First published 1970
Erving Goffman turns his analytical lens toward the shadowy worlds of espionage and international diplomacy. He examines how people communicate when deception becomes essential to their mission. Spies must conceal their identities while gathering intelligence. Diplomats negotiate treaties while hiding their nations' bottom lines. Politicians craft public messages that obscure private agendas. Goffman describes these strategic interactions without judgment, drawing examples from diverse sources to illustrate his points. He uses analogies to make complex social dynamics clear and accessible. The book reveals how people navigate situations where showing their hand means losing the game. Goffman demonstrates that strategic communication shapes outcomes in high stakes environments where trust remains scarce and information becomes currency.
Genres: political-science, sociology, non-fiction, espionage, communication, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: unreliable-narrator
145 pages · Paperback · Basil Blackwell