PUBLIC OPINION (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Mass Media, Stereotypes, Propaganda, and the Fragile Foundations of Democratic JudgmentBy Walter Lippmann
Length13h 20m
About this audiobook
Walter Lippmann's Public Opinion is a foundational work of modern political thought and media studies, examining how citizens form beliefs about a world they can never experience directly. Written in lucid, analytical prose, the book introduces enduring concepts such as "the pictures in our heads," stereotypes, pseudo-environments, and the manufacture of consent. Situated in the aftermath of World War I and amid the rise of mass communication, it challenges democratic idealism by asking whether public judgment can be reliable in complex modern societies. Lippmann, one of the most influential American journalists and public intellectuals of the twentieth century, brought to this work firsthand experience in reporting, diplomacy, and wartime propaganda. His service in government information efforts during World War I sharpened his awareness of how facts are selected, framed, and circulated. This background led him to scrutinize the gap between reality and representation with unusual rigor. Public Opinion is recommended to readers interested in journalism, democracy, political psychology, and communication theory. Its arguments remain strikingly relevant in an age of digital media, disinformation, and polarized publics.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.0 (12.5K)
Includes Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing, StoryGraph
GenrePolitics and Government
Length13 hrs 20 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateSep 18, 2017
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
Show all chaptersShow less
6PUBLIC OPINION
7Part I. Introduction
8Chapter I. The World Outside and the Pictures in Our Heads
9Part II. Approaches to the World Outside
10Chapter II. Censorship and Privacy
11Chapter III. Contact and Opportunity
12Chapter IV. Time and Attention
13Chapter V. Speed, Words, and Clearness
14Part III. Stereotypes
15Chapter VI. Stereotypes
16Chapter VII. Stereotypes as Defense
17Chapter VIII. Blind Spots and Their Value
18Chapter IX. Codes and Their Enemies
19Chapter X. The Detection of Stereotypes
20Part IV. Interests
21Chapter XI. The Enlisting of Interest
22Chapter XII. Self-Interest Reconsidered
23Part V. The Making of a Common Will
24Chapter XIII. The Transfer of Interest
25Chapter XIV. Yes or No
26Chapter XV. Leaders and the Rank and File
27Part VI. The Image of Democracy
28Chapter XVI. The Self-Centered Man
29Chapter XVII. The Self-Contained Community
30Chapter XVIII. The Role of Force, Patronage and Privilege
31Chapter XIX. The Old Image in a New Form: Guild Socialism
32Chapter XX. A New Image
33Part VII. Newspapers
34Chapter XXI. The Buying Public
35Chapter XXII. The Constant Reader
36Chapter XXIII. The Nature of News
37Chapter XXIV. News, Truth, and a Conclusion
38Part VIII. Organized Intelligence
39Chapter XXV. The Entering Wedge
40Chapter XXVI. Intelligence Work
41Chapter XXVII. The Appeal to the Public
42Chapter XXVIII. The Appeal to Reason
43Analysis
44Reflection
45Memorable Quotes
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