86 reviews for:

How to Win an Information War: The Propagandist Who Outwitted Hitler

Peter Pomerantsev

4.12 AVERAGE

train's review against another edition

5.0

informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

---

One of the most fascinating books on propaganda, information games, and human nature that I have ever read. Many quotable passages and anecdotes directly relevant to the times we're living in. Of particular note for me, although not directly mentioned in the book, is the interplay between "propaganda" and "disinformation". Is a form of propaganda still disinformation if it's aligned with the values of Western liberty?

chrizolina's review

3.75

adventurous informative reflective medium-paced

justdoeat's review against another edition

4.5

fast-paced

pslovekelli's review against another edition

3.0

dark informative reflective medium-paced

rhondie's review against another edition

3.0

informative medium-paced

---

Interesting but not revolutionary as the blurb billed it. 

evan_g34's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous hopeful informative medium-paced

---

This might be my favorite book? Wildly engaging, informative, and (perhaps oddly) inspiring

phoebe's review against another edition

3.75

informative medium-paced

lwhayland's review against another edition

3.0

challenging informative medium-paced

---

I liked the information presented, and I was delighted by the similarities drawn to the present. It’s nice to see the present being informed by the past.

comradeconrad's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging dark informative inspiring medium-paced

---

Pomerantsev tells an interesting piece of WW2 history that I was not previously familiar with. Recounting the life and work of Sefton Delmer and giving a small look into the history of "black propaganda" operations by the British.

While the story is fascinating, it somewhat fails in its stated goal of giving the modern reader a blueprint for countering propaganda. The real world effects of Delmer's work will likely never be known and the technologies and social trends fueling modern propaganda are radically different in 2025.

Pomerantsev does leave the read with several fascinating lessons about propaganda and information warfare. Namely that fascist regimes supply an identity and belonging to the lonely. By embracing this identity and understanding the human social needs for a sense of belonging and agency, we can more effectively subvert fascist propaganda from within the Us group.

de_cadence's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous informative fast-paced