For the reasons completely not related with the book, it was just not for me. I thought that the topic and presentation would convince me out of my comfort zone, but not quite this time.

ALL THE WORST HUMANS feels like a tongue in cheek title, but I'm not sure it's an exaggeration.

This one's written in a very engaging style. It's fun if you can look past the serious, real implications of some of the terrible things PR guru Phil Elwood and his team spun, covered up, and orchestrated.

A quick read, my biggest critique is that I'd have liked more detail. Often things felt glossed over or mentioned in passing - give me the play by play. I also didn't care for how he described a hacker as "obese" multiple times (why does his weight matter?).

I liked the narration, though note that the narrator is Holter Graham, not the author. Also please be advised that suicidal ideation is described, including a plan that was thwarted by chance by a friend. Elwood was diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and PTSD and details his treatment (therapy, ketamine).

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

Phil Elwood’s “All the Worst Humans” is a riveting memoir that pulls back the curtain on the shadowy world of PR. Narrated by the talented Holter Graham, this audiobook exposes the gritty secrets of a $129-billion industry that shapes what we see and hear in the media.

🔍 Elwood unveils how the PR business operates, from spin to manipulation.

His career includes working for controversial figures like Gaddafi, Assad, and the government of Qatar.

Elwood’s witty and entertaining voice takes us through Las Vegas bacchanals, political chaos, and slippery tactics used to seduce journalists

This piercing look into money, power, and control reveals the industry’s dark underbelly.

Elwood’s risky game nearly cost him everything, leading to a shocking encounter with the FBI.

🎧 Prepare for a rollercoaster ride through corridors of influence, where truth and deception collide. 🎙️🌠📖

A summary of a guy who must have a punchable face. Not Sure how he can live with himself with all the people he I directly murdered.

I listened to the audiobook All The Worst Humans by Phil Elwood narrated by Holden Graham. I really had not heard of Phil Elwood before and thought it sounded like an interesting read when I requested the book. It did not disappoint, it was definitely interesting.
The book is about Elwoods rise as a publicist and spin doctor for some of the worst people on the planet. While reading this book I liked the author's candor and honesty of what his jobs have been and what he has done, but then at times I was also horrified by what he did and was willing to do. I think the worst part was the fact he is not the ony one, just one of many and maybe the only one wiling to share the truth of what he has done. He didn’t care what side he was on as long as they were paying him. I think other people would find this book enlightening because it is well written and tells a great story and although throughout it sounds more like he’s boasting at times rather than being ashamed of some of what he has done. I do think he regrets it some, and it is why he is telling the story. The book really shows how the world works, I mean when a college dropout can become an intern for a major senator when hard-working students probably applied for the same job that his friend just gave him it really says nothing good about America. The book is interesting, and I do recommend it for many reasons, one that it is eye-opening and timely to all the duplicitness that is taking place in our country and politics. While I enjoyed the narration and audiobook, this is a book I would purchase as a physical book for our library.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC to review..

All the Worst Humans is a great and terrifying look at the behind the scenes machinations that feed the press and cultural narratives of what stories get told and how. Elwood details his career of extensive PR spinning for a wide variety of clients; with an understandable mix of confession and self-defense. The numerous examples of how and where to plant stories is enlightening and likely will only get more extreme as new outlets are stretched thinner and thinner and also become more pandering to their audiences.
Through vivid examples, Elwood shares the network connections, strategies, and storytelling that have greatly affected public perception on key leaders, companies, and events. A very important book to understand why not to take even well-respected new outlets' stories at face value.

It’s one thing to know that there are people, good and bad, behind the scenes of major deals and media stories. It’s an entirely other to have it laid out so plainly. In short, Phil Elwood is a puppet master who isn’t afraid to name names. I appreciated how he detailed the various assignments he’s had as a PR fixer while also being open about his struggles with BiPolar Type 2 and Drug-Resistant Depression. A fast listen with a great narrator, this is the type of memoir that will keep you up at night & make you question ever news article you read all in the same breathe.

Thank you Macmillan for the gifted ALC.

This book reminds me of a cross between the book Red Notice and the movie Thank You for Smoking. These stories are crazy! I learned so much about public relations, especially around political situations.

Some of the reviews comment on how they don’t feel sorry for him. In no way do I think he wants you to read this book feel sorry for him. The author excels at switching a story, that is his life. This is a series of parts in his life and what he has learned from it.

Trade compliance nerds, it talks about ITAR at the 95% mark.

Highly recommend. Enjoyable behind the scenes of public relations for the bad guys. Perfect length that actually left me wanting more.

Interesting to hear about the workings of some PR firms and how they spin stories. In retrospect, it is scary that we, the people, are so easily manipulated and deceived. Learned a lot, perhaps more than I needed to know.

This was a really interesting read!! The writing comes off a bit stiff at times, with shorter choppy sentences but once I got used to it I didn’t notice it as much. I was surprised that given he’s a PR person he didn’t dress up the narrative to make himself a bit more likable, but I appreciate that it came across as an honest portrayal. There are things I was sympathetic to in his life, but I never warmed to him as a person. He did show remorse toward the end of the book for some things he had done, but he also is still working behind the scenes to do what he does so I’m not sure I believe that he really has changed for the better.

It was a fascinating look at what goes on behind the scenes of a PR crisis and international incidents. And it definitely confirmed my thoughts that there are no honest people working in the US government. There is a look at PTSD and Mental Illness as he discusses his bipolar diagnosis and clinical depression treatment. I started the physical book, but got a copy of the audio through @netgalley and split time between formats. I think the narrator did a great job, and would recommend either format!

Thanks Henry Holt Books, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted copies!