Description

Book Synopsis

Uncovers the devastating psychological, social and environmental costs of advertising



Trade Review

'Examines the environmental, mental and social costs of advertising'

-- 'Independent'

‘A wonderfully witty, biting and really useful exploration of all the wrong that ads do’

-- 'Irish Independent'

'Brilliant work ... if you thought your brain was being gently warmed by the advertising industry, read this book and you'll realise it's being fried. I couldn't believe just how effective and how underhand some of the tactics being used in advertising are Badvertising shows how we are all prisoners, but it also passes us the keys to our cells. This book was a watershed moment for me. Since it can't have an advertising campaign, we all need to tell our friends about it.'

-- Jeremy Vine, broadcaster, journalist, host of BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine show

'A hugely timely and important book that grapples with advertising's role in enabling climate crimes - and sets out why and how we need to stop the industry's complicity in its tracks, for the sake of a liveable future.'

-- Caroline Lucas MP

'A much-needed book whose time has come. The continued advertising of high-carbon products at a time of climate crisis is a form of insanity. The authors are absolutely right to call for a ban, and it can't happen too soon.'

-- Bill McGuire, Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards, UCL

'Why do we allow adverts that actively promote our own destruction? Halting climate catastrophe is hard enough without ads selling things that pollute more. It's extraordinary the simple case for tobacco-style bans hasn't been made so clearly before. With Badvertising, Simms and Murray have done the world an urgent favour. Funny and readable, [it] will make us all see the world and the advertising we are immersed in 24/7 in a very different way.'

-- Dr Chris Van Tulleken, infectious diseases doctor, broadcaster and author of 'Ultra-Processed People'

'Simms and Murray are right to lay so much blame at the door of the advertising industry ... [they] are clear-headed guides through the fog. Learn the history, be enraged at the tactics, and join the struggle for a less polluted public sphere.'

-- Sam Knights, writer, actor, activist

Table of Contents

List of Figures
Preface
Introduction: Advertising and the Insidious Rise of Brain Pollution
1. Badvertising, Priming, Propaganda and Surveillance Advertising
2. How Advertising Increases Consumption
3. How We Banned Tobacco Advertising
4. Sports Advertising and Sponsorship: The Great Pollution Own Goal
5. How Big Car Persuaded Us to Buy Big Cars
6. How Airlines Took Us For a Ride
7. Why Self-Regulation Isn’t Working
8. A World Without Advertising
Acknowledgements
Notes
Index

Badvertising

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£18.00

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RRP £20.00 – you save £2.00 (10%)

Order before 4pm today for delivery by Thu 22 Jan 2026.

A Hardback by Andrew Simms, Leo Murray

15 in stock


    View other formats and editions of Badvertising by Andrew Simms

    Publisher: Pluto Press
    Publication Date: 20/11/2023
    ISBN13: 9780745349145, 978-0745349145
    ISBN10: 0745349145

    Description

    Book Synopsis

    Uncovers the devastating psychological, social and environmental costs of advertising



    Trade Review

    'Examines the environmental, mental and social costs of advertising'

    -- 'Independent'

    ‘A wonderfully witty, biting and really useful exploration of all the wrong that ads do’

    -- 'Irish Independent'

    'Brilliant work ... if you thought your brain was being gently warmed by the advertising industry, read this book and you'll realise it's being fried. I couldn't believe just how effective and how underhand some of the tactics being used in advertising are Badvertising shows how we are all prisoners, but it also passes us the keys to our cells. This book was a watershed moment for me. Since it can't have an advertising campaign, we all need to tell our friends about it.'

    -- Jeremy Vine, broadcaster, journalist, host of BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine show

    'A hugely timely and important book that grapples with advertising's role in enabling climate crimes - and sets out why and how we need to stop the industry's complicity in its tracks, for the sake of a liveable future.'

    -- Caroline Lucas MP

    'A much-needed book whose time has come. The continued advertising of high-carbon products at a time of climate crisis is a form of insanity. The authors are absolutely right to call for a ban, and it can't happen too soon.'

    -- Bill McGuire, Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards, UCL

    'Why do we allow adverts that actively promote our own destruction? Halting climate catastrophe is hard enough without ads selling things that pollute more. It's extraordinary the simple case for tobacco-style bans hasn't been made so clearly before. With Badvertising, Simms and Murray have done the world an urgent favour. Funny and readable, [it] will make us all see the world and the advertising we are immersed in 24/7 in a very different way.'

    -- Dr Chris Van Tulleken, infectious diseases doctor, broadcaster and author of 'Ultra-Processed People'

    'Simms and Murray are right to lay so much blame at the door of the advertising industry ... [they] are clear-headed guides through the fog. Learn the history, be enraged at the tactics, and join the struggle for a less polluted public sphere.'

    -- Sam Knights, writer, actor, activist

    Table of Contents

    List of Figures
    Preface
    Introduction: Advertising and the Insidious Rise of Brain Pollution
    1. Badvertising, Priming, Propaganda and Surveillance Advertising
    2. How Advertising Increases Consumption
    3. How We Banned Tobacco Advertising
    4. Sports Advertising and Sponsorship: The Great Pollution Own Goal
    5. How Big Car Persuaded Us to Buy Big Cars
    6. How Airlines Took Us For a Ride
    7. Why Self-Regulation Isn’t Working
    8. A World Without Advertising
    Acknowledgements
    Notes
    Index

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