SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Manga
  • All Ages
  • Young Adult
  • Interviews
  • News

January 10, 2023 by Johanna

How to Win the War on Truth | Review

January 10, 2023 by Johanna   Leave a Comment

Cover of How to Win the War on Truth

How to Win the War on Truth: An Illustrated Guide to How Mistruths Are Sold, Why They Stick, and How to Reclaim Reality
written by Samuel C. Spitale, illustrated by Allan Whincup
Quirk Books, $24.99
Older Teens and up

This copiously illustrated book covers propaganda—what it is, well-known examples, and how to understand and avoid it. Related topics, such as public relations, implicit biases, and underlying economic motivations, come into play as well.

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

There’s a lot of information here. It’s all about showing readers why people believe things that aren’t true, who benefits from that, and the importance of media literacy. Living in a post-truth society puts democracy in danger, thus the book’s mission is to educate readers to recognize and fight propaganda with plenty of political examples.

The spot illustrations clarify points and make them memorable. The examples of historical marketing and publicity stunts are fascinating and entertaining. Readers learn about topics ranging from branding to human psychology and how our brains process data, as well as techniques of emotional manipulation, including appeals to prejudice.

The anti-big business, pro-fact approach would be perfectly suited to older teen readers, who should love the thrill of learning more about the behind-the-scenes of how the world works. “Secret knowledge” has quite the appeal when someone’s learning to make their own opinions.

Filed under: Reviews, Young Adult

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
Allan WhincupHow to Win the War on TruthPropagandaQuirk BooksSamuel C. Spitale

About Johanna

Johanna Draper Carlson has been reviewing comics for over 20 years. She manages ComicsWorthReading.com, the longest-running independent review site online that covers all genres of comic books, graphic novels, and manga. She has an MA in popular culture, studying online fandom, and was previously, among many other things, webmaster for DC Comics. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

February 2023

Insomniacs After School, vol. 1 | Review

by Johanna

February 2023

Kiss Number 8 | Review

by Johanna

January 2023

My Sister, the Cat, vol. 1 | Review

by Johanna

January 2023

SHY, vol. 1 | Review

by Johanna

December 2022

Heartstopper Volumes 1 and 2 | Review

by Johanna

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

2023 Books from Sibert Winners

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Creating a Collective Black Ancestry: Researcher Kimberly Annece Henderson Discusses Dear Yesteryear

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Review: Victory! Stand!

by Esther Keller

Heavy Medal

March suggestions: early Mock Newbery possibilities

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Book Review: Julia and the Shark by Kiran Millwood Hargrave with illustrations by Tom de Freston

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Newbery Medalist Amina Luqman-Dawson visits The Yarn

by Colby Sharp

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

Top 10 Manga of 2022

Shoujo Manga: Let's Hear It for the Girls | Mondo Manga

10 Manga Titles for Teens Who Watch Anime

Best Graphic Novels 2022 | SLJ Best Books

10 Graphic Biographies Bring Notable Figures to Life | Stellar Panels

Commenting for all posts is disabled after 30 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Age Level
  • Ideas
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Neverending Search
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • 2022 Youth Media Awards
  • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
  • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
  • Summer Reading 2021
  • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
  • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
  • Summer Programming Survey
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2023


COPYRIGHT © 2023