Amazon – https://www.amazon.in/Deception-WAR-PEACE-Mike-Rana/dp/9374249537/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27P127B8YJ9HD&dib=

Flipkart – https://www.flipkart.com/deception-war-peace/p/itme20d4af7b3291?pid=9789374249536&lid=

Books Camel – https://bookscamel.in/app/views/shop-details.php?id=1200

Google Play – https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=nt7JEQAAQBAJ

Google Books – https://books.google.co.in/books?id=nt7JEQAAQBAJ&newbks=0&hl=en&source=newbks_fb&redir_esc=y

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122279910128073759&set=pb.61552212787902.-2207520000

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/p/DWgOjD3gSpr/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

A thought

1. Clearing the fog and illusion of information

The simpler the truth, the harder its interpretation is—Mike Rana

Considering the rapid influx of information at the moment, it can be difficult to find the right level of intensity for this book. We want it to be accessible to our everyday readers, yet comprehensive enough to satisfy those with a deeper interest in the subject.

Books that pull back the curtain on how information is manipulated can be eye-opening. Imagine how much of what we consume is curated rather than purely objective.

Social media posts are driven by algorithms designed to maximise engagement. They prioritise emotional triggers and personal biases, and create echo chambers. Traditional news, on the other hand, is influenced by editorial priorities, which may involve political bias, corporate interests, or a desire for sensationalism to attract attention.

There is a structural deception in the speed of the modern internet. A half-truth can travel around the world on social media before a journalist has even finished fact-checking the first paragraph. The most effective way to win in this environment is to create an invisible front for ourselves. This means shaping an environment so that you arrive at a conclusion yourself, not from an opponent (or an algorithm/entity) that wants you to believe it is your own idea.

The corporate ladder and media landscape are minefields where tricks matter more than steel. In the information age, narratives hold greater power than physical force. The biggest danger in a world overwhelmed with information is the illusion of safety—the belief that what we see on our screens is trustworthy. The data you see is warped by the specifications of those delivering it—much like how one describes vendor specifications warping a client’s business requirements.

Noise can be as effective as silence. By flooding the public with conflicting reports, breaking news alerts, and endless social media posts, the truth isn’t suppressed—it just gets lost. When people are overwhelmed, they stop searching for facts and start seeking the simplest narrative, which is usually the one that feels most comfortable. Here is how those tactics translate to the differences you see between the news and your social feeds:

In military deception, you show the enemy exactly what they expect to see.

On social media, algorithms use your data to reflect your own beliefs. You see what you want to be true.

On the news: Outlets often cater to a specific demographic’s expectations to sustain ratings.

Two people can observe the same event and perceive entirely different realities because they are being presented with different versions of the same deception. A sensational story on social media might dominate the discussion for 48 hours, serving as a distraction while more important structural changes (such as policy shifts or corporate manoeuvres) occur in the background with minimal coverage.

When you notice a significant discrepancy between a news report and a viral post, the book recommends looking for the incentive: Who benefits from you believing one over the other?