault on truth or is this just the result of a very frenzied "marketplace of ideas?" Interested? Read on!
Samuel Spitale is fervent in his belief that objective truth is under attack. He has come to the conclusion that the United States and other countries have evolved into a post-truth nation where facts matter less than appeals to emotion and personal beliefs. He is among the thinking majority that believe this is a dangerous state of being. So he conceived of How to Win the War on Truth as a means of educating the reader on tools to recognize when they are being manipulated and how to fight back in eight chapters. Chapter 1: Propagating the Faith delves into the history and process of propaganda, public relations and advertising. Chapter 2: Cutting Out Complexity examines how a complex situation is reduced to a simple either or choice. Chapter 3: Bias and the Brain sheds light on how the lenses we view the world are wired and how these lenses can be manipulated. Chapter 4: Emotional Manipulation checks out how propaganda uses people's emotions to take action. Chapter 5: Dividing and Conquering (An Audience) looks at the use of stereotypes to separate folks into "us vs them" groups. Chapter 6: Power, Profit, and Propaganda slices into the use of propaganda by corporations to increase their influence and bottom line. Chapter 7: Propaganda Techniques lays out the tools used in propaganda. Chapter 8: The Southern Strategy provides a case study in the use of propaganda in the service of politics.
Samuel Spitale in How to Win the War on Truth provides a passionate plea for readers to be media literate, not passive media consumers. His point of view is clear to any discerning reader, but he does not ask for blind faith, rather he provides activities that allow the reader to participate in their own education. If you have an interest in thinking about stories, politics, and/or life, take the time to carefully read this book!
Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title!
Samuel Spitale is fervent in his belief that objective truth is under attack. He has come to the conclusion that the United States and other countries have evolved into a post-truth nation where facts matter less than appeals to emotion and personal beliefs. He is among the thinking majority that believe this is a dangerous state of being. So he conceived of How to Win the War on Truth as a means of educating the reader on tools to recognize when they are being manipulated and how to fight back in eight chapters. Chapter 1: Propagating the Faith delves into the history and process of propaganda, public relations and advertising. Chapter 2: Cutting Out Complexity examines how a complex situation is reduced to a simple either or choice. Chapter 3: Bias and the Brain sheds light on how the lenses we view the world are wired and how these lenses can be manipulated. Chapter 4: Emotional Manipulation checks out how propaganda uses people's emotions to take action. Chapter 5: Dividing and Conquering (An Audience) looks at the use of stereotypes to separate folks into "us vs them" groups. Chapter 6: Power, Profit, and Propaganda slices into the use of propaganda by corporations to increase their influence and bottom line. Chapter 7: Propaganda Techniques lays out the tools used in propaganda. Chapter 8: The Southern Strategy provides a case study in the use of propaganda in the service of politics.
Samuel Spitale in How to Win the War on Truth provides a passionate plea for readers to be media literate, not passive media consumers. His point of view is clear to any discerning reader, but he does not ask for blind faith, rather he provides activities that allow the reader to participate in their own education. If you have an interest in thinking about stories, politics, and/or life, take the time to carefully read this book!
Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title!
May 5, 2025
Deeply ironic that a book about the war on truth has a misleading title. I came looking for a perspective on today’s information landscape, misinformation… maybe even a thoughtful critique on communications. This is 10% those things; 90% a treatise on the author’s views on capitalism and the Republican party (spoiler: he deeply dislikes both, and utterly detests Reagan). That’s fine if that’s what you come looking for, but for the book to warrant this title they need to swap the 10 and 90 around. I would have quit half way through but I have a weird aversion to doing that, so I just sat and got madder and madder as the book went on and on about the downside of policy decision after policy decision.
The 10% of the book that’s on topic is decent, which earns this two stars instead of one.
The 10% of the book that’s on topic is decent, which earns this two stars instead of one.
March 21, 2023
Absolutely brutal.
October 6, 2022
How to Win the War on Truth is an excellent resource to help anyone build their critical reading skills.
Author Samuel Spitale and artist Allan Whincup explore a variety of ways and means that our attention and thoughts and memories are manipulated or coerced by propaganda. Spitale begins by discussing the infamous McDonald's hot coffee incident, where the victim was severely burned and hospitalized. Instead of receiving sympathy, the victim become a punchline for a frivolous lawsuit. This case begins our discussion and is referred to several times later, but also discussed are: the war on drugs, the history and development of Fox news, the health risks of sugar, marketing campaign, the US-Iraq War begun in 2003 and many other topics.
Each of the 8 chapters looks at a different method or technique of propaganda and examples of its effective usage. Whincup's illustrations serve to both break up the text and to draw attention to specific key points.
A book perfect for middle school and higher that encourages us to always ask the question "Why are the telling me this?"
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
Author Samuel Spitale and artist Allan Whincup explore a variety of ways and means that our attention and thoughts and memories are manipulated or coerced by propaganda. Spitale begins by discussing the infamous McDonald's hot coffee incident, where the victim was severely burned and hospitalized. Instead of receiving sympathy, the victim become a punchline for a frivolous lawsuit. This case begins our discussion and is referred to several times later, but also discussed are: the war on drugs, the history and development of Fox news, the health risks of sugar, marketing campaign, the US-Iraq War begun in 2003 and many other topics.
Each of the 8 chapters looks at a different method or technique of propaganda and examples of its effective usage. Whincup's illustrations serve to both break up the text and to draw attention to specific key points.
A book perfect for middle school and higher that encourages us to always ask the question "Why are the telling me this?"
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
June 23, 2023
I initially bought this book because it looked like a graphic novel about how to win the war on truth and I thought it would be a quick read on the subject. However, it would be truer to say that it's a heavily-illustrated textbook on the different ways truth can be manipulated, how we can recognise propaganda and fake news, and why so many people can be misled. There's a lot more information than I was expecting, but that was a good thing.
The author draws heavily from areas such as advertising, business, psychology and neuroscience to show how propaganda works and how we are wired to accept or reject certain kinds of information. He takes complicated information and explains it in a way that is more easily understood. The illustrations and graphs by Allan Whincup were very helpful. There are lots of historical examples and case studies to show that fake news and propaganda are nothing new, but how certain situations in the last 50 years have made it an increasing problem.
As the author is American, most of the examples are from business and politics in the US. In terms of politics, there are lots of examples from the administrations of Nixon, Reagan and Trump in particular. Spitale is more on the left of politics, which I didn't mind, though some who are more on the right of politics may not like some of the examples as much. In the interests of balance, it would have been good if he had also used some more examples from the other side of politics, such as the problems in the Clinton administration. Still, the techniques and principles behind explaining the examples could be applied to other situations. I found it both illuminating and frightening.
The title is a bit misleading, as there isn't much on HOW to win the war on truth. I guess the idea is that if you know how to judge the truthfulness of information and you know how it is manipulated, then you're better able to guard against it. There's a selected bibliography in the back, but you have to go to the website to get the full list and all of the art credits. I can understand why it's not all in the book, as it runs to 60 pages, but it's not as convenient having it in a different location. He gives some footnotes and reference information in the text, but a lot of material isn't annotated, so it's not clear where some of it comes from. I thought this might be on the website, but you have to go through the bibliography yourself. I would have liked to see a clear list of footnotes. An index also would have been helpful. There are some resources for teachers on the website too.
On the whole, I thought it was an extremely valuable book. I had initially borrowed it from my library, but it was so full of useful information, that I bought my own copy so I could underline bits and pieces. I'll be referring to it again and again. Packed with useful content we all need to hear. It just would have been better if the references could have been more easily identified and if there were a few more examples from other viewpoints. Still, I found it helpful.
The author draws heavily from areas such as advertising, business, psychology and neuroscience to show how propaganda works and how we are wired to accept or reject certain kinds of information. He takes complicated information and explains it in a way that is more easily understood. The illustrations and graphs by Allan Whincup were very helpful. There are lots of historical examples and case studies to show that fake news and propaganda are nothing new, but how certain situations in the last 50 years have made it an increasing problem.
As the author is American, most of the examples are from business and politics in the US. In terms of politics, there are lots of examples from the administrations of Nixon, Reagan and Trump in particular. Spitale is more on the left of politics, which I didn't mind, though some who are more on the right of politics may not like some of the examples as much. In the interests of balance, it would have been good if he had also used some more examples from the other side of politics, such as the problems in the Clinton administration. Still, the techniques and principles behind explaining the examples could be applied to other situations. I found it both illuminating and frightening.
The title is a bit misleading, as there isn't much on HOW to win the war on truth. I guess the idea is that if you know how to judge the truthfulness of information and you know how it is manipulated, then you're better able to guard against it. There's a selected bibliography in the back, but you have to go to the website to get the full list and all of the art credits. I can understand why it's not all in the book, as it runs to 60 pages, but it's not as convenient having it in a different location. He gives some footnotes and reference information in the text, but a lot of material isn't annotated, so it's not clear where some of it comes from. I thought this might be on the website, but you have to go through the bibliography yourself. I would have liked to see a clear list of footnotes. An index also would have been helpful. There are some resources for teachers on the website too.
On the whole, I thought it was an extremely valuable book. I had initially borrowed it from my library, but it was so full of useful information, that I bought my own copy so I could underline bits and pieces. I'll be referring to it again and again. Packed with useful content we all need to hear. It just would have been better if the references could have been more easily identified and if there were a few more examples from other viewpoints. Still, I found it helpful.
April 1, 2025
"How to Win the War on Truth" is a book packed with valuable insights, but its title and content feel mismatched. A more fitting title might be "How to Win the Republican War on Truth." As a lifelong Republican, I’ve grown increasingly frustrated and angry with how my party has manipulated and ignored the truth. The book rightly highlights that truth is under attack and does an excellent job explaining how misinformation, disinformation, and lies are spread. It also exposes numerous examples of Republicans engaging in these practices. While many of these examples are reasonably fair and accurate, some are exaggerated or based on questionable interpretations of Republican actions. At times, the author himself seems guilty of spreading mistruths.
One glaring issue is the book’s almost complete lack of examples showing how Democrats push mistruths. Out of the 100 examples (a rough estimate) of misinformation in the book, you’d be hard-pressed to find more than three that involve Democrats. This one-sidedness raises troubling questions about the author’s intentions. Either he is so biased that he genuinely believes Republicans are solely responsible for twisting the truth, or he has deliberately misled readers with the title to boost sales. Neither possibility reflects well on the author.
Of course, you don’t have to take my word for it. Everyone views the world through their own lens, and my perspective is no exception. I encourage you to read the book yourself. Despite its flaws, it contains enough important information to make it worth your time. Just approach it with a healthy dose of skepticism.
One glaring issue is the book’s almost complete lack of examples showing how Democrats push mistruths. Out of the 100 examples (a rough estimate) of misinformation in the book, you’d be hard-pressed to find more than three that involve Democrats. This one-sidedness raises troubling questions about the author’s intentions. Either he is so biased that he genuinely believes Republicans are solely responsible for twisting the truth, or he has deliberately misled readers with the title to boost sales. Neither possibility reflects well on the author.
Of course, you don’t have to take my word for it. Everyone views the world through their own lens, and my perspective is no exception. I encourage you to read the book yourself. Despite its flaws, it contains enough important information to make it worth your time. Just approach it with a healthy dose of skepticism.
October 29, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. Does a good job of addressing the many shortcomings of our current state of tribal politics. The emotional attachment to our tribal identity makes us more resistant to counter narratives, critical thinking, and objective facts. It alienates us from the rest of society. When political demagogues rally their party around racial, ethnic, or religious identity instead of a set of policies they make it impossible for voters to change their party loyalty as they neglect compromise in pursuit of an agenda that excludes other groups. When this happens politics goes from what's being best for the society to what's best only for the tribe. Propaganda relies on black and white narratives devoid of nuance that appeal to our prejudgments or prejudices. These prejudices are often represented by stereotypes that come from priming and confirmation bias. People who share these, sort themselves into groups of like minded people. This creates ideologs who get pitted against each other for political gain. This becomes Identity politics. Power managers exploit this creating an us versus them mindset which makes us devalue those that are different and justifies how poorly we treat them. If you think this is only occurring on one side of the political spectrum then maybe that's the place to start looking. A very aptly included quote was included about what is currently going on: "I use emotion for the many, and reserve reason/truth for the few"--Adolf Hitler. A good book that really had a lot of good examples and things to think about.
February 4, 2023
How To Win The War On Truth
This illustrated guide is really well done and very, very current. There is so much information on propaganda techniques with lots of historical and current examples. I just wish I would be able to remember all of its content so that I could debate more effectively. However, IMHO, people won’t be swayed by reasoning from their beliefs. At least not in the short term. I really am not very hopeful for the United States.
Taken from the book’s conclusion:
The distinction between education and propaganda: one changes minds, the other changes emotions. While education can open our eyes, propaganda closes them. While education can lead to enlightenment, propaganda blinds us to the truth.
Propaganda replaces thinking with believing, facts with faith, and truth with myth. It overrides reason by invoking irrational fears and tribal anger, eroding empathy, silencing debate, and leaving a path of misinformation and in its wake.
Propaganda is now so widespread that the nonprofit RAND corporation has given its damage a name: truth decay. It is defined by four converging, trends:
1. Increasing disagreement about facts and data, which erodes civil discourse
2. A blurring of the line between fact and opinion, which leads to political paralysis
3. The increasing influence of opinion over facts, creating alienation and disengagement
4. Declining trust in respecting sources of information, common greeting uncertainty
This illustrated guide is really well done and very, very current. There is so much information on propaganda techniques with lots of historical and current examples. I just wish I would be able to remember all of its content so that I could debate more effectively. However, IMHO, people won’t be swayed by reasoning from their beliefs. At least not in the short term. I really am not very hopeful for the United States.
Taken from the book’s conclusion:
The distinction between education and propaganda: one changes minds, the other changes emotions. While education can open our eyes, propaganda closes them. While education can lead to enlightenment, propaganda blinds us to the truth.
Propaganda replaces thinking with believing, facts with faith, and truth with myth. It overrides reason by invoking irrational fears and tribal anger, eroding empathy, silencing debate, and leaving a path of misinformation and in its wake.
Propaganda is now so widespread that the nonprofit RAND corporation has given its damage a name: truth decay. It is defined by four converging, trends:
1. Increasing disagreement about facts and data, which erodes civil discourse
2. A blurring of the line between fact and opinion, which leads to political paralysis
3. The increasing influence of opinion over facts, creating alienation and disengagement
4. Declining trust in respecting sources of information, common greeting uncertainty
March 31, 2023
This is another splendid reminder that being educated about human cognitive biases does not make one immune to that part of the human condition.
I recommend not wasting your time with this book. The author is not intellectually honest and refuses to acknowledge the propaganda used to support his preferred political and cultural positions; he prefers only to excoriate as many of his perceived opponents as possible. While the author makes many true statements about the nature and intent of propaganda and describes many nefarious uses of it, his ideological blindness results in a rather useless artifact that constantly mixes fact and fiction. He really does exhibit a thorough understanding of the techniques of manipulation.
Mr. Spitale, please rise above the manufactured right/left divide and learn how to find common ground with people you disagree with politically instead of preaching at them. Go learn a bit about street epistemology. Maybe read Jonathan Haidt's The Righteous Mind.
I suppose this could be used by a person learning about logic, rhetoric, and propaganda as an exercise in identifying flaws/techniques, but it is much too tedious for my taste.
TLDR: This is a fantastic troll - it poses as a primer on critical thinking but is only a celebration of his echo chamber amplified with exquisite rhetorical flourishes on his own manipulations of data and anecdotes.
I recommend not wasting your time with this book. The author is not intellectually honest and refuses to acknowledge the propaganda used to support his preferred political and cultural positions; he prefers only to excoriate as many of his perceived opponents as possible. While the author makes many true statements about the nature and intent of propaganda and describes many nefarious uses of it, his ideological blindness results in a rather useless artifact that constantly mixes fact and fiction. He really does exhibit a thorough understanding of the techniques of manipulation.
Mr. Spitale, please rise above the manufactured right/left divide and learn how to find common ground with people you disagree with politically instead of preaching at them. Go learn a bit about street epistemology. Maybe read Jonathan Haidt's The Righteous Mind.
I suppose this could be used by a person learning about logic, rhetoric, and propaganda as an exercise in identifying flaws/techniques, but it is much too tedious for my taste.
TLDR: This is a fantastic troll - it poses as a primer on critical thinking but is only a celebration of his echo chamber amplified with exquisite rhetorical flourishes on his own manipulations of data and anecdotes.
December 3, 2023
In full disclosure, I read an advance reader copy, so final edits were not in my version.
The book started strong and was quite educational. The first half-2/3rds would make a great 'out of the box' textbook for marketing and PR classes or an educational piece for someone looking to influence people, but there were parts that were quite repetitive(which may have just been the author proving one of the techniques discussed earlier in the book) which made the book hard to get through. Unfortunately the last quarter of the book felt like a completely different book and never actually got to the how to reclaim reality part. It was more a review of lies the US public had been fed by the government on a repeat loop and I honestly had trouble reading the same stats over and over again with no real insight which is probably why it took months to read this book for me as I had to keep setting it down.
Oh and I still would love to hear how to reclaim reality as a country as I feel we are further from it now than we were before.
The book started strong and was quite educational. The first half-2/3rds would make a great 'out of the box' textbook for marketing and PR classes or an educational piece for someone looking to influence people, but there were parts that were quite repetitive(which may have just been the author proving one of the techniques discussed earlier in the book) which made the book hard to get through. Unfortunately the last quarter of the book felt like a completely different book and never actually got to the how to reclaim reality part. It was more a review of lies the US public had been fed by the government on a repeat loop and I honestly had trouble reading the same stats over and over again with no real insight which is probably why it took months to read this book for me as I had to keep setting it down.
Oh and I still would love to hear how to reclaim reality as a country as I feel we are further from it now than we were before.
October 5, 2022
This was sooo interesting. There were lots of words here--it's more illustrated nonfiction than graphic novel, honestly. It is very organized and detailed and spends a lot of time on the various problems we have with truthfulness in our society. One thing I really liked was the time spent on corporate issues, not just political ones. I think that is a factor we don't often talk about. I am a little concerned that almost all the examples are either business related or right-wing. There are truly more examples there lol. But I worry a tiny bit that some people who might read the book will be turned off by that. I found it personally very convincing, however, and if I still had kids at home I would read and discuss parts with them. We need more good materials to help teach media literacy and this is a good tool, I think. It's very comprehensive and covers a lot
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
October 31, 2022
How To Win The War On Truth is a graphic novel that explores historical examples of how the media, companies, and governments waged misinformation wars on everyday folks. The book also details how to find truths within media lies and educate ourselves to recognise our own susceptibility to misinformation.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE BOOK
The author's use of real-life examples of misinformation and its effects is very educational and exposes how vulnerable even the most discerning of us can be. It shows how good people can turn into monsters based on false convictions fueled by misinformation.
Also, the artwork complements the writing, bringing clarity to a complicated subject.
WHAT I DISLIKE
Nothing.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
This is for adults and young adults keen to learn how to navigate the internet world. It is for those who want to learn how to discriminate when taking in data that is meant to influence us.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE BOOK
The author's use of real-life examples of misinformation and its effects is very educational and exposes how vulnerable even the most discerning of us can be. It shows how good people can turn into monsters based on false convictions fueled by misinformation.
Also, the artwork complements the writing, bringing clarity to a complicated subject.
WHAT I DISLIKE
Nothing.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
This is for adults and young adults keen to learn how to navigate the internet world. It is for those who want to learn how to discriminate when taking in data that is meant to influence us.
January 5, 2023
This book is an interesting start to understanding how marketing and propaganda influence our thinking. Using data and examples, Spitale gives a comprehensive explanation of the vocabulary and methods used to sway people’s opinions. He then focuses the reader's attention on how politics has used similar techniques throughout history, to influence how people vote and act through emotion, rather than through logical thought.
It was at this point, using Spitale’s own reference of, looking at your emotional response, that the reader needs to question the facts because the argument pinpoints the techniques used by the Republican party to win votes.
This is a thought-provoking book. At times, you need to put some effort into following some of the denser passages of writing, but the sketches and diagrams break the wordiness into digestible pieces.
Overall, a great read.
It was at this point, using Spitale’s own reference of, looking at your emotional response, that the reader needs to question the facts because the argument pinpoints the techniques used by the Republican party to win votes.
This is a thought-provoking book. At times, you need to put some effort into following some of the denser passages of writing, but the sketches and diagrams break the wordiness into digestible pieces.
Overall, a great read.
July 3, 2024
The title is misleading. This isn't so much a battle of truth vs lies as it is a battle of propaganda vs democracy vs the non-one-percenters.
Definitely more of a text book vibe (repetitive information, different break downs of the same topic, so many president references I thought I was back in History class).
This feels like it was a guide book for people who are heavily influence by propaganda; to help them see through the falsehoods. From there they can self-reflect and become a better citizen/human of Earth.
I would retitle this something like, "A History of Propaganda and the Effects it has on All of Us".
Definitely more of a text book vibe (repetitive information, different break downs of the same topic, so many president references I thought I was back in History class).
This feels like it was a guide book for people who are heavily influence by propaganda; to help them see through the falsehoods. From there they can self-reflect and become a better citizen/human of Earth.
I would retitle this something like, "A History of Propaganda and the Effects it has on All of Us".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2024
This is one of the best books available to address this serious and growing issue. Author Samuel Spitale and illustrator Allan Whincup provide excellent historical context, several valuable mental models for the reader to use, and the best possible summary of Ronald Reagan's long-term impact on U.S. society, culture and economy. Kodus to the pair to keeping their messaging fact-based and objective. This is another one of those books that would be so valuable if read by graduating high school Seniors, to prepare them the deluge of messaging which will wash over them throughout the rest of their lives.
August 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It would make a great addition to any social studies or marketing class for grades 7th/8th and up through adult.
My only issue, and one of the main reasons it wouldn't actually be added to a classroom setting is that it leans toward a bais. I don't disagree with any of the facts presented over and over, and it would be very easy to prove their truth if every brought into question. That said, it is hard to sell breaking a "us" vs "them" cycle, while telling it in a "us" vs "them" manor.
My only issue, and one of the main reasons it wouldn't actually be added to a classroom setting is that it leans toward a bais. I don't disagree with any of the facts presented over and over, and it would be very easy to prove their truth if every brought into question. That said, it is hard to sell breaking a "us" vs "them" cycle, while telling it in a "us" vs "them" manor.
December 12, 2022
It should have been called, "How to Recognize the War on Truth," since there was very little time spent on how to win. Maybe if we all recognize misinformation we win the war? Forgive me, but I don't see the misinformed reading this book; it requires too much patience to finish, and the misinformed take shortcuts. The material in this book was well presented, densely packed, and even the illustrations were full of nuggets. But in the end it was a bit of a slog because there were just so many examples that felt repetitious.
December 25, 2022
Informative and engaging. Highly recommend. Three quibbles: first, they should have included examples for how the Left uses propaganda, if only to possibly engage more Conservative readers. Second, there are not specific tools to combat misinformation. Seems they think just knowing about it is enough. And yet I think the book itself shows that it’s not. Finally, a few of the spots discussing race and confirmation bias made me wonder who they assume is reading. Overall, though, highly recommend.
May 8, 2024
I liked the book. There was a lot of information. Too much. It became a chore to read and probably should’ve narrowed its scope. Would have been better by picking a lens and sticking to it. Borrowed this from the library and it took way too long.
I do agree with reviewers that he’s offering a one sided definition of truth that is super simplified.
Also the title is a red herring as he didn’t even attempt to answer the premise. It must’ve just sounded good. Which is sad because by seeing the title I was thinking of how I could use it in class.
I do agree with reviewers that he’s offering a one sided definition of truth that is super simplified.
Also the title is a red herring as he didn’t even attempt to answer the premise. It must’ve just sounded good. Which is sad because by seeing the title I was thinking of how I could use it in class.
January 1, 2025
Everyone should read this. It’s dark and depressing as hell, and I knew a lot of it already, but this seemingly unending compendium of all the ways the 99% are getting poorer at the expense of the wealthiest Americans, is an eye opener just for the sheer size of the problem.
By the way, there is no real practical advice on how to win the war. The advice is “become educated” which of course starts with reading this book and understanding how the wealthiest among us have employed lies to keep us pitted against each other while they rob us blind.
By the way, there is no real practical advice on how to win the war. The advice is “become educated” which of course starts with reading this book and understanding how the wealthiest among us have employed lies to keep us pitted against each other while they rob us blind.
November 19, 2022
Well done explanation of how propaganda has taken over what we see as "truth." Easy to digest in small doses, but the overwhelming nature of the subject gets heavy-handed in spots. Would have liked easier access to sources too, especially in a book all about critical thinking in approaching media! Does include great examples and a few useful paradigms to approaching messaging. Might open some eyes... hopefully, anyway.
January 26, 2023
The introduction captured me into reading this wonderful comic-like book. I had no idea what had happened to the McDonald's "too hot" coffee woman. Shame on you, McDonalds and all the entities involved with her suit. Shame on you.
How do we really find the truth? I'm still unclear. Yes. I can tell you various ways we are commonly swayed but where do we find the truth? Keep digging into the internet and ass u me that the truth lies somewhere in between?
sigh.
How do we really find the truth? I'm still unclear. Yes. I can tell you various ways we are commonly swayed but where do we find the truth? Keep digging into the internet and ass u me that the truth lies somewhere in between?
sigh.
September 30, 2023
The title of this book was interesting, but it falls short.
In fact, while it goes through all the ways that truth is threatened, and does this multiple times, it doesn't actually get into what to do about it. So many facts, but none of the promised solutions. Unless the idea is to take the other side's tactics and use them against it? Basically, this book is about naming what a theory is selling, and using the same methods of propaganda that got us into this mess in the first place.
In fact, while it goes through all the ways that truth is threatened, and does this multiple times, it doesn't actually get into what to do about it. So many facts, but none of the promised solutions. Unless the idea is to take the other side's tactics and use them against it? Basically, this book is about naming what a theory is selling, and using the same methods of propaganda that got us into this mess in the first place.
dnf
January 19, 2023I really liked "How to Win the War on Truth," but halfway through it started to feel like a slog because the information became repetitive. The author kept referring back to the same examples. There's definitely good information here, but I don't think it would be a good tool to give to the misinformed. I think the people that will read it already know and understand a lot of the content.
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