Bernays, the Father of Public Relations: Those Who Influence Public Opinion: Those Who Influence Public Opinion

Author: Raynor Tye
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-06-01
Features: This is not just a book about the master of hype; it is also a book that exposes how social thought is manipulated and reveals how the public is controlled by certain forces today; it explains American culture, uncovers the truth about the market, and the truth about democracy. For all readers concerned about being troubled by the media or advertising, this is a must-read. This book is a biography of the legendary Edward Bernays. Edward Bernays, the nephew of the psychoanalyst Freud, used his uncle's psychological theories to make the public buy products they didn't need and influence people's views and ideas, earning him the title of "Father of Public Relations." No one understands publicity and packaging better than Bernays, nor is there anyone more skilled in shaping public opinion and turning it into collective action. He dominated American politics for 40 years, influencing voters' choices and the important decisions of multiple U.S. Presidents. In the business world, he created countless iconic products, and his theories, which he pioneered, are now included in textbooks on crowd psychology and marketing, and are still widely used today by those who manipulate media, master public relations, and advertising agencies. Through Bernays' interviews and countless private documents about him, the author reveals many of the major publicity campaigns he led in his half-century career, showcasing the charming, authentic, and highly controversial aspects of this PR master who believed that "the public is like clay—however you mold it, it will take that shape."