A Firehose of Falsehood: The Story of Disinformation

(Hardback)

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Description

Thanks to the concerted efforts of Russian troll farms, extremist TV pundits, and self-fashioned Internet "prophets," Americans have found themselves unable to distinguish fact from fiction-and that's the way would-be authoritarian leaders want it. As America grapples with the Big Lie and the future of democracy hangs in the balance, A Firehose of Falsehood takes us through history to showcase how dictators and kings have used different methods of disinformation to disenfranchise the public and consolidate power. Using examples from as far back as 522 BCE, Teri Kanefeld and Pat Dorian lushly illustrate how tenuous humanity's relationship with the truth has always been-and then show us how we can beat back the lies.

Reviews

"A well-executed, accessible primer on a difficult, timely subject." --Booklist

"A Firehood of Falsehood breaks down the mechanisms of the attack on democracy into its component parts with fierce clarity and narrative power. A Firehood of Falsehood is so lucidly written and analytically acute, that it will be treasured by readers from young adults to scholars in the field."
--Jason Stanley, Professor of Philosophy, Yale University

"A Firehose of Falsehood is an excellent primer on the history of 'the big lie.' This wonderfully told, alluringly illustrated 'story of disinformation' is a most relevant overview of the often sinister art of sowing alternative facts."
--Hans Wiersma, Professor, Augsburg University, Minneapolis, Minnesota

"A Firehose of Falsehood is an important, must read book for anyone who values democracy, free will, and the consent of the governed. It's a highly engaging graphic world tour through the history and practices of propaganda that pulls back the curtain to show how authoritarians have used anti-democratic communication strategies to prop themselves up as 'strongmen, ' in order to gain and retain power. Highly recommend!"
--Jennifer Mercieca, Professor, Department of Communication and Journalism, Texas A&M University

Author Bio

Teri Kanefield is a lawyer and the author of more than ten books. Her book awards include the Jane Addams Peace Association Book Award and California Reading Association Silver Honor Book Award. She has published more than 50 articles, essays, and stories in mainstream publications. Her legal analysis has appeared in The Washington Post, USA Today, and other major outlets. Her private law practice was dedicated to representing indigents on appeal from adverse rulings. She lives in San Luis Obispo, California.