Book Review: Propaganda Power

Reviewed by Warren Maxwell

A necessary toolkit to help you avoid manipulation in today’s information landscape

“How do you know what’s real and what’s crafted to manipulate?”

The ever-increasing prevalence of AI and an algorithm-driven online environment makes propaganda an inescapable part of our daily lives. It’s often hard to tell which news articles and social media posts are genuine expressions of thought and opinion and which are cynical attempts to manipulate. 

Former police officer Byron Owens engages with this question in an endearing and friendly voice in Propaganda Power, providing easy to implement skills you can use to distinguish genuine news from propaganda. It tracks propaganda across the ages, from Rome to Nazi Germany, tying it to the various technological forms that have been harnessed along the way. At the core of the book, a set of simple questions are developed for catching the effects of propagandistic news, noticing when you are being covertly influenced, and remaining mindful of your information diet. 

“The need for media literacy has never been more important. As media changes, we need to understand better and judge the information we come across.” 

Propaganda Power showcases its sincerity and genuine concern for the state of modern media while remaining neutral on major issues of the day. It comments on the uniquely propaganda-rich period we are living through, particularly in the context of the 2024 presidential election, but is assiduous in remaining non-partisan. It is careful to highlight how both propaganda and genuine factual information are mixed together in political campaigns across the ideological spectrum and discusses how, in all cases, we must be vigilant of the difference. 

While the book makes clear that politics more than any other sphere of life uses propaganda, it also notes that—while the underhanded tactics of propaganda don’t change—the intentions behind different propagandas vary. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here. It’s refreshing to engage with a book that freely discusses the pitfalls and troubles associated with political life without immediately demonizing one opinion or another, or attempting to foist a point of view on its readers. 

“In a world full of information and subtle influence, staying alert and informed isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.”

This book comes with many useful tools to help you track the media you consume, like asking the question, “Who benefits from me believing or acting on this?” Some of the information can be vague though too. Goebbels and the propaganda of Nazi Germany are mentioned several times but presented in a generalized way, simplifying the pernicious effect that propaganda had during that time period.

Additionally, interactive questions and activities are scattered throughout the text without a clear rhythm or organizing system. While they break up the reading experience and can be refreshing, the lack of a formal structure makes the activities less vital. They appear as suggestions rather than concrete means to practice propaganda detecting skills outlined in the book.

“Picture a small group in a town, armed not with weapons but with determination and smartphones, working to fact-check misinformation spreading on social media.”

Byron Owens’ approachable writing style stands out most in the end. He speaks to readers in a tone that is both casual and sincere, warm and inviting—despite the subject matter’s gravity. An easy flexibility makes the reading experience enjoyable and dynamic, like when he slips from factual information to anecdotes about being a police officer and addresses the audience directly.

A well-worthy exploration of the past and present of propaganda, Propaganda Power shares useful tools to help you recognize when manipulation and ulterior motives, rather than fact, are coloring the news.  

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