{"product_id":"the-art-of-political-storytelling-9781350266148","title":"The Art of Political Storytelling","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eNow in paperback and with a new Afterword offering insights into the events of 2020 and early 2021, including the pandemic, global protests, racial justice debates and the US presidential election, this book provides an original and compelling way of understanding the chaotic world of today's politics. In our post-truth world, tapping into people's emotions has proved far more effective than rational argument  and, as Seargeant argues, the most powerful tool for manipulating emotions is a gripping narrative.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e From Trump's America to Brexit Britain, weaving a good story, featuring fearless protagonists, challenging quests against seemingly insurmountable odds, and soundbite after soundbite of memorable dialogue has been at the heart of political success. So does an understanding of the art of storytelling help explain today's successful political movements? Can it translate into a blueprint for victory at the ballot box?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Art of Political Storytelling\u003c\/i\u003e looks at\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInteresting and readable, this survey of the political storyteller's toolbox goes a long way to account for the recent successes of provocative populist leaders around the world and makes an enlightening guide to our current political moment ... 4 stars (\u003ci\u003eof the hardback edition).\u003c\/i\u003e * The Herald *\u003cbr\u003eA brilliant deconstruction of propaganda and how it co-opts dramatic and narrative technique, throwing into doubt truth, fact and identity (\u003ci\u003eof the hardback edition).\u003c\/i\u003e * Irish Times *\u003cbr\u003eEverybody with at least a fleeting interest in politics \u003ci\u003emust \u003c\/i\u003eread this book (\u003ci\u003eof the hardback edition).\u003c\/i\u003e * LSE Review of Books *\u003cbr\u003eThe biggest strength of this book is the various examples analyzed within the overarching topic of storytelling and fake news ... The book also draws upon traditional literary theories to interpret current political trends, which offers a compelling theoretical attempt that deserves critical attention from fellow researchers in critical discourse studies ... An enjoyable text for whoever seeks to explore the troubling subject of post-truth politics (\u003ci\u003eof the hardback edition).\u003c\/i\u003e * LINGUIST List *\u003cbr\u003eIn the first place there has to be a monster, a seemingly unbeatable foe that sweeps all before it and brutalises the citizens. And then of course, you need a hero, a leader, a figurehead for a rebel alliance fighting to reclaim paradise for the people. Is this Star Wars or just everyday politics? There is actually no great distinction, although there may be fewer Wookies in science fiction. This is the central and entirely correct contention of Philip Seargeant’s \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Political Storytelling\u003c\/i\u003e, an examination of how politicians win hearts by weaving narratives around themselves (\u003ci\u003eof the hardback edition).\u003c\/i\u003e * Robert Shrimsley, the Financial Times’ chief UK political commentator *\u003cbr\u003ePhilip Seargeant's utterly original and fascinating book provides a unique perspective on our current \"post-truth\" predicament. What to do when you realize that some (or even most) people are persuaded not by arguments but by stories? And what if some of those stories aren't true? The importance of narrative in political discourse is brilliantly illuminated. Read it and lament, read it and understand, or read it to learn how to win an election! (\u003ci\u003eof the hardback edition).\u003c\/i\u003e * Lee McIntyre, Author of 'Post-Truth' (MIT 2018) and Research Fellow, Center for Philosophy and History of Science, Boston University, USA *\u003cbr\u003eEnlightening and entertaining, this book reveals how we have become actors in politicians’ stories and how we can take back control of our own destinies (\u003ci\u003eof the hardback edition).\u003c\/i\u003e * Peter Pomerantsev, Senior Fellow, Institute of Global Affairs, London School of Economics, UK and Research Fellow, Johns Hopkins University, USA *\u003cbr\u003eIn the current interregnum, this is an important and timely book significantly contributing to our understanding of how storytelling that has long been mastered by political leaders has led to the social orders we experience, embrace, and reject. This book offers valuable pathways for us to tell our own counter-stories (\u003ci\u003eof the hardback edition).\u003c\/i\u003e * Christian W. Chun, Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA *\u003cbr\u003eIn this timely and cogent work, Philip Seargeant analyses how politicians construct their narratives and why voters prefer a good tale to verifiable facts. As conspiracy theories thrive and the very meaning of the word \u003ci\u003etruth\u003c\/i\u003e is called into question, this is an important book for our times (\u003ci\u003eof the hardback edition).\u003c\/i\u003e * Steve Buckledee, Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics, University of Cagliari, Italy *\u003cbr\u003eThis is an engaging and timely account of the fundamental role of storytelling in all aspects of political life. Rich with examples, it gives us tools for understanding how stories are crafted, and how they shape our world. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to understand the current political environment (\u003ci\u003eof the hardback edition).\u003c\/i\u003e * Piia Varis, Associate Professor, Tilburg University, The Netherlands *\u003cbr\u003eSeargeant argues that one really cannot fully understand the recent political successes of the Brexit campaign and politicians such as Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro and Viktor Orbán, without taking into account how much their ongoing communication resembles the storytelling found in popular culture and in Hollywood films in particular. In some ways, this is a frightening book, but it is one that should be read by anyone interested in how political communication is crafted today (\u003ci\u003eof the hardback edition).\u003c\/i\u003e * David Block, ICREA Professor in Sociolinguistics, Pompeu Fabra University, Spain *\u003cbr\u003ePolitical storytelling is one of the most persuasive forms of communication with voters. What is most chilling, however, is that it works even if the story isn't true. In this updated edition of his brilliant work \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Political Storytelling\u003c\/i\u003e, Philip Seargeant's insights help us come to terms with the perplexing, frightening, damnable, heartbreaking juggernaut of events that was 2020....and likely beyond (\u003ci\u003eof the New in Paperback edition). \u003c\/i\u003e * Lee McIntyre, Author of 'Post-Truth' (MIT 2018) and Research Fellow, Center for Philosophy and History of Science, Boston University, USA *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcknowledgements  \u003cb\u003ePart I: Apocalyptic Politics\u003c\/b\u003e  1. Setting the Scene  2. Let’s Begin with the Facts  3. Popular Fiction  \u003cb\u003ePart II: Shaping the Story\u003c\/b\u003e  4. Explanatory Stories  5. What Makes a Good Story?  6. Dramatic Structure  \u003cb\u003ePart III: Language and Rhetoric\u003c\/b\u003e  7. Spectacle and Emotion  8. A Post-Truth Lexicon  9. Digital Disinformation  \u003cb\u003ePart IV: Fiction and Reality\u003c\/b\u003e  10. The Fabric of Reality  11. Conspiracy Politics  12. The Lie that Tells the Truth Afterword  Index\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bloomsbury Publishing PLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49407527518551,"sku":"9781350266148","price":15.19,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781350266148.jpg?v=1730499674","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-art-of-political-storytelling-9781350266148","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}