Books Library

Here's a collection of books that have influenced my thoughts and ideas in the field of disinformation.

Active Measures: The Secret History of Disinformation and Political Warfare
Active Measures: The Secret History of Disinformation and Political Warfare

By Thomas Rod

This compelling narrative unveils a covert realm where hidden agendas, covert operations, and the machinations of statecraft converge, shedding light on the obscured but influential underbelly of modern geopolitics

The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power

By Shoshana Zuboff

In today's world, data has become more valuable than oil, and it's used by nearly everyone to subtly shape our thoughts and opinions over time.

America Unite: How to Save Our Democracy
America Unite: How to Save Our Democracy

By Douglas E. Schoen & Carly Cooperman

It is imperative that conservatives and progressives rediscover the art of productive conversation, as our failure to do so in this critical moment carries significant consequences.

After the Fall: The Rise of Authoritarianism in the World We’ve Made
After the Fall: The Rise of Authoritarianism in the World We’ve Made

By Ben Rhodes

Written by former advisor to Barack Obama. The book explores the multifaceted factors contributing to the surge of authoritarian regimes across the world. It offers a scholarly examination of the political, social, and economic forces that have propelled this trend.

Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopias, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation
Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopias, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation

By Andrew Marantz

It offers a comprehensive analysis of the sociopolitical forces that have enabled the proliferation of extreme ideologies in the digital realm.

Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Divided America and How to Fight Back.
Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Divided America and How to Fight Back.

By Chris Stirewalt

This book posits that the emergence of 24-hour news channels, exemplified by CNN and Fox News, has contributed significantly to the development of the heightened state of anxiety within the American collective psyche.

Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language
Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language

By Gretchen McCulloch

The accelerated transformation of language driven by technological advancements and the concurrent cognitive challenges posed by this linguistic evolution constitute the focal point of investigation in this scholarly discourse

Bottoms Up and the Devil Laughs: A Journey Through the Deep State
Bottoms Up and the Devil Laughs: A Journey Through the Deep State

By Kerry Howley

Recognized by The New York Times as a top 10 book of 2023, this engaging work humorously investigates the operations of the US intelligence bureaucracy, revealing both its information collection processes and susceptibility to manipulation

The Art of Logic in an Illogical World
The Art of Logic in an Illogical World

By Eugenia Cheng

Practical handbook for the independent pursuit of academic logic, an essential guide on how to discern the underlying framework of arguments, identify logical fallacies, and employ these critical skills to navigate the deluge of misinformation inundating our information landscape

Cancel This Book: The Progressive Argument Against Cancel Culture.
Cancel This Book: The Progressive Argument Against Cancel Culture.

By Dan Kovalik

Phenomenon wherein the moral standards of the political left, when perceived as mob-driven, have estranged individuals on the right, propelling them toward the fringes of the ideological spectrum and fostering the adoption of increasingly radical perspectives.

The Canceling of the American Mind: How Cancel Culture Undermines Trust, Destroys Institutions, and Threatens Us All
The Canceling of the American Mind: How Cancel Culture Undermines Trust, Destroys Institutions, and Threatens Us All

By Greg Lukianoff & Rikki Schlott

Troubling social and psychological consequences of the growing intolerance of opposing viewpoints on university campuses in America; a phenomenon which then swept through the English-speaking world.

Defending My Enemy: American Nazis, the Skokie Case, and the Risks of Freedom.
Defending My Enemy: American Nazis, the Skokie Case, and the Risks of Freedom.

By Aryeh Neier

Authored by an ACLU lawyer renowned for his defense of an Illinois Nazi group denied a public demonstration permit, this book presents a compelling case advocating for the most expansive interpretation of the First Amendment. Written in 1979, it serves as a valuable resource for juxtaposing historical perspectives on First Amendment rights with contemporary considerations, particularly in the context of the pre-internet era.

The Case Against Free Speech
The Case Against Free Speech

By P.E. Moskowitz

This book takes an opposing stance to the Defending My Enemy by Aryeh Neier, using the Skokie case and comparable incidents as its backdrop. The author advances a viewpoint advocating for more stringent restrictions on free speech.

The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World
The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World

By Max Fisher

Inside perspective into the transformative impact of social media on both individual cognition and the broader societal landscape.

The Coddling of the American Mind
The Coddling of the American Mind

By Jonathan Haidt & Greg Lukianoff

The factors that are affecting the resilience of young people emerging from colleges in the US.

Conflicted: How Productive Disagreements Lead to Better Outcomes
Conflicted: How Productive Disagreements Lead to Better Outcomes

By Ian Leslie

Explores the constructive potential of conflicts and disagreements, offering insights into how these contentious interactions can ultimately yield superior results.

Conspiracy: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational
Conspiracy: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational

By Michael Shermer

This book examines enduring popular conspiracies that originated in the first half of the 20th century and explores the contemporary appeal that continues to draw individuals into their web of belief, shedding light on the underlying psychological factors that make them compelling.

Cultural Warlords: My Journey Into the Dark Web of White Supremacy
Cultural Warlords: My Journey Into the Dark Web of White Supremacy

By Talia Lavin

This book explores a particular extremist perspective and delineates how the internet, through gradual and subtle processes, can influence an initially reasonable individual towards the adoption and endorsement of an extreme viewpoint.

Dark Star Rising
Dark Star Rising

By Gary Lachman

This book delves into the realms of occult and chaos-magick pseudo-philosophies, offering an in-depth examination of the individuals within Trump's sphere who not only adhere to these beliefs but actively promulgate them.

The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters
The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters

By Tom Nichols

This book critically engages with the contemporary discourse surrounding the erosion of established expertise and its far-reaching implications.

A Death on W Street: The Murder of Seth Rich and the Age of Conspiracy
A Death on W Street: The Murder of Seth Rich and the Age of Conspiracy

By Andy Kroll

Insightful examination of the prevalence of misinformation and conspiracy theories.

The Death of Truth: Michiko Kakutani
The Death of Truth: Michiko Kakutani

By Michiko Kakutani

Kakutani identifies the trends, originating on both the right and the left that have combined to elevate subjectivity over factuality, science, and common values. And she returns us to the words of the great critics of authoritarianism, writers like George Orwell and Hannah Arendt, whose work is newly and eerily relevant.

Deliberative Democracy (Key Concepts in Political Theory)
Deliberative Democracy (Key Concepts in Political Theory)

By Ian O'Flynn

Foundational exploration of the philosophy of discourse within the public sphere.

Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government
Democracy for Realists: Why Elections Do Not Produce Responsive Government

By Christopher H. Achen & Larry M. Bartels

Through extensive social-scientific evidence and original analyses, they contend that voters are primarily guided by social identities and partisan loyalties, rather than policy issues. The book emphasizes the role of identity groups and political parties in shaping democratic outcomes, challenging conventional thinking and offering a fresh perspective on the nature of democratic government.

Democracy When People are Thinking: Revitalizing Our Politics Through Public Discourse
Democracy When People are Thinking: Revitalizing Our Politics Through Public Discourse

By James S. Fishkin

Explores the rejuvenation of democratic politics through the active engagement of citizens in public discourse. This book underscores the pivotal role that thoughtful deliberation and informed discussion play in reinvigorating the democratic process.

Democracy, If We Can Keep It: The ACLU’s 100-Year Fight for Rights in America
Democracy, If We Can Keep It: The ACLU’s 100-Year Fight for Rights in America

By Ellis Cose

Comprehensive chronicle of the ACLU's century-long struggle in defense of civil liberties and democratic values in the United States.

Enlightenment 2.0
Enlightenment 2.0

By Joseph Heath

Taking inspiration from the historical Enlightenment era, characterized by the ascent of scientific inquiry that lifted humanity from the shadows of the Dark Ages. With a compelling argument, the book posits that a contemporary renaissance of enlightened thinking is urgently needed to address modern challenges and propel society towards progress.

Escaping Enemy Mode: How Our Brains Unite or Divide Us
Escaping Enemy Mode: How Our Brains Unite or Divide Us

By Jim Wilder & Ray Woolridge

Dives into the neuroscience of ideological conflicts, exploring how individuals can become persistently locked in combative stances against their ideological adversaries. It also illuminates the brain's remarkable capacity to transition from adversarial positions to a cooperative paradigm, even in the face of disagreement.

Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America: A Recent History
Evil Geniuses: The Unmaking of America: A Recent History

By Kurt Andersen

This treatise delves into the comprehensive analysis of cultural, political, and economic policies initiated in the early 1970s, which had a profound impact on the widening wealth gap in the United States. These policies also eroded the traditional aspirations of parents to provide a better life for their children, resulting in a shrinking middle class fraught with apprehension about the future and susceptible to conspiratorial thought.

Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence and Power on the Internet
Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence and Power on the Internet

By Taylor Lorenz

In-depth exploration of the uncharted realms of internet notoriety, influence, and authority. This book unveils the complex dynamics at play in the digital age, shedding light on the profound impact of online presence and the acquisition of power within the virtual realm.

Extremism (The MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series)
Extremism (The MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series)

By J. M. Berger

This book offers a comprehensive examination of the multifaceted concept of extremism, tracing its historical and global manifestations. The book also delves into the perilous resurgence of extremism in the information age, providing a thorough analysis of this pressing issue.

Facts and Other Lies: Welcome to the Age of Disinformation
Facts and Other Lies: Welcome to the Age of Disinformation

By Ed Coper

Ed Coper navigates the landscape of contemporary misinformation, exploring the trajectory that has led us into the 'fake news' era. From fringe conspiracy theories to the proliferation of 'alternative facts,' the book provides a timely examination of the astonishing events and disinformation trends that would likely challenge the beliefs of one's younger self. It sheds light on a range of perplexing narratives, from destructive acts driven by baseless beliefs to the erosion of trust in widely accepted truths, all against the backdrop of our rapidly changing information ecosystem.

Fancy Bear Goes Phishing: The Dark History of the Information Phase in Five Extraordinary Hacks
Fancy Bear Goes Phishing: The Dark History of the Information Phase in Five Extraordinary Hacks

By Scott J. Shapiro

Captivating exploration of the clandestine world of cyber espionage. This book unravels the intricate narratives behind five remarkable hacking incidents, shedding light on the pivotal role of the information phase in these extraordinary cyber-operations.

Fascism: A Warning
Fascism: A Warning

By Albright Madeleine

Authored by the former Secretary of State for Bill Clinton, it explores an global historical perspective of the emergence of fascism. Drawing parallels to contemporary America, the book argues that several elements reminiscent of past fascist movements are present in the United States today, offering a cautionary assessment of the current political climate.

Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity
Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity

By Sander van der Linden

This book delves into the psychological mechanisms that make individuals susceptible to false information and provides strategies to fortify cognitive resilience against the spread of misinformation.

Foucault's Pendulum
Foucault's Pendulum

By Umberto Eco

This thought-provoking work revolves around three book editors who, in search of amusement, embark on a prank to fabricate a superior version of 'Da Vinci Code.' They craft an intricate web of secret clues within cultural artifacts, weaving a narrative of a shadowy global cabal. As the editors become increasingly enmeshed in their own web of conspiracy, the novel serves as a poignant reminder of our vulnerability to emotionally manipulative misinformation, even when it originates from our own creation.

Game Changers: How Dark Money and Super PACs are Transforming US Campaigns
Game Changers: How Dark Money and Super PACs are Transforming US Campaigns

By Henrik M. Schatzinger & Steven E. Martin

Gives insight into the transformative impact of dark money and super PACs on the landscape of American political campaigns. This book illuminates the significant role of these financial forces in shaping the dynamics of contemporary elections.

Gaming Masculinity: Trolls, Fake Geeks, and the Gendered Battle for Online Cultures
Gaming Masculinity: Trolls, Fake Geeks, and the Gendered Battle for Online Cultures

By Megan Condis

An exploration of the gendered dynamics within the realm of online gaming. This book delves into the contentious terrain of trolls, fake geeks, and the multifaceted battles for control and recognition in the digital gaming subculture.

Habermas and the Crisis of Democracy
Habermas and the Crisis of Democracy

By Emilie Prattico

This collection features eight thought-provoking essays that delve into the ethics of public discourse and shed light on the current threats to our public spaces for open dialogue and discussion.

A History of Ambition in 50 Hoaxes
A History of Ambition in 50 Hoaxes

By Gale Eaton

This book critically engages with the contemporary discourse surrounding the erosion of established expertise and its far-reaching implications.

Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism
Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism

By Jeffrey Toobin

Traces the historical trajectory from the inception of alt-right proto-philosophy to pivotal moments such as 'The Turner Diaries,' government incidents at Ruby Ridge and Waco, and ultimately the devastating Oklahoma City Bombing, perpetrated by a disciple of this ideology. Written in 2023, the book draws compelling parallels between these 20th-century events and contemporary developments, particularly in the aftermath of Donald Trump's 'Come Retribution' speech at Waco, shedding light on the enduring relevance of these historical narratives

How Propaganda Works
How Propaganda Works

By Jason Stanley

The author delves into the intricate ways in which propaganda operates in modern democracies, shedding light on its subtle influence on the way people think and reason about public issues. Stanley explores how propaganda undermines democratic ideals, particularly democratic deliberation and equality, and provides historical examples, such as the restructuring of the U.S. public school system in the early 20th century, to illustrate how the language of democracy can be manipulated to conceal undemocratic realities.

How to Talk to a Science Denier: Conversations with Flat-Earthers, Climate Deniers, and Others Who Defy Reason
How to Talk to a Science Denier: Conversations with Flat-Earthers, Climate Deniers, and Others Who Defy Reason

By Lee McIntyre

Offers valuable insights into engaging with individuals who reject established scientific facts. This book equips readers with effective strategies for constructive conversations with those who hold unconventional beliefs, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities of addressing science denial.

Generation Đź, by Victor Pelevin (translated into English by Andrew Bromfield as Homo Zapiens)
Generation Đź, by Victor Pelevin (translated into English by Andrew Bromfield as Homo Zapiens)

By Victor Pelevin

In the 1999 novel, the author Pelevin humorously explores themes like 'fake news,' 'deep fakes,' US-Russia tensions post-Cold War, and conflicts over information technology. It highlights how Russian statecraft views politics as the manipulation of populations through technology and why they see democracy as inherently manipulative.

Disinformation: Former Spy Chief Reveals Secret Strategies for Undermining Freedom, Attacking Religion, and Promoting Terrorism
Disinformation: Former Spy Chief Reveals Secret Strategies for Undermining Freedom, Attacking Religion, and Promoting Terrorism

By Gen. Ion Mihai Pacepa & Prof. Ronald J Rychlak

Pacepa's book, authored by a former chief of Romanian intelligence involved in KGB disinformation operations during the Cold War, offers valuable insights into Soviet disinformation theory. It highlights the KGB's assertion that 'IF YOU ARE GOOD AT DISINFORMATION, YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING'.

The New Nobility: The Restoration of Russia’s Security State and the Enduring Legacy of the KGB
The New Nobility: The Restoration of Russia’s Security State and the Enduring Legacy of the KGB

By Andrei Soldatov & Irina Borogan

Soldatov and Borogan, Russian investigative journalists, offer a valuable perspective on the role of Russian intelligence services in information warfare. Their insights into the inner workings of these services provide a nuanced understanding, and their accounts of critical events such as the 1999 Moscow apartment building bombings and the 2002 Dubrovka Theater siege offer a clear-eyed and well-informed analysis.

The Red Web: The Kremlin's Wars on the Internet
The Red Web: The Kremlin's Wars on the Internet

By Andrei Soldatov & Irina Borogan

n this volume, Soldatov and Borogan conduct a comprehensive analysis of the Russian internet's evolution since the 1980s and the persistent efforts by the Soviet and Russian states to impose censorship. These endeavors, driven partly by concerns over foreign 'hybrid warfare' and 'color revolutions,' are examined with a keen insight into their limitations, a perspective often overlooked by foreign commentators. Despite Russian attempts to curtail political discourse, the authors assert that pockets of the Russian internet continue to foster free expression, illustrating the resilience of online platforms despite the rigorous efforts of Russian security agencies.

Nothing is True but Everything is Possible
Nothing is True but Everything is Possible

By Peter Pomerantsev

Pomerantsev dissects the manipulation of domestic politics by Russian leaders, offering a toolkit that can be adapted for international purposes. He characterizes Russia as a 'postmodern dictatorship,' asserting control through media manipulation, a system that is both uniquely Russian and a product of globalization. As a former producer of Russian TV, Pomerantsev provides an insider's perspective on its functioning, introducing readers to a diverse cast of characters, including gangsters, oligarchs, and Kremlin ideologist Vladislav Surkov, who plays a pivotal role in Russia's covert actions in Ukraine.

The Invention of Russia: The Rise of Putin and the Age of Fake News
The Invention of Russia: The Rise of Putin and the Age of Fake News

By Arkady Ostrovsky

Pomerantsev dissects the manipulation of domestic politics by Russian leaders, offering a toolkit that can be adapted for international purposes. He characterizes Russia as a 'postmodern dictatorship,' asserting control through media manipulation, a system that is both uniquely Russian and a product of globalization. As a former producer of Russian TV, Pomerantsev provides an insider's perspective on its functioning, introducing readers to a diverse cast of characters, including gangsters, oligarchs, and Kremlin ideologist Vladislav Surkov, who plays a pivotal role in Russia's covert actions in Ukraine.

Russian “Hybrid Warfare”: Resurgence and Politicization
Russian “Hybrid Warfare”: Resurgence and Politicization

By Ofer Fridman

The Russian concept of 'gibirdnaya voyna,' often translated as hybrid warfare, differs significantly from the Western understanding discussed in American staff colleges. This volume by Fridman delves into the complexities of how both the West and Russia attribute hybrid warfare to the other side, shedding light on the underlying dynamics without necessarily addressing its practical application.

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