This chapter sets out definitions of propaganda, some of which are returned to in various ways throughout subsequent chapters of the book. It then further explores the persistence of propaganda and ways that certain propaganda messages can act as touchpaper, spreading through large sections or subsections of a population like wildfire capturing hearts and minds. It also tells the story of what brought the authors to think about propaganda studies in criminology and what they see as the contribution of this topic to critical criminological thinking. Finally, the chapter concludes by outlining the contributions of subsequent chapters in the volume, drawing out what this collection offers to researchers, theoreticians, teachers and students in criminology and allied disciplines.