Official Review: Manipulated: Inside the Cyberwar to hija...

[Kibet Hillary]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Manipulated: Inside the Cyberwar to hijack elections and distort the truth" by Theresa Payton.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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How do you know what you know? What is your primary source of information and news?

“Bullets aren’t flying here, but we’re under siege, deep in the middle of a new type of war.”

The quotation above summarizes the current situation in the world when it comes to manipulation and misinformation. Manipulated: Inside the Cyberwar to Hijack Elections and Distort the Truth, authored by Theresa Payton, casts a glance at the past, paints a picture of the present, and gives a glimpse of the future. The nonfiction book is approximately 208 pages long.

Drawing from well-documented facts in history, the author shows how political interference and manipulation have been in play since time immemorial. While reasons for manipulation entailed goals like producing subjects who were more loyal in the past, they have now become more sinister as they can destabilize nations. Moreover, spreading propaganda is nowadays simple and can reach millions within a short time. What was meant for good, like anonymity, has been leveraged to launch attacks on individuals, companies, systems, and democracies.

The manipulation and misinformation playbook has attracted many users. Countries are targeting countries and citizens manipulating other citizens. Some are caught in the web unaware while others are lured by the lucrative nature of the campaigns. Readers will be shocked to learn how countries like Russia have meddled with both social and political issues of other nations. The big question is whether what has been brought to light is everything or just the tip of the iceberg. The inclusion of an interview with a hacker added weight to the subject while revealing the manipulators may be around us.

Who are the leading players in the game of manipulation? What are their methods? What are their overarching goals? Are there possible remedies to these attacks?

While acknowledging the threat of flipping votes, the author states that the gravest risk of election meddling is the loss of public confidence. Ultimately, it is democracy itself at risk. What I liked most is that the author shows there is hope if everyone takes responsibility. This message was like light shining in a dark place, as most people seem to be in despair.

The reader is encouraged to take an active role in this modern battle by not participating in the manipulation campaigns. Besides, reporting any case of manipulation or voter influence to the relevant authorities was another critical intervention. The author additionally provides relatively cheap and available solutions such as turning on Google alerts for mentions of your name or company. This, when compared with the debilitating consequences of misinformation, is worth the little time and effort one will spend building the security wall. Further, there are tips on how to mark posts as false on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google. Eventually, the reader is not just a helpless victim but a crucial player in winning the war.

There is nothing I disliked about the book. Editing was professionally done, and the language adopted was straightforward. The expertise and experience of the author in cybersecurity were evident. The dramatization of factual and potential events made my reading experience more enthralling. Consequently, a barrage of questions kept bombarding my mind and thus prompting me to think critically.

Therefore, I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. Whereas the focus is the 2016 US elections, Brexit, and other countries that have been hit, the appropriate interventions proposed are suitable for all regardless of nationality. The call is for all nations, global organizations, big tech companies, and individuals to act immediately. As a result, I recommend the book to every reader interested in the fight against manipulation and misinformation.

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Manipulated: Inside the Cyberwar to hijack elections and distort the truth
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[Pandora10]

Very interesting review for this book. I like the fact that it has been written by a cybersecurity expert. This might be worth taking a look at.

[Gbemisola Akinremi]

I'm not sure this book piqued my interest, but this is definitely a well written and detailed review. Thank you

[Aisha Yakub]

It's really easy to get misinformed. Thanks for this insight

[Beauty Kalu22]

Thank you for a well detailed and honest review. I've always loved non fiction books and this sounds like one I'll definitely love to have for myself.

[Stevenmusk]

Not my genre of books. Great review and cover art

[Joshua Sawders]

Review: From the review, it seems that "Manipulated: Inside the Cyberwar to Hijack Elections and Distort the Truth" by Theresa Payton is an insightful and eye-opening read. The author delves into the history of political manipulation and misinformation, highlighting the current state of affairs and potential future implications. It brings to light the alarming extent of manipulation in our society, with countries and individuals using tactics to destabilize nations and deceive citizens. The book not only identifies the leading players in this manipulative game but also offers possible remedies and empowers readers to take an active role in combating manipulation. The reviewer commends the author's expertise, engaging writing style, and the effectiveness of the proposed interventions. Overall, it appears that this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding and fighting against manipulation and misinformation. Richly detailed world-building, felt immersive.

[Gerry Steen]

Propaganda has been around forever. Take everything we hear with a grain of salt. We must hold on to and nurture democracy. It is great that the author promotes individual responsibility in taking care of this matter. I am interested in learning all of the possible remedies to this problem. We can start by knowing and taking care of our neighbors, friends, and families. Everyone has something to say face to face. This is better and safer than social media. Thank you for this thorough review.

[Seetha E]

This book discusses the important subject of manipulation and misinformation. Recently, I read how Oobah Butler, who proved what social media is all about: Using social media, he turned a non-existent hotel into a number one on the charts that people were desperately trying to book, all with fake social media hype. One can imagine what can be done when the powerful use it, or government bodies use it...

Online content seems to be trusted more than we trust someone speaking with us across the table. With that kind of power, if not kept in check, it can turn out dangerous.
I appreciate your informative review.