
PUBLIC OPINION (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Mass Media, Stereotypes, Propaganda, and the Fragile Foundations of Democratic JudgmentBy Walter LippmannLength13h 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
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
24Chapter XIII. The Transfer of Interest
2Introduction
25Chapter XIV. Yes or No
3Synopsis
26Chapter XV. Leaders and the Rank and File
4Historical Context
27Part VI. The Image of Democracy
5Author Biography
28Chapter XVI. The Self-Centered Man
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6PUBLIC OPINION
29Chapter XVII. The Self-Contained Community
7Part I. Introduction
30Chapter XVIII. The Role of Force, Patronage and Privilege
8Chapter I. The World Outside and the Pictures in Our Heads
31Chapter XIX. The Old Image in a New Form: Guild Socialism
9Part II. Approaches to the World Outside
32Chapter XX. A New Image
10Chapter II. Censorship and Privacy
33Part VII. Newspapers
11Chapter III. Contact and Opportunity
34Chapter XXI. The Buying Public
12Chapter IV. Time and Attention
35Chapter XXII. The Constant Reader
13Chapter V. Speed, Words, and Clearness
36Chapter XXIII. The Nature of News
14Part III. Stereotypes
37Chapter XXIV. News, Truth, and a Conclusion
15Chapter VI. Stereotypes
38Part VIII. Organized Intelligence
16Chapter VII. Stereotypes as Defense
39Chapter XXV. The Entering Wedge
17Chapter VIII. Blind Spots and Their Value
40Chapter XXVI. Intelligence Work
18Chapter IX. Codes and Their Enemies
41Chapter XXVII. The Appeal to the Public
19Chapter X. The Detection of Stereotypes
42Chapter XXVIII. The Appeal to Reason
20Part IV. Interests
43Analysis
21Chapter XI. The Enlisting of Interest
44Reflection
22Chapter XII. Self-Interest Reconsidered
45Memorable Quotes
23Part V. The Making of a Common Will