Dear Colleagues, The reviews are starting to come in for the Routledge Handbook of the Influence Industry (edited by myself and Vian Bakir and with many excellent contributors). I am pulling out a few extracts here for you. Read the full review here. <https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41254-025-00402-8?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=rh_publication_moment> The reviewer, Dr Farhat Asif writes that: "The core idea of this book is to assess myriad aspects of the influence industry’s ecosystem, which remains a pervasive yet academically under-researched domain, by evaluating the role of power brokers in a post-truth world. In doing so, it offers a unique blend of theoretical insights and well-curated case studies by formulating a conversant reflection on the subject and a comprehensive framework to help navigate the complexities of the modern influence industry." And I was particularly delighted to read this! "The book has an academic flavour, but there is a journalistic investigative approach to various chapters, sharing exclusive facts and presenting analysis, making it an exciting and engaging read." Exciting and engaging is of course what we always aspire to, but is often a tall reach for a scholarly book! :) And Dr. Asif also observes that "For practitioners of public diplomacy and strategic communication, the book offers a pedagogical range of options and understandings to enhance new insights and practical guidance at the same time" Vian Bakir particularly liked the reviewer's insight that it's ''an indispensable pedagogical reference tool for students, academia and whistleblowers. The book’s global scope and detailed empirical, in-depth case study approach have positioned it at the nexus of political communication, strategic influence and digital governance, beyond what was once the usual PR and propaganda." Vian and I are of course grateful to Dr. Asif and the Journal Place Branding & Public Diplomacy for reviewing the book! We appreciate any orders of the hardback for your university library. Thank you! Best wishes, Emma -- *Dr Emma L Briant* Visiting Associate Professor at Notre Dame University, USA Fellow at Bard College, Human Rights Project, USA Associate at George Washington University, Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication, USA Associate at University of Cambridge, Center for Financial Reporting & Accountability, UK Affiliate at Monash University, Monash Global Peace and Security Centre, Australia Speaking agent: Chartwell Speakers <https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/emma-briant/> Book agent: Inkwell Management <https://inkwellmanagement.com/> Author of: *Propaganda and Counter-Terrorism: Strategies for Global Change *from Manchester University Press Co-Author of: *Bad News for Refugees* with Prof. Greg Philo and Dr. Pauline Donald from Pluto Press. Support my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/emmalbriant Website: www.emma-briant.co.uk Sign up for my Newsletter! <https://emma-briant.co.uk/sign-up-for-important-updates/> Follow me on Mastodon @emmalbriant@mastodon.online Follow me on Twitter @emmalbriant "I thought yesterday was the first day of the rest of my life but it turns out today is." - Steve Martin “Women are like teabags . We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water.” - Unknown