[Air-L] First Book Review: "an exciting and engaging read"!

[Dr. Emma Briant]

Dear Colleagues,

The reviews are starting to come in for the Routledge Handbook of the
Influence Industry (edited by myself and Vian Bakir and with many excellent
contributors). I am pulling out a few extracts here for you. Read the full
review here.
<https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41254-025-00402-8?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=rh_publication_moment>

The reviewer, Dr Farhat Asif writes that:

"The core idea of this book is to assess myriad aspects of the influence
industry’s ecosystem, which remains a pervasive yet academically
under-researched domain, by evaluating the role of power brokers in a
post-truth world. In doing so, it offers a unique blend of theoretical
insights and well-curated case studies by formulating a conversant
reflection on the subject and a comprehensive framework to help navigate
the complexities of the modern influence industry."

And I was particularly delighted to read this! "The book has an academic
flavour, but there is a journalistic investigative approach to various
chapters, sharing exclusive facts and presenting analysis, making it an
exciting and engaging read." Exciting and engaging is of course what we
always aspire to, but is often a tall reach for a scholarly book! :)

And Dr. Asif also observes that "For practitioners of public diplomacy and
strategic communication, the book offers a pedagogical range of options and
understandings to enhance new insights and practical guidance at the same
time"

Vian Bakir particularly liked the reviewer's insight that it's ''an
indispensable pedagogical reference tool for students, academia and
whistleblowers. The book’s global scope and detailed empirical, in-depth
case study approach have positioned it at the nexus of political
communication, strategic influence and digital governance, beyond what was
once the usual PR and propaganda."

Vian and I are of course grateful to Dr. Asif and the Journal Place
Branding & Public Diplomacy for reviewing the book!

We appreciate any orders of the hardback for your university library. Thank
you!

Best wishes,

Emma



-- 
*Dr Emma L Briant*

Visiting Associate Professor at Notre Dame University, USA
Fellow at Bard College, Human Rights Project, USA
Associate at George Washington University, Institute for Public Diplomacy
and Global Communication, USA
Associate at University of Cambridge, Center for Financial Reporting &
Accountability, UK
Affiliate at Monash University, Monash Global Peace and Security Centre,
Australia
Speaking agent: Chartwell Speakers
<https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/emma-briant/>
Book agent: Inkwell Management <https://inkwellmanagement.com/>
Author of: *Propaganda and Counter-Terrorism: Strategies for Global
Change *from
Manchester University Press
Co-Author of: *Bad News for Refugees* with Prof. Greg Philo and Dr. Pauline
Donald from Pluto Press.

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