Dear Colleagues,

I am thrilled to share two new book reviews of The Routledge Handbook of the Influence Industry (co-edited by myself and Vian Bakir)

First, this thoughtful  Book Review in International Journal of Communication, written by Rory Gates (Institute for World Politics) calls the book “a substantial field shaping reference work” 

Gates says we editors “successfully reorganize the conceptual architecture for understanding modern propaganda” and “make the infrastructure of digital influence legible for scholars working across research traditions.”One aspect of the review I particularly appreciated was Gates’ recognition that the book moves beyond narrow debates around “disinformation” to examine the broader systems, what we term a ‘digital influence industry’ and the political economy underpinning contemporary influence operations. This I also see as the book’s key strength.

It’s also gratifying to see the review highlight the international scope and the book’s effort to move beyond an Anglocentric focus that so often shapes scholarship in this area. Gates calls it “an engrossing tour of the chaos generated by the digital influence industry in countries around the world.”

The next Book Review, in Media, War and Conflict, said "The shift of focus toward the actors of social media influence operations within the global perspective makes the Handbook of the Influence Industry a very refreshing read, showing innovative perspectives and opening completely new venues for influence research"

Please do consider ordering the book for your libraries!

Best wishes and many thanks,

Emma