Post-Truth: The New War on Truth and How to Fight Back by Matthew D’Ancona is a delightful and timely book for anyone who needs a primer on the complicated information environment in which we now find ourselves. I happened to come across it quite by accident at Blackwell’s when giving talks at Oxford on, of all things, participatory propaganda and fake news. This short book was not a disappointment.
At fewer than 200 pages, this book is a quick and easy read. As a journalist, d’Ancona writes simply and clearly, making this a great introduction on the topic. As a researcher covering related topics, I found myself nodding along in agreement. This book is particularly great if you are just an average person looking to get a handle on the information world around you.
Among the many points d’Ancona makes include the necessity of trust in our society – as well as how fake and misleading information erodes this today – and the fact that profit, in terms of gaining clicks and views, is a major driver behind the spread of misinformation.
Post-Truth: The New War on Truth and How to Fight Back is available at Amazon.
