The Rhetoric of Manipulation

Reviews / Votes

An impassioned investigation into the creeping co-option of language, Robert Harvey examines the militarization of terminology, the misuse of 'ironic' scare quotes, the demonization of Critical Race Theory, 'cancel culture' and 'wokeism,' and the suppression of critical positions so integral to the humanities. With Victor Klemperer's detailed account of the Nazification of language as a key reference point and Jean-Francois Lyotard's Critical Watch as our guide, the seemingly inconsequential transformation of everyday speech takes an Orwellian turn. The Rhetoric of Manipulation is an important, careful critique in the face of proliferating semantic perversions. * Kiff Bamford, Professor of Art and Philosophy, Leeds Beckett University, UK * The Rhetoric of Manipulation couldn't come at a better time. In it, Robert Harvey critiques loose and unscrupulous uses of language and compellingly warns of the dangers of semantic imprecision. Harvey's wit and dazzling way with words make this book fun to read even as it points us to terrifying realities. * Anne Brancky, Associate Professor of French and Francophone Studies, Vassar College, USA * In the most eloquent way, Harvey's book systematically points out and analyzes the pitfalls of the present slumber of reason and the monsters it produces. Must-read reading in the age of manipulation! * Sverre Raffnsoe, Professor of Philosophy, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark *