Abstract

Search for an Idea

This article presents information about the book "Persuade or Perish," by Wallace Carroll. Since the beginning of World War II, many able specialist in Washington, New York and London had been racking their brains for a solution to the problem of how to break the German home front by means of ideas transmitted through the spoken and written word and Mr. Carroll was one of them. His book tells the story of his and his coworkers' efforts, of their many tactical successes and their glaring strategic failure. The tactical success of the Office of War Information (OWI), United States saved many lives and were a thousand times worth their small cost. Throughout its existence the OWI had to fight not only the enemy propaganda machines abroad but also a widespread and obstinate native ignorance of what psychological warfare is, of its principles, possibilities, limitations and requirements.