Product guide

Active Measures: The Secret History of Disinformation and Political Warfare

Secret: Active Measures by Thomas Rid examines the history of disinformation and political warfare through accounts of covert influence operations spanning a century. The listing describes a 528-page English-language edition from Profile Books, published in 2021.

At a glance

Uses historical case studies to explore covert influence, forged information and psychological warfare.
The listing describes examples involving Russian military intelligence, the KGB and the CIA.
At 528 pages, this is a substantial read rather than a brief introduction.

Price

£8.91Save 41%

Reference price: ~~£14.99~~

Price checked: 12 Nov 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The historical scope connects earlier covert campaigns with modern concerns about disinformation.
Customer feedback describes the writing as informative and well-written.

Technical specifications

9 specifications

Publication details
Publisher	Profile Books
Publication date	5 Aug. 2021
Edition	Main
Language	English
Print length	528 pages
ISBN-10	1788160754
ISBN-13	978-1788160759

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	400 g
Dimensions	12.8 x 3.4 x 19.6 cm

What to know before buying

Listing details to confirm

The description presents historical operations as a century-long context for current disinformation, so readers seeking a narrowly focused account of the 2016 election may want a different emphasis.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers interested in the history of disinformation, propaganda and political warfare.
Those looking for historical case studies involving intelligence operations and covert influence.

Less suited to

Readers seeking a short overview or a book focused exclusively on current events.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.4 / 5 · 396 ratings

5 stars60%60%
4 stars29%29%
3 stars9%9%
2 stars2%2%
1 star0%0%

Customer feedback highlights the book as informative and well-written, with positive comments on its readability and historical coverage. Reactions to the content are mixed, including a concern that some discussion falls into speculation. Its broad historical scope suits readers interested in tracing disinformation over time, while those wanting a strictly non-speculative treatment may weigh that criticism. Aggregate ratings are generally favourable but cannot resolve that difference in response.

Positive themes

Customers describe the book as informative and well-written.
Feedback also praises its readability and comprehensive historical coverage.

Mixed feedback

Reactions to the content are mixed, with a customer noting that parts fall into speculation.

Frequently asked questions

What is Active Measures about?

The listing describes a historical account of covert psychological warfare and disinformation, with examples ranging from early operations to more recent political campaigns.

How long is the book?

The listing gives a print length of 528 pages.

Is this edition in English?

Yes. The listed language is English.