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Coercive Persuasion : A Socio-psychological Analysis of the "Brainwashing" of American Civilian Prisoners by the Chinese Communists
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 1980
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December 3, 2015
[Updated: I have come back to finish reading this book, and have completely revised my opinion on it. It's age places it smack in the middle of the Cold War, which means it's closeness to the topic makes for remarkable insights into political mind control and state totalitarianism. This time around, I'm very much enjoying it, tho I'm taking it in small bite-sized chunks because yes, it's still rather dry. But also very heavy and thought-provoking. The parallels to modern politics and religions are incredible.]
This is one of the earliest books written about mind control. As such, it is a valuable book to have in your collection, if you are extremely interested in this topic. However, given its age, the information is out-dated. Also, it is very scholarly and dry. Difficult to get through. I have not completed reading this book, and I may never, unless I decided to dig into this topic further than I already have.
It is based on studies done after brainwashed POWs returned from Korea after the Korean war. These American soldiers had come to identify with, and defend their captors, even though they had been poorly treated. It was the beginning of the realization that people could be "brainwashed". This research proceeded later studies based on the New Religious Movements of the 1960s, many of which came to be understood as cults or high demand groups.
This is one of the earliest books written about mind control. As such, it is a valuable book to have in your collection, if you are extremely interested in this topic. However, given its age, the information is out-dated. Also, it is very scholarly and dry. Difficult to get through. I have not completed reading this book, and I may never, unless I decided to dig into this topic further than I already have.
It is based on studies done after brainwashed POWs returned from Korea after the Korean war. These American soldiers had come to identify with, and defend their captors, even though they had been poorly treated. It was the beginning of the realization that people could be "brainwashed". This research proceeded later studies based on the New Religious Movements of the 1960s, many of which came to be understood as cults or high demand groups.
Displaying 1 of 1 review