Critics’ Reviews

“Concerted efforts to ‘direct the thought of the world’ have become a dominant feature of modern life, notably in the more free societies, where direct coercion is less feasible. This study is a welcome contribution to increasing public awareness and understanding of these critical matters. It approaches them with historical depth and insightful commentary, also raising and investigating hard questions of propriety and limits that should be the focus of intense concern.”

“…an analysis of propaganda that is not only a piece of good classical scholarship, but a fascinating historical study…. An interesting theme is the human capacity to be swayed by illusion, especially when this simplifies the complexity of a society increasingly shaped by technology…. The book deserves to be widely read for the breadth and depth of its insights.”

“…so terrifyingly relevant to the troubled world of today… excellent book… so measured, so wide-ranging….”

“…gripping reading…well-written and well thought out too. It’s a real feast.”

“A Carleton U. philosophy prof has written a book you should read. It is eminently readable, well written, packed with fascinating information. And it deals with a then, now and future phenomenon that affects us all.”

“Marlin’s reflections have been well marinated, coming as they do, he tells us, from three decades of studying ‘the day-to-day manifestations of opinion, in newspapers, radio and the university workplace…. A valuable section on polls and statistics is required reading for anyone interested in how public opinion is formulated….”

“[Propaganda and the Ethics of Persuasion] should be required reading for professors and graduate students in persuasive communication.”

“Marlin is erudite, sensitive to nuance, and sensible.”

“This book covers a lot of ground, and is a good introduction to the areas addressed in its various chapters. It will be a good text for an introductory course on mass communication, and more selectively useful as a resource for courses on politics and communication.”