This was a good book. I really love the world building and the characters. The pacing was really good and it was an interesting story to read. This was a wild book and it took me on such a crazy ride

Fun, buzzy book. It is a super quick read and I often found myself captivated by the story. Felt a little self congratulatory at times and didn't really have an overarching narrative throughout but I enjoyed.

Thanks to the publisher for access to this book! I very much enjoyed it - both the description of a world I'm not too familiar with (PR) as well as the author's examination of his struggles with mental illness and substance use.

Man this book was a ride! It had the anxiety-inducing suspense of fiction, but I was hooked from page 1. This story was crazy and mind blowing at times, but Elwood gives both a narrative on PR as a career but also on politics and social justice. I found the book absolutely fascinating.

I had many conflicting feelings when I read this book. First there was horror and disbelief as Phil Elwood told story after story of working with the eponymous "worst humans" (not an exaggeration, think Muammar Gaddafi), but also an unhealthy fascination - people employed by dictators and foreign governments don't often share such details with the wider public. Then there was compassion, as I read about the impact this crazy job had on the author, leaving him with PTSD and severe depression. Towards the end I even began to cheer for him - but then I suddenly realised that I was reading the words of a man who is a master of manipulation, so I began to question how sincere his remorse was.

In the age of disinformation, it is certainly a timely and eye-opening read. And it is very well written - even the parts where you despise your narrator are maddeningly engaging.

Thanks to the publisher, Henry Holt and Co., and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a unique topic and I enjoyed getting to read this memoir. Phil Elwood does a great job in writing this and keeping me reading more. It sheds light on what’s going on behind the scenes and thought it worked perfectly.

Shocking, bleak, and oh so entertaining. Kudos to the author for sharing his stories and giving readers a glimpse of the power of PR and its intersections with global politics, crises, corruption, etc. Highly recommended, especially to readers interested in global affairs and anyone who has passed through or lived in the DC area.

Many thanks to Henry Holt & Company and NEtHalley for the opportunity to read a copy.