★★★★★ 4
A Must-Read for the Internet Age (Even If It’s a Little Terrifying)
Format: Kindle
If you’ve ever found yourself doomscrolling through Twitter (sorry, X—ugh), arguing with a stranger in the comments section, or wondering why that ridiculous meme is suddenly everywhere, LikeWar is the book that explains why. And let me tell you, it does so in a way that’s as entertaining as it is unnerving.
P.W. Singer and Emerson T. Brooking take a deep dive into the battlefield of social media, where wars aren’t just fought with bullets but with hashtags, viral videos, and AI bots pretending to be real people (or worse, real people pretending to be bots). They connect dots between everything from military psy-ops to online disinformation campaigns, showing how social media has become the new frontline of modern warfare.
The book is packed with fascinating stories—from ISIS using social media to recruit followers like an influencer pushing protein powder, to political campaigns that make you question reality itself. And while the subject matter is serious, the authors keep things engaging with sharp writing, eye-opening insights, and just enough humor to keep you from spiraling into existential dread.
So why four stars instead of five? Well, while LikeWar is undeniably eye-opening, it occasionally gets a little too caught up in explaining things at length. Some sections feel a bit stretched, like that one friend who insists on telling a story with every single detail included. A tighter edit in some places might have made it even stronger.
That said, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how the internet shapes the real world—whether you’re a journalist, a policymaker, or just someone trying to figure out why your uncle keeps sharing weird conspiracy theories on Facebook. It’s insightful, timely, and slightly terrifying, but in the best way possible.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2025
