John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton
Toxic Sludge Is Good for You!: Lies, Damn Lies and the Public Relations Industry (1995)
Authors: John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton
Genre: Nonfiction (Politics and Government)
Book Summary:
Authors Strauber and Rampton delve into the murky world of public relations firms, and their efforts to sway public opinion for the benefit of large corporations, the US government, and foreign governments. A brief history of the development of public relations is presented early in the book. After this portion, the book presents an in-depth investigation of specific PR efforts, such as aiding corporate efforts to combat environmentalism, food safety legislation, waste storage (nuclear and sewage), and more. Also discussed are government efforts to influence the public for domestic and foreign issues. Other chapters reveal the extent to which public relations firms have affected the mass media (by preparing pre-packaged pieces for print or broadcast) and detail how some activists and concerned citizens are resisting. The authors pull together a variety of sources including original research and interviews to create a convincing narrative of how PR has led to a disconnect between the "image" and reality.
Geographical Setting: mostly the United States
Time Period: Recent History - Contemporary (1900s)
Appeal Characteristics:
Toxic Sludge Is Good for You! has a journalistic feel, and provides readers with a sense that "the truth" is being uncovered. The tone is anti-corporation (in a sense) and criticizes both Republican and Democratic actions. The book contains numerous footnotes, and will appeal to the reader who wishes to do their own fact-checking. This book, though written before the real impact of the internet, seems ideal for political bloggers who are interested in learning how technology and the mass media are utilized by PR firms to shape public opinion. Readers may also find interest in the case studies involving environmental and food supply issues.
Read-alikes: For huge fans of Toxic Sludge..., suggest Trust Us, We're Experts: How Industry Manipulates Science and Gambles Your Future, written by the same author team, which focuses on another aspect of public opinion shaping. In Trust Us, We're Experts, Stauber and Rampton investigate how "experts" paraded about in the media may cause ordinary people to suspend their own judgment of issues. Readers who are interested in more nonfiction books centered around the human impact on the environment should read Our Stolen Future: How We Are Threatening Our Fertility, Intelligence, and Survival; A Scientific Detective Story, by Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski, and John Peter Meyers. PR!: A History of Spin by Stuart Ewen may interest readers looking for a more detailed historical account of the early practices of public relations in the United States. Earth for Sale : Reclaiming Ecology in the Age of Corporate Greenwash by Brian Tokar may interest readers looking for more information about current efforts to combat corporate interference in the environmental movement (as described in Toxic Sludge...). The PBS series FRONTLINE explored how marketers and advertisers are increasingly shaping public opinion in The Persuaders documentary.
Red Flags: Perceptions of bias: Authors readily admit at the end that the book does not detail the positive work being done by PR firms. Conservatism does not fare well. The cover misrepresents the book as being humorous (it is not).
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