304 pages / 6.00 x 9.00 inches / 1 halftone, 1 map, 3 charts
History / World War II | History / American History | Language Arts / Journalism
Though historians have largely overlooked Robert Horton, his public relations campaigns remain fixed in popular memory of the home front during World War II. Utilizing all media—including the nascent technology of television—to rally civilian support, Horton’s work ranged from educational documentary shorts like Pots to Planes, which depicted the transformation of aluminum household items into aircraft, to posters employing scare tactics such as a German soldier with large eyes staring forward with the tagline “He’s Watching You.” Iconic and calculated, Horton’s campaigns raise important questions about the role of public relations in government agencies. When are promotional campaigns acceptable? Does war necessitate persuasive communication? What separates information from propaganda? Promoting the War Effort traces the career of Horton—the first book-length study to do so—and delves into the controversies surrounding federal public relations.
“Mordecai Lee’s book is a perfect example of why historians comb through the archives, as it showcases the gold nugget one gets when sifting through history. . . . This work is one that all PR professionals and PR students should be required to read to help both understand the origins of public relations and the exercise of government PR in peacetime and war.”—American Journalism
“The book is to be commended for filling a gap in wartime propaganda history and tackling tough questions about government PR through a case study that resonates with modern readers.”—Journalism History
Information Division Organizational Charts
Signs and Posters
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