Darrell Ezell serves as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture and Foreign Affairs at Claremont Lincoln University, USA. Dr. Ezell holds a Ph.D. from The University of Birmingham, UK, has held academic posts at Tulane and Louisiana State Universities, USA, and worked at the US Department of State and William J. Clinton Foundation. He writes widely on issues related to public diplomacy, religion in contemporary international relations, and pop culture. Several of his writings have appeared in the Huffington Post, Fair Observer, EA Worldview, CPD Perspective on Public Diplomacy, and the Journal of American Studies.

• PART I: DEMYSTIFYING THE COMMUNICATION GAME Engaging the Muslim World Calculating the Cost of Manufactured Fear The New Public Diplomacy Argument PART II: CRUSADING US NATIONAL SECURITY Distorting the Process Marketing the American Brand Shifting the Tide PART III: Reshaping the Communicative Context Considering a Corps of Specialists Toward a Post-secular Communicative Framework

"I thoroughly support the concept of this fascinating book, and unfortunately, have to agree that U.S. relations with the Muslim world need to be dramatically improved. One thing the book does not do, however, is to explore the role of non-governmental organizations and people in bringing about greater understanding of the Muslim faith and the power of inter-religious knowledge and information about other religions." - US ambassador John W. McDonald, ret. chairman and ceo, Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy "At a time when the American relationship with Islamic peoples is of vital concern to the future of many countries, including the US, and amid great political and social change, Ezell's study of public diplomacy is essential. This book tries to put away the folly of the military-first approach, but it also sees that a mere declaration of engagement will not address the challenges of communication and interaction." - Scott Lucas, professor of American Studies, University of Birmingham