Brainwashed

Name: Brainwashed
Brand: Allen & Unwin
SKU: 9781781257906
Price: 32.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

A New History of Thought Control

By Daniel Pick

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3.35

( 85 ratings, 16 reviews)

Summary

Brainwashed by Daniel Pick delves into the history and implications of brainwashing, examining how scientists, governments, and the media have explored and exploited the idea of mind control. The book combines psychological study with historical analysis to investigate the origins of brainwashing concepts and how these ideas have shaped public perception and political actions in the modern era. Through critical examination, Pick provides a nuanced perspective on the fears and realities surrounding the manipulation of minds.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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Brainwashed

$32⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by the psychological manipulation of individuals and societies through history, and how these techniques continue to influence us today. Exploring mind control, propaganda, and the science of influence, it delves into the ways in which our thoughts and beliefs can be shaped or distorted. If you're interested in understanding the intersection of psychology and society, this insightful examination offers a compelling read.

A brilliant and mind-bending exploration of brainwashing and thought control

A brilliant and mind-bending exploration of brainwashing and thought control

Description

'A frankly brilliant book' - The Guardian

'An extraordinarily engrossing and wide-ranging analysis of a word and a concept. I fell under its spell immediately' - Simon Garfield

In 1953, a group of prisoners of war who had fought against the communist invasion of South Korea were released. They chose - apparently freely - to move to Mao's China. Among those refusing repatriation were twenty-one American GIs. Their decision sparked alarm in the West: why didn't they want to come home? What was going on?

Soon, people were saying that the POWs had been 'brainwashed'. Was this something new or a phenomenon that has been around for centuries? The belief that it is possible to marshal scientific knowledge to govern someone's mind gained enormous attention. In an era of Cold War paranoia and experimentation on 'altered states', the idea of brainwashing flourished, appearing in everything from critiques of CIA research on LSD to warnings of corporate groupthink, from visions of automaton assassins to conspiracy theories about 'global elites'.

Today, brainwashing is almost taken for granted - built into our psychological and political language, rooted in the way we think about minds and societies. How did we get to this point - and why?

Psychoanalyst and historian Daniel Pick delves into the mysterious world of brainwashing in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, from The Manchurian Candidate to ISIS, TV advertising to online algorithms. Mixing fascinating case studies with historical and psychological insights, Brainwashed is a stimulating journey into the mysteries of thought control.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Brainwashed by Daniel Pick has been described as a brilliant and engaging exploration of post-war anxiety and its modern manifestations, such as fake news and algorithms. Critics praise Pick's range and compelling narrative, suggesting it offers a mesmerising look at democracy, espionage, and psychiatric practices. The book encourages readers to consider their own capacity for independent thought in an ever-accelerating digital age, making it a thought-provoking read.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781781257906

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 February 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Wellcome Collection

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 280g

Pages: 368

Collections

Daniel Pick Education & Reference History & Archaeology History & Military Non-Fiction Philosophy & Psychology

About the Author

Daniel Pick is a psychoanalyst, historian, university teacher, writer and broadcaster. He is Professor of History at Birkbeck College, University of London, a fellow of the British Psychoanalytical Society, and author of several books on modern cultural history, psychoanalysis, and the history of the human sciences.