BIG LIES

In this noteworthy guide to media literacy, Kurlansky (Bugs in Danger) details events occurring over the past 300 years to break down the "big lies" that permeate global history and explore how they affect the current U.S. media landscape. Using examples throughout history, Kurlansky breaks down how politicians have repeatedly used propaganda and misinformation to control public perception and offers a checklist for differentiating fact from fiction. Zelz's (My Monster Moofy) emotive, full-color art depicts humorous caricature portraits of historic thinkers, and distills ideas presented throughout the narrative via comics spreads at chapters' end. Employing conversational prose, cohesive timelines, and digestible examples, the creators encourage readers to think critically, citing that a "lack of caring what is true or false is the undoing of democracy.-- "Publishers Weekly - Starred Review" (7/15/2022 12:00:00 AM)
This book takes on a dense and complicated subject; Kurlansky's genius is to embrace the complexity and urge readers to question everything they read, including this book.-- "Kirkus - Starred Review" (7/6/2022 12:00:00 AM)
The text is detailed, well organized, and relevant to our times. Kurlansky does a particularly fine job of placing disturbing recent trends within a historical context. Many books advise young people on recognizing propaganda techniques, but this one offers a particularly broad view of how and why political leaders, hucksters, and others with personal or political agendas lie, how technological changes have magnified the lies' effectiveness, and how critical thinking skills enable people to recognize the big lies that can threaten a free society.-- "Booklist" (9/15/2022 12:00:00 AM)