Attack from Within

How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America

By: Barbara McQuade

Narrated by: Barbara McQuade

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

MSNBC's legal expert breaks down the ways disinformation has become a tool to drive voters to extremes, disempower our legal structures, and consolidate power in the hands of the few.

American society is more polarized than ever before. We are strategically being pushed apart by disinformation-the deliberate spreading of lies disguised as truth-and it comes at us from all sides: opportunists on the far right, Russian misinformed social media influencers, among others. It's endangering our democracy and causing havoc in our electoral system, schools, hospitals, workplaces, and in our Capitol. Advances in technology including rapid developments in artificial intelligence threaten to make the problems even worse by amplifying false claims and manufacturing credibility. In Attack from Within, legal scholar and analyst Barbara McQuade, shows us how to identify the ways disinformation is seeping into all facets of our society and how we can fight against it.

Disinformation is designed to evoke a strong emotional response to push us toward more extreme views, unable to find common ground with others. The false claims that led to the breathtaking attack on our Capitol in 2020 may have been only a dress rehearsal. Attack from Within shows us how to prevent it from happening again, thus preserving our country's hard-won democracy.

©2024 Barbara McQuade (P)2024 Tantor

HONESTY MATTERS

An honest warning to all of us in America who wish to continue an America we have always taken for granted.

Important information

I thought was thought provoking and helpful information. Sometimes redundant examples but under different topics. As even handed as possible in today’s circumstances.

Important topic, great analysis

The last two chapters were amazing. Excellent suggestions toward resolving a difficult and important problem.

Thoughtful

Thoughtful and well written. Things Americans should be thinking about related to our political system, and what we tolerate.

Fight and defend against this information.

How the author clearly articulated what the problem is with authoritarianism, using disinformation to mislead the American public

Action!

I appreciated Barbara’s recap of all of DJT’s rants and comparisons to dictators. Her most thought provoking ideas centered around ways to combat misinformation. It is a must read for anyone interested in doing something! Thank you Barbara.

We must arm ourselves, with truth.

In a time of rising authoritarianism that seeks to wield power through misinformation and racist, misogynistic aggression, we can only respond with a clear eyed enthusiasm for the ideals that this country was based on: a shared life, an unbounded Liberty, and a common pursuit of happiness. We must fly in the face of the demagogy which would use division and derision to separate us as a country. 

Clear, Concise Examination

Thank you, Barbara, for such a clear, concise book and your never failing spirit of democracy whenever I see you on TV. We need your strength to keep us going in the face of all today's difficulties!

Truth

Mrs McQuade presents the hard to hear truths about dis- and misinformation utilization within America against Americans. Education is power, and everyone should read this book. It will inoculate you against the bad intentions of authoritarian speeches. History is watching. Wake up America!

Topics were well explained.

I enjoyed the entire story because it gave me a good summary of the problems our nation is facing due to conspiracy theories and lies .