
The Echo Machine
How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $21.84
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
David Pakman
-
By:
-
David Pakman
About this listen
"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
From the host of The David Pakman Show comes a vital look at how right-wing extremism has led to the fall of critical thinking and rise of reactionary politics—and what we can do about it to save our democracy
Known for providing incisive progressive political analysis without being dogmatic, popular radio and podcast host David Pakman delves into the vicious cycle of reactionary political ideology.
If there is one thing the 2024 election cycle showed us, it’s how the right-wing has benefited and capitalized on disinformation and the polarization of US politics. Critical thinking and media literacy are on a rapid decline, and our republic is unable to agree upon a shared set of facts.
Infused with Pakman’s signature pragmatic insight, The Echo Machine is not just a critique nor an instruction manual, but an invitation to think, question, and understand how we got to this point and what we can do to mend our broken system. Deeply researched and accessibly written, listeners will learn:
- The underlying issues with political discourse in America today.
- How these issues have led to the intellectual race to the bottom.
- Practical ways to improve discourse through improving critical thinking, media literacy, and public education.
- Examples from real-world debates and discussions to better understand the impact of these issues on our democracy and why leftism is the best path forward.
Pakman calmly cuts through the alarmist noise to inspire listeners across the political spectrum to break out of our toxic political echo chambers and ultimately save our democracy.
©2025 David Pakman (P)2025 Beacon Press AudioListeners also enjoyed...
-
Shameless
- Republicans’ Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy
- By: Brian Tyler Cohen
- Narrated by: Brian Tyler Cohen
- Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Shameless, Brian Tyler Cohen lays bare the long con of the modern Republican Party. While the radical right continues hiding behind gaslighting maneuvers, artificial slogans, and hollow catchphrases, Cohen’s unflinching narrative illuminates the realities and dangers of the ever-widening gulf between the vaunted Republican brand and their actual behavior.
-
-
Great read and informative!
- By LizzyD629 on 08-29-24
-
Owned
- How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left
- By: Eoin Higgins
- Narrated by: Ramiz Monsef
- Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Owned is the story of the underreported and growing collusion between new wealth and new journalism. In recent years, right-wing billionaires like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, and David Sacks have turned to media as their next investment and source of influence. Their cronies are Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi—once known as idealistic and left-leaning voices, now beneficiaries of Silicon Valley largesse. Together, this new alliance aims to exploit the failings of traditional journalism and undermine the very idea of an independent and fact-based fourth estate.
-
-
More of a screed than an analysis
- By Jamie on 03-01-25
By: Eoin Higgins
-
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
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Powerful and Important work.
- By Frank Nance on 02-28-25
-
Abundance
- By: Ezra Klein, Derek Thompson
- Narrated by: Ezra Klein, Derek Thompson
- Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Advice to the Democratic Party from Klein & Thompson
- By Betsy Fowler on 03-31-25
By: Ezra Klein, and others
-
Erasing History
- By: Jason Stanley
- Narrated by: Dion Graham
- Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
The bias attitude of the author
- By Elizabeth ohanna on 09-30-24
By: Jason Stanley
-
Bad Law
- Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America
- By: Elie Mystal
- Narrated by: Elie Mystal
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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
-
-
my fav
- By Anonymous User on 04-02-25
By: Elie Mystal
-
Shameless
- Republicans’ Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy
- By: Brian Tyler Cohen
- Narrated by: Brian Tyler Cohen
- Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Shameless, Brian Tyler Cohen lays bare the long con of the modern Republican Party. While the radical right continues hiding behind gaslighting maneuvers, artificial slogans, and hollow catchphrases, Cohen’s unflinching narrative illuminates the realities and dangers of the ever-widening gulf between the vaunted Republican brand and their actual behavior.
-
-
Great read and informative!
- By LizzyD629 on 08-29-24
-
Owned
- How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left
- By: Eoin Higgins
- Narrated by: Ramiz Monsef
- Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Owned is the story of the underreported and growing collusion between new wealth and new journalism. In recent years, right-wing billionaires like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, and David Sacks have turned to media as their next investment and source of influence. Their cronies are Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi—once known as idealistic and left-leaning voices, now beneficiaries of Silicon Valley largesse. Together, this new alliance aims to exploit the failings of traditional journalism and undermine the very idea of an independent and fact-based fourth estate.
-
-
More of a screed than an analysis
- By Jamie on 03-01-25
By: Eoin Higgins
-
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
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Powerful and Important work.
- By Frank Nance on 02-28-25
-
Abundance
- By: Ezra Klein, Derek Thompson
- Narrated by: Ezra Klein, Derek Thompson
- Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Advice to the Democratic Party from Klein & Thompson
- By Betsy Fowler on 03-31-25
By: Ezra Klein, and others
-
Erasing History
- By: Jason Stanley
- Narrated by: Dion Graham
- Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
The bias attitude of the author
- By Elizabeth ohanna on 09-30-24
By: Jason Stanley
-
Bad Law
- Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America
- By: Elie Mystal
- Narrated by: Elie Mystal
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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
-
-
my fav
- By Anonymous User on 04-02-25
By: Elie Mystal
-
The Folly of Realism
- How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine
- By: Alexander Vindman
- Narrated by: Jacques Roy, Alexander Vindman
- Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, six US presidential administrations of both parties pursued policies for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia that emboldened Russia, playing into its imperialist, centuries-long mythos of regional hegemony. The result: military aggression and full-scale invasion. It was all too foreseeable. In The Folly of Realism, leading national security expert and bestselling author Alexander Vindman argues that America’s mistakes in Eastern Europe result from policymakers’ fixation on immediate, short-term problem-solving and misplaced hopes and fears.
-
-
Thought-provoking
- By Michelle R. on 04-18-25
-
Prequel
- An American Fight Against Fascism
- By: Rachel Maddow
- Narrated by: Rachel Maddow
- Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
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.
-
-
The fight to keep democracy alive
- By Rex on 10-19-23
By: Rachel Maddow
-
Revenge
- The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power
- By: Alex Isenstadt
- Narrated by: Alan Peterson
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
contains lies already proven false!
- By Marvin on 03-25-25
By: Alex Isenstadt
-
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
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
I almost feel sorry Donald Trump.
- By Deb on 07-15-20
-
All or Nothing
- How Trump Recaptured America
- By: Michael Wolff
- Narrated by: Michael Wolff, Holter Graham
- Length: 14 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Fire and Fury delivers a breathtaking insider account of the 2024 Trump campaign—undoubtedly the wildest, most unpredictable campaign in U.S. history, including multiple criminal trials, two assassination attempts, and a sudden switch of opponents.
-
-
Trump is a D**k
- By valerie on 03-02-25
By: Michael Wolff
-
The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump
- 37 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President - Updated and Expanded with New Essays
- By: Bandy X. Lee MD - editor
- Narrated by: William Dufris, Hillary Huber, Alex Hyde-White, and others
- Length: 17 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Originally released in fall 2017, The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump was a runaway best seller. Alarmed Americans and international onlookers wanted to know: What is wrong with him? That question still plagues us. The Trump administration has proven as chaotic and destructive as its opponents feared, and the man at the center of it all remains a cipher.
-
-
Experts discuss the world's biggest problem
- By Ted on 10-13-17
-
On Tyranny (Expanded Audio Edition)
- Updated with Twenty New Lessons from Russia's War on Ukraine
- By: Timothy Snyder
- Narrated by: Timothy Snyder
- Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this exclusive audiobook edition, which includes eight hours of new content, Snyder combines the original essays from On Tyranny with twenty new lessons that answer the questions everyone is asking about this war. With forays into history, he clarifies the causes of the Russian invasion and the meaning of Ukrainian resistance, and explains the war's connections to threats to democracy here in the United States and around the world. Linking past and present, speaking only from notes, he guides the listener into the larger moral universe of On Tyranny.
-
-
Best book of the decade
- By Chuck on 04-21-22
By: Timothy Snyder
-
How Fascism Works
- The Politics of Us and Them
- By: Jason Stanley
- Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
- Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the child of refugees of World War II Europe and a renowned philosopher and scholar of propaganda, Jason Stanley has a deep understanding of how democratic societies can be vulnerable to fascism: Nations don’t have to be fascist to suffer from fascist politics. In fact, fascism’s roots have been present in the United States for more than a century.
-
-
A Warning Too Clear to Ignore
- By Chip Auger on 10-30-18
By: Jason Stanley
-
200 Dangerous Truths About Project 2025
- Exposing the Real Threat to America’s Freedom and Democracy
- By: J. E. Fowlers
- Narrated by: Sharman Beth
- Length: 1 hr and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From J.E. Fowlers, best-selling author of Democracy at Risk, comes a groundbreaking exposé that uncovers the chilling truths behind Project 2025, a carefully orchestrated conservative blueprint threatening to reshape America’s democracy. 200 Dangerous Truths About Project 2025 tears apart the mystery, revealing 200 alarming facts straight from the Heritage Foundation’s Mandate for Leadership, organized into 20 powerful chapters.
-
-
Terrible. Just terrible.
- By Ian Dolby on 02-24-25
By: J. E. Fowlers
-
It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism
- By: Senator Bernie Sanders, John Nichols
- Narrated by: Senator Bernie Sanders
- Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s OK to be angry about capitalism. Reflecting on our turbulent times, Senator Bernie Sanders takes on the billionaire class and speaks blunt truths about our country’s failure to address the destructive nature of a system that is fueled by uncontrolled greed and rigidly committed to prioritizing corporate profits over the needs of ordinary Americans.
-
-
A true and unbiased understanding of politics today
- By Sassy monster on 02-21-23
By: Senator Bernie Sanders, and others
-
Disciples of White Jesus
- The Radicalization of American Boyhood
- By: Angela Denker
- Narrated by: Laura Miri Welsh
- Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
White boys and men are dangerous. White boys and men are struggling. Both of these statements are staggeringly true in America today. By far, most large-scale mass shooters are white men. White men also die by suicide more often than any other demographic. In this sensitive, searing, and unsparing look at American boyhood, journalist, mother, and pastor Angela Denker investigates the sometimes-tragic stories of boyhood across the United States.
By: Angela Denker
-
Meltdown
- Greed, Scandal, and the Collapse of Credit Suisse
- By: Duncan Mavin
- Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Credit Suisse was a 166-year-old bastion of global banking. But a veneer of high-class service disguised a darker, much dirtier reality. From its sterile Zurich headquarters, Credit Suisse banked dictators and drug dealers, hid stolen Nazi gold, and helped corrupt bankers fleece the firm's own clients of billions of dollars. Its top executives oversaw a global operation that laundered money for autocrats; they hired spies to track one another through the cobbled streets of the Swiss financial capital; and they helped clients hide their money from the world's tax authorities.
By: Duncan Mavin
Critic reviews
“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
“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
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
Shameless
- Republicans’ Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy
- By: Brian Tyler Cohen
- Narrated by: Brian Tyler Cohen
- Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Shameless, Brian Tyler Cohen lays bare the long con of the modern Republican Party. While the radical right continues hiding behind gaslighting maneuvers, artificial slogans, and hollow catchphrases, Cohen’s unflinching narrative illuminates the realities and dangers of the ever-widening gulf between the vaunted Republican brand and their actual behavior.
-
-
Great read and informative!
- By LizzyD629 on 08-29-24
-
Trust
- America's Best Chance
- By: Pete Buttigieg
- Narrated by: Pete Buttigieg
- Length: 4 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Recognizing that we are now experiencing disastrous consequences, the former South Bend mayor offers a direct reckoning with the corruption of social responsibility, interweaving history, political philosophy, and affecting passages of memoir, offering a new outlook for how we can confront the next decade’s challenges by building accountability. In this urgent work, Buttigieg confirms his status as a visionary political thinker.
-
-
Incredible!
- By Kathy Barton on 10-06-20
By: Pete Buttigieg
-
Hoax
- Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth
- By: Brian Stelter
- Narrated by: Brian Stelter
- Length: 15 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the nation recovers from the Trump presidency, many questions remain: Why was the COVID-19 pandemic so grossly mishandled? How did we get so politically polarized? What caused White nationalist groups to come out of the shadows, and are they here to stay? The answers lie the twisted story of the relationship between Donald Trump and Fox News. Through firsthand accounts from over 250 current and former Fox insiders, CNN anchor and chief media correspondent Brian Stelter unlocks the inner workings of Rupert Murdoch’s multibillion-dollar media empire.
-
-
Just as I expeccted
- By Wayne on 09-18-20
By: Brian Stelter
-
A Return to Common Sense
- How to Fix America Before We Really Blow It
- By: Leigh McGowan
- Narrated by: Leigh McGowan
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Something’s gone wrong in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. We can all feel it, but if we’re being honest, most of us don’t understand it. At the end of the day, we don’t have all the facts, and if you don’t know how something works, how do you fix it? A Return to Common Sense is a concise, no-nonsense, dare we say fun, guide to how America works and a roadmap to reclaiming a government of, by, and for the people.
-
-
Should Be Required Reading
- By Marie Weakland on 09-20-24
By: Leigh McGowan
-
Democracy Awakening
- Notes on the State of America
- By: Heather Cox Richardson
- Narrated by: Heather Cox Richardson
- Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At a time when the very foundations of American democracy seem under threat, the lessons of the past offer a road map for navigating a moment of political crisis. In Democracy Awakening, acclaimed historian Heather Cox Richardson delves into the tumultuous journey of American democracy, tracing the roots of Donald Trump’s “authoritarian experiment” to the earliest days of the republic.
-
-
We’d be in a much better position if everyone read this
- By Jeffrey Schwartz on 10-01-23
-
Bad Law
- Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America
- By: Elie Mystal
- Narrated by: Elie Mystal
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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
-
-
my fav
- By Anonymous User on 04-02-25
By: Elie Mystal
-
Shameless
- Republicans’ Deliberate Dysfunction and the Battle to Preserve Democracy
- By: Brian Tyler Cohen
- Narrated by: Brian Tyler Cohen
- Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Shameless, Brian Tyler Cohen lays bare the long con of the modern Republican Party. While the radical right continues hiding behind gaslighting maneuvers, artificial slogans, and hollow catchphrases, Cohen’s unflinching narrative illuminates the realities and dangers of the ever-widening gulf between the vaunted Republican brand and their actual behavior.
-
-
Great read and informative!
- By LizzyD629 on 08-29-24
-
Trust
- America's Best Chance
- By: Pete Buttigieg
- Narrated by: Pete Buttigieg
- Length: 4 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Recognizing that we are now experiencing disastrous consequences, the former South Bend mayor offers a direct reckoning with the corruption of social responsibility, interweaving history, political philosophy, and affecting passages of memoir, offering a new outlook for how we can confront the next decade’s challenges by building accountability. In this urgent work, Buttigieg confirms his status as a visionary political thinker.
-
-
Incredible!
- By Kathy Barton on 10-06-20
By: Pete Buttigieg
-
Hoax
- Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth
- By: Brian Stelter
- Narrated by: Brian Stelter
- Length: 15 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the nation recovers from the Trump presidency, many questions remain: Why was the COVID-19 pandemic so grossly mishandled? How did we get so politically polarized? What caused White nationalist groups to come out of the shadows, and are they here to stay? The answers lie the twisted story of the relationship between Donald Trump and Fox News. Through firsthand accounts from over 250 current and former Fox insiders, CNN anchor and chief media correspondent Brian Stelter unlocks the inner workings of Rupert Murdoch’s multibillion-dollar media empire.
-
-
Just as I expeccted
- By Wayne on 09-18-20
By: Brian Stelter
-
A Return to Common Sense
- How to Fix America Before We Really Blow It
- By: Leigh McGowan
- Narrated by: Leigh McGowan
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Something’s gone wrong in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. We can all feel it, but if we’re being honest, most of us don’t understand it. At the end of the day, we don’t have all the facts, and if you don’t know how something works, how do you fix it? A Return to Common Sense is a concise, no-nonsense, dare we say fun, guide to how America works and a roadmap to reclaiming a government of, by, and for the people.
-
-
Should Be Required Reading
- By Marie Weakland on 09-20-24
By: Leigh McGowan
-
Democracy Awakening
- Notes on the State of America
- By: Heather Cox Richardson
- Narrated by: Heather Cox Richardson
- Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At a time when the very foundations of American democracy seem under threat, the lessons of the past offer a road map for navigating a moment of political crisis. In Democracy Awakening, acclaimed historian Heather Cox Richardson delves into the tumultuous journey of American democracy, tracing the roots of Donald Trump’s “authoritarian experiment” to the earliest days of the republic.
-
-
We’d be in a much better position if everyone read this
- By Jeffrey Schwartz on 10-01-23
-
Bad Law
- Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America
- By: Elie Mystal
- Narrated by: Elie Mystal
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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
-
-
my fav
- By Anonymous User on 04-02-25
By: Elie Mystal
-
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
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Entertaining. If only it was fiction.
- By Beverly on 04-16-25
By: Annie Karni, and others
-
How Fascism Works
- The Politics of Us and Them
- By: Jason Stanley
- Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
- Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the child of refugees of World War II Europe and a renowned philosopher and scholar of propaganda, Jason Stanley has a deep understanding of how democratic societies can be vulnerable to fascism: Nations don’t have to be fascist to suffer from fascist politics. In fact, fascism’s roots have been present in the United States for more than a century.
-
-
A Warning Too Clear to Ignore
- By Chip Auger on 10-30-18
By: Jason Stanley
-
Cults Like Us
- Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America
- By: Jane Borden
- Narrated by: Jane Borden
- Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since the Mayflower sidled up to Plymouth Rock, cult ideology has been ingrained in the DNA of the United States. In this eye-opening book, journalist Jane Borden argues that Puritan doomsday belief never went away; it went secular and became American culture. From our fascination with cowboys and superheroes to our allegiance to influencers and self-help, susceptibility to advertising, and undying devotion to the self-made man, Americans remain particularly vulnerable to a specific brand of cult-like thinking.
By: Jane Borden
-
Abundance
- By: Ezra Klein, Derek Thompson
- Narrated by: Ezra Klein, Derek Thompson
- Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Advice to the Democratic Party from Klein & Thompson
- By Betsy Fowler on 03-31-25
By: Ezra Klein, and others
-
Democracy at Risk: The Dangers of Project 2025
- By: J. E. Fowlers
- Narrated by: Andrew Baldwin
- Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a time of major political shifts and challenges, Democracy at Risk: The Dangers of Project 2025 takes a hard-hitting look at the controversial proposals of Project 2025 and their potential to reshape American society. This timely and essential book offers a detailed analysis of the project’s goals and the far-reaching implications for democracy, civil rights, and social equity.
-
-
very informative I learned a lot about what 2025 is all about and also what I need to do to fight against it.
- By Rosemarie Carriker on 08-02-24
By: J. E. Fowlers
-
Hate Won't Win
- Find Your Power and Leave This Place Better than You Found It
- By: Mallory McMorrow
- Narrated by: Mallory McMorrow
- Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mallory McMorrow was on the verge of giving up. She knew the work of legislating wouldn’t be easy, but she hadn’t been expecting an insidious culture of sexual harassment, armed protestors storming the state Capitol, or colleagues who had zero interest in reaching across the aisle to get anything meaningful done—and things really needed to get done. Where could one even start? But then fate forced her hand.
-
-
Great inspiring book! Love the Workshop!
- By Robert A. Laubach on 04-16-25
By: Mallory McMorrow
-
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
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Much better than expected
- By Tracy B on 09-23-23
By: Cenk Uygur
-
Revenge
- The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power
- By: Alex Isenstadt
- Narrated by: Alan Peterson
- Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
contains lies already proven false!
- By Marvin on 03-25-25
By: Alex Isenstadt
-
1999
- The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times
- By: Ross Benes
- Narrated by: Josh Innerst
- Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From pro wrestling and Pokémon to Vince McMahon and Jerry Springer, this look at the low culture of the late '90s reveals its profound impact and how it continues to affect our culture and society today.
By: Ross Benes
-
Network of Lies
- The Epic Saga of Fox News, Donald Trump, and the Battle for America
- By: Brian Stelter
- Narrated by: Brian Stelter
- Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Network of Lies, New York Times bestselling author Brian Stelter answers these questions by weaving together private texts, unpublished emails, depositions, and other primary sources to tell the chilling story of Trump’s alleged conspiracy to steal the 2020 election, and the right-wing media’s mission to put him back in office in 2024.
-
-
Eye opener .
- By catherine weaver on 11-21-23
By: Brian Stelter
-
How Civil Wars Start
- And How to Stop Them
- By: Barbara F. Walter
- Narrated by: Beth Hicks
- Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Political violence rips apart several towns in southwest Texas. A far-right militia plots to kidnap the governor of Michigan and try her for treason. An armed mob of Trump supporters and conspiracy theorists storms the U.S. Capitol. Are these isolated incidents? Or is this the start of something bigger? Barbara F. Walter has spent her career studying civil conflict in places like Iraq, Ukraine, and Sri Lanka, but now she has become increasingly worried about her own country.
-
-
Reveals the limits of a Political Science approach
- By Bill on 01-17-22
-
200 Dangerous Truths About Project 2025
- Exposing the Real Threat to America’s Freedom and Democracy
- By: J. E. Fowlers
- Narrated by: Sharman Beth
- Length: 1 hr and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From J.E. Fowlers, best-selling author of Democracy at Risk, comes a groundbreaking exposé that uncovers the chilling truths behind Project 2025, a carefully orchestrated conservative blueprint threatening to reshape America’s democracy. 200 Dangerous Truths About Project 2025 tears apart the mystery, revealing 200 alarming facts straight from the Heritage Foundation’s Mandate for Leadership, organized into 20 powerful chapters.
-
-
Terrible. Just terrible.
- By Ian Dolby on 02-24-25
By: J. E. Fowlers
What listeners say about The Echo Machine
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bradley Smith
- 04-01-25
An smartly written take on the future of the US
A very smart book written by a smart guy without over the top predictions and fear-mongering. It has a lot of good ideas about the future of our country and what it can be if we manage to dig out of the hole we're in.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Derek Barclay
- 03-29-25
Speaking Truth to Delusion
Such an excellent read. Pakman continues to speak truth to delusion. Facts exist, and they matter.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jana
- 03-30-25
very informative
pertinent information of our day, including historical facts that led to today's political environment. worth the time.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Spencer Miller
- 04-06-25
Excellent read
David Pakman’s The Echo Chamber is a sharp, insightful look into how media, technology, and political discourse have collided to create a landscape dominated by misinformation, polarization, and algorithm-driven echo chambers. With clarity and balance, Pakman unpacks complex issues like media bias and digital manipulation without resorting to sensationalism or partisan finger-pointing. His perspective is refreshingly nuanced, offering readers both a sobering view of the challenges we face and a hopeful call for media literacy and critical thinking. Thoughtful, timely, and engaging, The Echo Chamber is an essential read for anyone trying to make sense of today’s fractured information ecosystem.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Wilhelms23
- 04-10-25
engaging
The truth is hard to hear, yet the truths from this book was made easy.David pakman as the narrator to his book is perfect. As a fan of the David Pakman show I was glad to hear he had a book coming out. I didn't know where the book was going and as someone that's not much into reading in my spare time I can't complain. I learned alot and am happy I supported him.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 04-09-25
With tears in my eyes...
As a BIG STRONG MAN I found this book a great overview of American POLITICS as it is now and the events that contributed to the CURRENT distopian hellscape. MANY people are saying it's the BEST book of the year or maybe ever.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tyler Koepkey
- 04-17-25
A fantastic first entry into nonfiction!
This was certainly a realistic eye opening view of how our society broadly reacts to basis political activities. David is an excellent communicator. I've been a podcast listener for 3 years now and I love how he can intelligently articulate nuanced viewpoints that the echo chamber can misconstrue.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- fury
- 04-15-25
Timely
Offering solutions and perspective to meet these very challenging times, The Echo Chamber is a book we all can draw positive ideas from and build upon our own ideals.
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jon Mathews
- 04-13-25
Great Listen, Short Though - Maybe not for me?
I am a big fan of David Pakman, he is one of the first voices i started hearing in this online progressive/left media space. He has really great speaking skills + annunciation, so on that front the book is amazing on the ears. In terms of content, I guess maybe was expecting something longer, but as I wrote in the title maybe this book just isn't for me a daily viewer, I think it could be most helpful to someone who is still new to the space or average person who wants to be more well read on the toxic mess that is the echo machine of right wing Grift culture.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Brandon Smith
- 03-27-25
substance
Great book by Pakman. He is able to both methodically lay out the current political climate while also explaining how we got here in the first place. The book is well paced and extremely insightful. A great read for anyone interested in politics, regardless of your position.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful