Our attitudes to lying are confused and contradictory - you might even say, self-deceiving. On the one hand we hate lies, and liars. On the other, we all indulge in fibs, tall tales and fantasies. If lying is wrong, why do we all do it - both to others, and to ourselves? In Born Liars, Ian Leslie argues that, far from being a bug in the human software, lying is central to who we are; that we cannot understand ourselves without first understanding the dynamics of deceit. Using a vivid, panoramic style, he explores the role of deception and self-deception in our childhoods, our careers, and our health, and the part played by lies - both black and white - in art, advertising, sport, politics and war. Drawing on thinkers as varied as Augustine, Charles Darwin, Sigmund Freud, Ian McEwan and Marlon Brando, he takes the reader on an exhilarating tour of ideas that brings the latest news about deception back from the frontiers of evolutionary psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy. Born Liars is crammed with colourful stories; we'll meet Benjamin Franklin in Paris as he takes on Franz Mesmer, the man who claimed to heal his patients by touching them with iron rods. We'll hear about a spy who beat a lie detector, a man accused of cheating his way to a million pounds on a TV game show, and we'll peer inside the minds of Bill Clinton and Saddam Hussein. Born Liars takes us on a fascinating journey which makes us question not only our own relationship to the truth, but also virtually every daily encounter we have.
Born Liars: Why We Can't Live Without Deceit
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Review
'A dazzling exploration of this universal trait, from an exciting new talent. Read Born Liars, and you'll be stimulated, surprised, and thoroughly entertained. Believe me' Richard Wiseman.
'Born Liars is a genuine achievement: a lively, engaging read that also makes a bold argument about the role of lying in our lives' Steven Johnson.
'An absolutely fascinating tour of this most uniquely human of talents: the ability to lie' Jonah Lehrer.
'Born Liars reads like the very best of detective stories - an illuminating, surprising and highly entertaining investigation of our daily lies' Kate Fox.
'...consistently startling and fascinating book ... It's erudite yet wears its learning lightly and is full of terrific stories. It will also make you see yourself, and the world around you, in a new light' Daily Mail.
'His range of references is fascinating ... I loved the irony and ingenuity of this book' The Times.
'Born Liars is a genuine achievement: a lively, engaging read that also makes a bold argument about the role of lying in our lives' Steven Johnson.
'An absolutely fascinating tour of this most uniquely human of talents: the ability to lie' Jonah Lehrer.
'Born Liars reads like the very best of detective stories - an illuminating, surprising and highly entertaining investigation of our daily lies' Kate Fox.
'...consistently startling and fascinating book ... It's erudite yet wears its learning lightly and is full of terrific stories. It will also make you see yourself, and the world around you, in a new light' Daily Mail.
'His range of references is fascinating ... I loved the irony and ingenuity of this book' The Times.
From the Back Cover
In Born Liars, Ian Leslie takes the reader on an exhilarating tour of ideas that brings the latest news about deception back from the frontiers of psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy, and explores the role played by lies - both black and white - in our childhoods, our careers, and our health, as well as in advertising, politics, sport and war. Drawing on thinkers as varied as Augustine, Charles Darwin, Sigmund Freud and Joni Mitchell, the author argues that, far from being a bug in the human software, lying is central to who we are; that we cannot understand ourselves without first understanding the dynamics of deceit. Born Liars is crammed with gripping stories. We join a young doctor on the beach at Anzio in 1944 as he discovers that the best way to help his wounded patients is to lie to them, to peer inside the mind of Saddam Hussein, hear about a spy who beat a lie detector, and meet a man found guilty of cheating his way to a million pounds on national TV.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By Mickey
Format:Paperback
We all lie but rarely stop to think why we do it, or how often we're lied to back. BORN LIARS made me analyse my own behaviour, listen to my children more intently, watch politicians more closely, dissect adverts and basically look at the world in a refreshed way. Ian Leslie takes you on an effortlessly engaging tour of the world of deceit and self-deception and I loved this fascinating book.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By uncle barbar
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Carefully compiled to include all the latest research, this book gives a fascinating insight into the subject matter. I was interested to read contemporary as well as historical evidence to illustrate the points. It debunks many commonplace myths about how people lie and whether it is always reprehensible. The part I found most interesting was the section on when and how children lie. It appears they learn to do this as a natural developmental stage which is fairly constant across the globe. A highly readable, fascinating work suitable for lay people and anthropologists alike. Highly recommended.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By L. Farrell
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Thoroughly enjoyed this well written, engaging romp through the latest research into the psychology and development of human deception and self deception which provides a wonderful positive evaluation of this intrinsic behaviour. Illustrated with some great accounts of historical examples of fraud and self deception from lie detectors, mesmer and medical placebo's. Fascinating and easy to read!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Porkies
This book completely changed my mind about lies and deceit. Previously held perceptions were turned on their heads by Ian Leslie's revealing insight into the human mind and why we... Read more
Published 7 hours ago by D. Whitehead
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very insightful
About 60% through this well written narrative. I have learned to look at life a little differently with regard to human communication.
Published 11 hours ago by C. K. Letts
5.0 out of 5 stars
born liars
This is a very thought provoking book and puts a whole new aspect on human evolution and clarifys a lot about us. Very recomendable
Published 1 day ago by janet
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating read
Fascinating insight into the necessity of deception and self-deception in life...particularly looks at its role in politics, the current push for 'honest politicians', war,... Read more
Published 8 days ago by C J
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting insight
Wasn't sure what to expect but really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested n emotional intelligence and an night into those truly confident people.
Published 8 days ago by Wharton10
5.0 out of 5 stars
present for a friend
This was a birthday present, and very well received . . . . . . . . . . .
Published 23 days ago by kml
5.0 out of 5 stars
GOOD QUAL. ITEM - WELL PACKED - ARRIVED IN PERFECTLY GOOD TIME - WILL...
Fascinating, well written, illuminating, good research results emphasise points. Anyone interested in how the mind works and the tricks it plays should enjoy this
Published 4 months ago by K. J. STEVENSON
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling read
This book discusses the issue of lying and deceit in a range of contexts and societal levels, from the individual to nations. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Penguinlady
5.0 out of 5 stars
very good
very insightful and good book - managed to understand some people much better and got them talking more towards truth
Published 16 months ago by Lena343
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly engaging
A thoroughly good examination of the nature of lying and self deception. The most fascinating case studies come from the world of psychology, but the author also draws from social... Read more
Published 17 months ago by nupsta
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