Meet New Books
Book Cover

The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone On The Media

Save:
Find on Amazon

"The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone On The Media" by Brooke Gladstone delves into the history and impact of media on human culture. It explores how media shapes society and how society, in turn, shapes the media. Through well-written and easy-to-read narratives, readers are taken on a journey through the evolution of media, from the development of mass communication technologies to the present day debates on government suppression and freedom of information. presents a deep and insightful analysis of the media landscape, shedding light on biases, complexities, and the role of media in holding governments accountable.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is succinct and engaging, using the graphic format to convey complex ideas emotionally and effectively, akin to the author's NPR presentation.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative examines the deep connection between media and societal identity, addressing concepts like Cognitive Dissonance and its implications while also reflecting on historical shifts in media perception.

Setting:

The setting encompasses both contemporary media issues and historical reflections, offering a wide-ranging view of the media landscape.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk, utilizing the graphic format to present topics concisely, though some concepts may be treated too briefly.

Notes:

Graphic nonfiction can convey deep emotional impact and present succinct information efficiently.
Brooke Gladstone's book presents complex ideas in an accessible comic format.
Some topics in the book are not covered in depth, leading to potential oversimplification.
Cognitive dissonance is covered in just nine panels, which some readers find insufficient.
Gladstone reflects on how media shapes and mirrors public desires and fears.
The book encourages readers to examine their own media consumption and its implications on their values.
An important segment discusses how the perception of media taboos changes over time.
The book includes historical references such as the New York Times publishing the Pentagon Papers.
Gladstone explores the ongoing debate about whistleblowers versus government secrecy.
Readers gain a deeper tolerance for opposing views after engaging with the content.
The book offers insights into the relationship between technology and media evolution.
It's written to be accessible to diverse audiences, from teenagers to professors.
The discussion of media's role highlights both its watchdog function and the ways it can support government agendas.
Gladstone’s work is a reflection of society as much as it is an examination of media itself.

From The Publisher:

"Mind-opening, thought-provoking and incredibly timely… An absolutely spectacular read."-Cory Doctorow, BoingBoing A million listeners trust NPR's Brooke Gladstone to guide them through the complexities of the modern media. Bursting onto the page in vivid comics by acclaimed artist Josh Neufeld, this brilliant radio personality guides us through two millennia of media history, debunking the notion that "The Media" is an external force beyond our control and equipping us to be savvy consumers and shapers of the news. two-color illustrations

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.