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bootman's review
5.0
I absolutely loved Jennifer’s previous book Is Shame Necessary?, so I was super excited when I saw she had a new book that just came out. This book is phenomenal, and I binged it in about a day. This book is short and direct, and it’s a great introduction to people who are unaware about how much big money influences science and our policies. There’s so much corruption going on and money flowing into scientific research and what the public is sold, but so many people are unaware.
Although I’m familiar with this topic, I definitely gained a ton of value from this book. For those of us who are aware of this type of manipulation. Jacquet takes an interesting angle that not only informs the reader, but it’s unique and kind of funny (in a scary way). After explaining the problems with how those in power are manipulating science and data, she gives you the playbook like you’re one of them. She tells you all of the dirty tricks to play to discredit actual scientists or how to be a corrupt researcher and pretend like you’ve done nothing wrong.
This is a much-needed book because this has been going on for decades, but it doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
Although I’m familiar with this topic, I definitely gained a ton of value from this book. For those of us who are aware of this type of manipulation. Jacquet takes an interesting angle that not only informs the reader, but it’s unique and kind of funny (in a scary way). After explaining the problems with how those in power are manipulating science and data, she gives you the playbook like you’re one of them. She tells you all of the dirty tricks to play to discredit actual scientists or how to be a corrupt researcher and pretend like you’ve done nothing wrong.
This is a much-needed book because this has been going on for decades, but it doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
transportedlfl's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Pantheon for the finished copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.
This is satirical nonfiction at its best. Framed as a second person, how-to guide, it details all the steps necessary for corporations to create doubt in science and stop policies and regulations that might hurt their bottom line.
It is extremely well sourced with extensive notes. The book tells the history of industry manipulation. It made me consider some techniques that I had never heard of or noticed before, particularly around how to challenge policies when it's tough to challenge the science. The final chapter suggested some upcoming changes that might make these corporate tactics more difficult.
The case studies were clear and helped further the point that these tactics are regularly employed by a variety of industries. I only wished that they were a bit easier to read, as I didn't like the switch to white text on a black background.
I would recommend everyone read this and then take a really cynical look at their beliefs about policy regulations and where they come from. But I hope that people get that it's satire. Otherwise, it could too easily continue to be the playbook that industries use to promote ignorance.
4.5 stars rounded up
This is satirical nonfiction at its best. Framed as a second person, how-to guide, it details all the steps necessary for corporations to create doubt in science and stop policies and regulations that might hurt their bottom line.
It is extremely well sourced with extensive notes. The book tells the history of industry manipulation. It made me consider some techniques that I had never heard of or noticed before, particularly around how to challenge policies when it's tough to challenge the science. The final chapter suggested some upcoming changes that might make these corporate tactics more difficult.
The case studies were clear and helped further the point that these tactics are regularly employed by a variety of industries. I only wished that they were a bit easier to read, as I didn't like the switch to white text on a black background.
I would recommend everyone read this and then take a really cynical look at their beliefs about policy regulations and where they come from. But I hope that people get that it's satire. Otherwise, it could too easily continue to be the playbook that industries use to promote ignorance.
4.5 stars rounded up
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
informative
4.0
Quick impressions: From the table of contents, readers can readily see they key topics a corporate executive needs to know how to deal with pesky journalists, activists, and other assorted troublemakers that could put their corporate stock price at risk.
(A full review with additional reading notes will be on my blog soon.)
(A full review with additional reading notes will be on my blog soon.)
shelby1994's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
2.0
Thank you to @Pantheon for sending this to me!
Our local bookstores have started selling zines again, mostly focused on activism and general anti-megacorporation issues. They’re fun, eye-catching, and carry that feeling of roughshod authenticity that only zines and indie pamphlets can.
The Playbook should have been a zine. It has that biting, sarcastic energy. The central conceit - that it’s a “how-to get away with science denial” manual handed out to new corporate leaders, is new - to a point. You can tell that this was probably incredibly fun to write, but I don’t think that the tone matched the volume of work.
There’s 100% a place for combining long-form work and playful activism (look at Patrick Radden-Keefe, Rachel Carson, Ibram X. Kendi, etc), but I think I would have come away more motivated and outraged if this was more concise.
Read If:
- You idolized Rachel Carson growing up
- You work for a PR firm
- You have a knee-jerk reaction to people criticizing scientists (remember, scientists can be shitty too <3)
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