Psychological Warfare by: Paul Linebarger

Psychological Warfare is a foundational manual on propaganda, influence operations, and psychological manipulation in warfare, written by Paul M.A. Linebarger, a U.S. military intelligence officer and expert in psychological operations (PSYOP). Originally published in 1948 and later revised in 1954, this book provides an in-depth analysis of how governments, military forces, and intelligence agencies use psychological tactics to control narratives, shape public perception, and destabilize enemies.

Linebarger explores historical examples of psychological warfare, from ancient times to World War II and the early Cold War, detailing how propaganda was used to weaken morale, spread misinformation, and influence both enemy and civilian populations. He outlines techniques for effective psychological operations, including black, white, and gray propaganda, radio broadcasts, leaflet campaigns, and rumor control.

More than just a military manual, Psychological Warfare serves as a blueprint for understanding modern information warfare, psychological operations, and propaganda techniques that continue to be used today. Due to its real-world applications and unfiltered insights, it remains one of the most important works ever written on the subject - highly relevant to anyone studying military strategy, intelligence operations, media influence, or political warfare.

About the Author:
Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger was a military intelligence officer, political scientist, and expert in psychological warfare, best known for his work in U.S. military strategy and propaganda operations during World War II and the Cold War. He was also a renowned science fiction writer under the pen name Cordwainer Smith.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Linebarger was raised in an elite diplomatic environment, as his father was an advisor to Sun Yat-sen, the first president of the Republic of China. This upbringing gave him early exposure to global politics, intelligence work, and military strategy. Fluent in multiple languages, including Chinese and Russian, he later became a professor of Asian Studies at Johns Hopkins University and an adviser to the U.S. Department of Defense.

During World War II, Linebarger served in U.S. Army Intelligence and the Office of War Information (OWI), where he helped develop psychological operations (PSYOP), including radio broadcasts, propaganda leaflets, and strategic deception tactics. His expertise made him one of the leading architects of modern psychological warfare.

After the war, Linebarger continued to shape U.S. intelligence strategy, advising covert operations, counterinsurgency efforts, and Cold War propaganda campaigns. His book Psychological Warfare (1948, revised 1954) became the definitive guide on the subject, widely used by militaries, intelligence agencies, and political strategists.

Beyond his intelligence work, Linebarger is celebrated in science fiction circles for his unique and visionary writing, particularly his Instrumentality of Mankind series, published under the name Cordwainer Smith. His fiction often contained themes of control, perception, and hidden power structures - ideas deeply rooted in his real-world expertise in psychological warfare.