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How to Win an Information War

The Propagandist Who Outwitted Hitler

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How to Win an Information War

By: Peter Pomerantsev
Narrated by: Matthew Waterson
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About this listen

Pomerantsev is emerging as the pre-eminent war reporter of our time. Observer

From one of our leading experts on disinformation, the incredible true story of the complex and largely forgotten WWII propagandist Sefton Delmer - and what we can learn from him today.

In the summer of 1941, Hitler ruled Europe from the Atlantic to the Black Sea. Britain was struggling to combat the powerful Nazi propaganda machine, which crowed victory and smeared its enemies.

But inside Germany, there was one notable voice of dissent from the very heart of the military machine, Der Chef, a German whose radio broadcasts skilfully questioned Nazi doctrine. He had access to high-ranking German military secrets and spoke of internal rebellion. His listeners included German soldiers and citizens. American officials and even the President tried to to decipher what it meant for the future of the war. But what these audiences didn't know was that Der Chef was a fiction, a character created by the British propagandist Sefton Delmer, just one player in Delmer's vast counter-propaganda cabaret, a unique weapon in the war.

As author Peter Pomerantsev uncovers Delmer's story, he is called into a wartime propaganda effort of his own: the global response to Putin's invasion of Ukraine. This book is the story of Delmer and his modern-day investigator, as they each embark on their own quest to seduce and inspire the passions of supporters and enemies, and to turn the tide of information wars.

©2024 Peter Pomerantsev (P)2024 Faber & Faber
Elections & Political Process Media Studies Military Politics & Government Social Sciences War Thought-Provoking Imperialism

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All stars
Most relevant
It felt like the story is a quite simple telling of historical events, nevertheless worthy to be told. I would have wished for a little more modern parallels.

A bit rushed reading, but story keeps on giving

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Packed to the brim with what is sadly, still super relevant info. Ive told my kids for years that everything they read, see or hear is made up by someone just like me. This book beautifully explains how and why. Please Listen.

Must Listen

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Brilliant story, astonishing character in Sefton Delmer and his team, wonderful psychology, twisting human nature and jaw dropping contemporary parallels. Matthews narration is perfect also. It could have been extended to explore today's dictatorships more. One of the best audio books ever. Seriously.

Fascinating secret history with such a relevance today

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This books tells the story of an innovative propogandist in WW2 while all the time using it to learn about how propaganda works and how it influences our current world

Great use of history to understand it current world

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Fascinating and informative appraisal of propaganda. Really appreciated the comparison of WW2 techniques and impact on Russian atrocities in Ukraine occupation now. The spoken delivery is truly first class.

Excellent - insightful and engaging

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