The Strange Story of Propaganda
A book about public relations led me down a rabbit hole
People who deal in old books are a strange people. I should know, I’m one of them. Books are my life. I sell and restore them, I help get them published and promoted, in a different part of my life. I spend most of my time with books.
Not much surprises me anymore. I’ve run across some interesting pieces over the years—one of my first real, grown-up bookseller finds was a guide to fallout shelter design—complete with a bunker martini bar.
But every now and then, I find something a little extra special. Like Edward Bernays’ Propaganda. Which…probably isn’t about what you think it’s about.
It’s about public relations.
Back in 1928, Ed Bernays, quite literally, wrote the book on propaganda—and on public relations. We still call him, ‘the father of public relations.’ Aside from finding this piece—that’s incredibly hard to find in first edition, it’s interesting for me. As a history nerd, big fan of truth and roasting sacred cows, and someone who handles PR for authors and other creative people.
