The double entendre title says it well. As does the subheading.

Questions needing answers

As its title suggests, this is a book about fear. Fear of a virus. Fear of death. Fear of losing our jobs, our democracy, our human connections, our health and our minds. It’s also a book about how the government weaponised our fear against us – supposedly in our best interests – until we became, in the author’s words, “the most frightened country in Europe”.

But why did the government deliberately frighten us, and how has this affected us as individuals and as a country? Who is involved in the decision-making that so deeply affects our lives? How are behavioural science and nudge theory being used to subliminally manipulate us? How does the media leverage fear? What are the real risks to our wellbeing?

The author is a forensic journalist, who seeks to answer the above questions as ably as possible, mounting up the evidence in well written prose, with striking detail and brilliant argument.

The author mounts up the evidence in well written prose, with striking detail and brilliant arguments.

To be honest, I was leaning towards the point of view she presents before I ever read the book – but I am even more convinced now. Sadly, I realise that those who most need to examine the arguments the author so cogently puts forward will probably not be doing so.

Solid research; convincing conclusions

My best way to do justice to ‘A State of Fear’ is to quote some of the best bits. The central principle of the whole book’s analysis comes from the following opening statement by the subgroup under SAGE who were tasked with dealing with behaviour:

“The perceived level of personal threat needs to be increased among those who are complacent, using hard-hitting emotional messaging…”

Then Dodsworth uses four means to present her arguments: a) solid research; b) powerful testimonies; c) convincing conclusions and d) effective opinions.

Both ordinary members of the public and professionals in various capacities (psychologists, politicians, scientists, lawyers, Whitehall advisers, journalists) are allowed space to air their voices in these pages.

Both ordinary members of the public and professionals in various capacities (psychologists, politicians, scientists, lawyers, Whitehall advisers, journalists) are allowed space to air their voices in these pages. Sam, aged 30, and a paramedic, expressed his deep-gut opinion that: “These measures are not normal; its not right for human beings to live like this”.

Patrick Fagan, a psychologist at Cambridge Analytica, came to the conclusion that: “Fear has been overplayed …it is the steam in the engine that drives behaviour”.

Shocking statistics

The author seeks to back the claims she makes with reliable references. Many statistics are packed into one impressive chapter, including the following:

• An estimated 540,000 deaths will result from the first two lockdowns.
• 1.5 million children and 8.5 million adults will need help with mental issues resulting from the lockdowns.
• By as early as October 2020, there were 27 million missed GP appointments.

However, a charge regularly made of the book is that it is not rigorous or scientific enough, that the author regularly jumps to conclusions, and that there is a lack of critical analysis. These charges must be taken seriously by everyone who picks up the book.

A way forward

Does the author present a way of active response? Yes, absolutely!

• First, the public should understand how psychological methods have been used on them.
• Second, there should a wholesale public enquiry with real clout to expose and refute such underhand methods.
• Third, this evidence must be debated freely, and a consensus reached that such tactics never be used again.

There should a wholesale public enquiry with real clout to expose and refute such underhand methods.

Appendix 3 of the book offers personal guidance that I considered so helpful I have already preached these points to a congregation. Among these are the need to:

• uncover the lies and methods of propaganda;
• avoid their messaging by unplugging the sources of biased news;
• give your brain time to discern and analyse and think clearly.

Fear not

It’s become an oft-repeated truism that the Word of God instructs us 365 times not to fear. This book exposes fears used against us; explains its origins and tactics; refutes its claims and establishes the way to overcome it.

I highly recommend ‘A State of Fear’. On the whole, it is convincing, blistering stuff. One person is quoted on page 281 as saying; “books make you smarter”. This one will for sure!

‘A State of Fear’ is published by Pinter and Martin and is available from Blackwells for £8.99 (inc p&p).