A Sharp, Witty Exploration of Lies and Deception Throughout Human History
This is a book about TRUTH--and all the ways we try to avoid it--from the bestselling author of Humans: A Brief History of How We F*cked It All Up.
We live in a "post-truth" world, we're told. But was there ever really a golden age of truth-telling? Or have people been lying, fibbing and just plain bullsh*tting since the beginning of time?
Tom Phillips, editor of a leading independent fact-checking organization, deals with this question every day. In Truth, he tells the story of how we humans have spent history lying to each other--and ourselves--about everything from business to politics to plain old geography. Along the way, he chronicles the world's oldest customer service complaint, the Great Moon Hoax of 1835 and the surprisingly dishonest career of Benjamin Franklin.
What Makes This Book Essential Reading
This paperback edition combines rigorous fact-checking expertise with accessible humor to examine why humans have always been prone to deception. Phillips draws on his experience as editorial director at BuzzFeed UK and his current role at Full Fact to dissect historical lies, modern misinformation, and the psychology behind why we believe--and tell--falsehoods.
The book covers fascinating historical examples of deception, from ancient scams to 19th-century newspaper hoaxes, revealing patterns of dishonesty that persist today. Each chapter examines different aspects of lying: political propaganda, business fraud, geographical myths, and personal deception.
Why Readers Trust Tom Phillips
As the editor of Full Fact, the UK's independent fact-checking organization, Phillips brings professional credibility to this exploration of truthfulness and falsehood. His previous book, Humans: A Brief History of How We F*cked It All Up, sold in 30 territories worldwide, establishing him as an author who can make complex historical topics both entertaining and enlightening.
Sharp, witty and with a clear-eyed view of humanity's checkered past, Truth reveals why people lie--and how we can cut through the bullsh*t.
