This is a small book, handy for carrying around (unlike Harry Potter which is what I read just prior to it!). It aims to act as an expose on the nature of media manipulation, both governmental and commercial in a post 9/11 world.Some of the text is very good, dealing with the idea of 'rebranding' of America which has been the job of Charlotte Beers since 9/11. Experienced as an advertising guru Ms. Beers was given the job of countering the negative views of the US around the world. Of course, the idea of changing the behaviour which caused the negative perceptions hardly registers on the radar!In the end the answer this book advocated was a groundswell of counter propaganda, fighting fire with fire. This seemed to me to be a deeply pessimistic approach. What about information that isn't tainted by the message givers agenda.Other than this, the book was interesting and well written. ( )