
The Echo Machine
How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America
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Narrated by:
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David Pakman
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By:
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David Pakman
About this listen
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER
"For anyone who wants to stand up to disinformation and deepen their understanding of politics without getting lost in jargon, this book is essential reading.”
—Brian Tyler Cohen, YouTuber and bestselling author of Shameless
From the host of The David Pakman Show comes a vital exploration of how right-wing extremism, media manipulation, and ideological echo chambers have eroded critical thinking and deepened political divisions —and how we can fight back to save our democracy
The 2024 election cycle made one thing clear: disinformation isn’t just a byproduct of our political system—it’s a weaponized force shaping public opinion. In The Echo Machine, popular radio and podcast host David Pakman unpacks how misinformation spreads, why people become trapped in ideological bubbles, and the real-world consequences of media echo chambers on democracy. With his trademark clarity and sharp analysis, Pakman offers a roadmap for breaking free from cycles of manipulation and reclaiming critical thinking.
Deeply researched and accessibly written, The Echo Machine is not just an exposé but a call to action. Beyond dissecting how we got to this point, Pakman also offers tangible solutions for how we can fix our broken system: increasing media literacy, cultivating intellectual humility, and consciously engaging with diverse viewpoints.
Whether you’re left-leaning, right-leaning, or somewhere in between, The Echo Machine challenges you to rethink the information you consume and recognize the forces shaping modern discourse. In an era where misinformation is rampant and democracy hangs in the balance, this book is an essential guide to navigating the political landscape with clarity and reason.
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Critic reviews
“Understanding how our political system has become broken in favor of reactionary ignorance is vital for saving our democracy. David Pakman accessibly explains how we got here and offers potential solutions for confronting the ongoing abandonment of critical thinking. In a time when political engagement is more crucial than ever, this is a must-read for every American looking to navigate the future of politics with clarity, purpose, and a commitment to preserving our democracy.”
—Barbara McQuade, author of Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America
“David Pakman is a pioneer in digital media who has reshaped the way political news is presented. His book The Echo Machine is a masterpiece that exposes the rot in corporate media and offers a clear path forward to restore integrity and rebuild the Fourth Estate.” —Ben Meiselas, cofounder MeidasTouch Network
“David Pakman has been an inspiration of mine for a long time, and this book is a testament to why. David uses his sharp wit in The Echo Machine to confront and dismantle the right-wing tactics that have polarized our country and left so many disillusioned and doubtful about the prospect of progress. For anyone who wants to stand up to disinformation and deepen their understanding of politics without getting lost in jargon, this book is essential reading.” —Brian Tyler Cohen, YouTuber and author of Shameless
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Story
Inspired by her research for the hit podcast Ultra, Rachel Maddow charts the rise of a wild American strain of authoritarianism that has been alive on the far-right edge of our politics for the better part of a century. Before and even after our troops had begun fighting abroad in World War II, a clandestine network flooded the country with disinformation aimed at sapping the strength of the U.S. war effort and persuading Americans that our natural alliance was with the Axis, not against it.
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The fight to keep democracy alive
- By Rex on 10-19-23
By: Rachel Maddow
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Bad Law
- Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America
- By: Elie Mystal
- Narrated by: Elie Mystal
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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The New York Times bestselling author brings his trademark legal acumen and passionate snark to offer a brilliant takedown of ten shocking pieces of legislation that continue to perpetuate hate, racial bias, injustice, and inequality today—an urgent yet hopeful story for our current political climate
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He has justified anger
- By Elsa Alcala on 05-21-25
By: Elie Mystal
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Erasing History
- By: Jason Stanley
- Narrated by: Dion Graham
- Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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Combining historical research with an in-depth analysis of our modern political landscape, Erasing History issues a dire warning for America and the world: the worst fascist movements of humanity’s past began in schools; the same place so many of today’s right-wing political parties have trained their most vicious attacks. Yale professor Jason Stanley exposes the true danger of the right’s tactics and traces their inspirations and funding back to some of the most dangerous ideas of human history.
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The bias attitude of the author
- By Elizabeth ohanna on 09-30-24
By: Jason Stanley
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Revenge
- The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power
- By: Alex Isenstadt
- Narrated by: Alan Peterson
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Over the course of the last four years, the American public looked on as the former president faced a series of daunting obstacles to return to the White House. The lingering cloud of January 6, a shadow effort within the Republican establishment to defeat him in the primary, multiple indictments, assassination attempts, and an 11th hour change of his opponent all threatened to derail his return to power at any moment.
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if you followed the election, you already know most of it, but it's still a great listen.
- By Tony on 03-22-25
By: Alex Isenstadt
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Mad House
- How Donald Trump, MAGA Mean Girls, a Former Used Car Salesman, a Florida Nepo Baby, and a Man with Rats in His Walls Broke Congress
- By: Annie Karni, Luke Broadwater
- Narrated by: Karen Murray
- Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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The United States Congress has always been messy and far-from-august, but as Annie Karni and Luke Broadwater show here, in scorching, shocking detail, it has reached some kind of chaotic bottom. The anarchy that reigned over Congress’s lower chamber in the wake of the January 6th attack on the Capitol Building—the election of serial liar and con-man George Santos, revenge porn being shown on the floor of the house, and the theatrical high jinks of Lauren Boebert—all were a sign of decay and dysfunction of the highest order.
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The crazy behind the scenes in DC
- By Charles Staten Island NY on 04-28-25
By: Annie Karni, and others
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Money, Lies, and God
- Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy
- By: Katherine Stewart
- Narrated by: Patricia Rodriguez
- Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Why have so many Americans turned against democracy? In this deeply reported book, Katherine Stewart takes us to conferences of conspiracy-mongers, backroom strategy gatherings, and services at extremist churches, and profiles the people who want to tear it all down.
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Describes a well funded international fascist cult
- By marwalk on 03-24-25
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Abundance
- By: Ezra Klein, Derek Thompson
- Narrated by: Ezra Klein, Derek Thompson
- Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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To trace the history of the twenty-first century so far is to trace a history of unaffordability and shortage. After years of refusing to build sufficient housing, America has a national housing crisis. After years of limiting immigration, we don’t have enough workers. Despite decades of being warned about the consequences of climate change, we haven’t built anything close to the clean-energy infrastructure we need. Ambitious public projects are finished late and over budget—if they are ever finished at all.
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Advice to the Democratic Party from Klein & Thompson
- By Betsy Fowler on 03-31-25
By: Ezra Klein, and others
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Justice Is Coming
- How Progressives Are Going to Take Over the Country and America Is Going to Love It
- By: Cenk Uygur
- Narrated by: Cenk Uygur
- Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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The media can't stop talking about the gridlock in Washington, as if a handful of stubborn Republicans are the only thing standing between us and a fully-functional democracy. The reality is that our government was taken over by big business and their allies in both political parties. The getaway driver in this heist was corporate media. The good news is that the American people are very progressive. And soon progressives will take over Washington as well! And when they do, the great majority of Americans will love it.
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Much better than expected
- By Tracy B on 09-23-23
By: Cenk Uygur
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Too Much and Never Enough
- How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man
- By: Mary L. Trump PhD
- Narrated by: Mary L. Trump PhD
- Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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In this revelatory, authoritative portrait of Donald J. Trump and the toxic family that made him, Mary L. Trump, a trained clinical psychologist and Donald’s only niece, shines a bright light on the dark history of their family in order to explain how her uncle became the man who now threatens the world’s health, economic security, and social fabric.
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I almost feel sorry Donald Trump.
- By Deb on 07-15-20
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Unthinkable
- Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy
- By: Jamie Raskin
- Narrated by: Jamie Raskin
- Length: 15 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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In this searing memoir, Congressman Jamie Raskin tells the story of the forty-five days at the start of 2021 that permanently changed his life—and his family’s—as he confronted the painful loss of his son to suicide, lived through the violent insurrection in our nation’s Capitol, and led the impeachment effort to hold President Trump accountable for inciting the political violence.
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Must reading/listening for every American who has despaired of losing our democracy.
- By Shirley Anderson on 01-06-22
By: Jamie Raskin
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Attack from Within
- How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America
- By: Barbara McQuade
- Narrated by: Barbara McQuade
- Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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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.
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Trump bashing
- By joseph clayson on 03-09-24
By: Barbara McQuade
An smartly written take on the future of the US
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Speaking Truth to Delusion
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very informative
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Excellent read
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Our Democracy as we know it is rapidly under increased threat, these are the kind of ideas that make a path forward possible.
Read it while you can.
Timely
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Great Listen, Short Though - Maybe not for me?
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engaging
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With tears in my eyes...
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A fantastic first entry into nonfiction!
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A clear and concise explanation of American politics today.
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