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Review
'Instead of ranting, they offer thorough research, some good, clear writing and a likeable tone of mild melancholy, as though this is really all we can hope to expect. By comparison, most of this year's grumpy-old-men books are complete and utter zebu.'Spectator
'a splenetic unpicking of scams, statistics and frauds perpetrated by politicians, publicists, supermarkets and all the other people trying to ruin our lives' Guardian
'a book at which you will laugh in disbelief (and possibly through gritted teeth). It is a compilation of the lies we are told every day by governments and businesses. The zebu in question is an ox-like creature from India that is occasionally served by restaurants as 'British steak'. From that fib, Rose and Caplin move on to political lies, statistical lies, misleading marketing, and the art of 'polishing' a CV.' Sunday Times
'An absolutely fantastic book.' BBC Scotland
***** 'Zebu here is not the animal but the word for deception. The authors take a frank look at the lies told as a matter of course by businesses, policemen, and politicians alike, and indeed by every sort of interested party with something to sell or a line to shoot.' 5 stars, Sunday Telegraph, Pick of the Paperbacks
'A hoot!... dip into it when you need a laugh' Lorraine Kelly --**
'a splenetic unpicking of scams, statistics and frauds perpetrated by politicians, publicists, supermarkets and all the other people trying to ruin our lives' Guardian
'a book at which you will laugh in disbelief (and possibly through gritted teeth). It is a compilation of the lies we are told every day by governments and businesses. The zebu in question is an ox-like creature from India that is occasionally served by restaurants as 'British steak'. From that fib, Rose and Caplin move on to political lies, statistical lies, misleading marketing, and the art of 'polishing' a CV.' Sunday Times
'An absolutely fantastic book.' BBC Scotland
***** 'Zebu here is not the animal but the word for deception. The authors take a frank look at the lies told as a matter of course by businesses, policemen, and politicians alike, and indeed by every sort of interested party with something to sell or a line to shoot.' 5 stars, Sunday Telegraph, Pick of the Paperbacks
'A hoot!... dip into it when you need a laugh' Lorraine Kelly --**
Product Description
Zebu (n). 1. A grotesque South American mammal whose tough meat is often passed off as 'British steak' in pubs and restaurants.
2. Lies, deception, bullsh!t.
We are subjected to a daily barrage of deception so pervasive that we barely notice it any more. Although the big lies still make the headlines, it's the small, everyday half-truths that really drive many of us to distraction.
'Ice cream' with no cream, 'chocolate flavour' with no chocolate, 'customer service' with no service. You have won a prize . . . Your call is important to us . . .
Lies, lies and more damned lies. Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
With a combination of determined research, an eye for a good story and a wicked sense of humour, bestselling authors Simon Rose and Steve Caplin expose the careless, shameless porkies told by estate agents, insurance companies, manufacturers, politicians, policemen, photographers, airlines, retailers, restaurants and advertisers.
It's a miscellany of misinformation to entertain and horrify, amuse and outrage.
2. Lies, deception, bullsh!t.
We are subjected to a daily barrage of deception so pervasive that we barely notice it any more. Although the big lies still make the headlines, it's the small, everyday half-truths that really drive many of us to distraction.
'Ice cream' with no cream, 'chocolate flavour' with no chocolate, 'customer service' with no service. You have won a prize . . . Your call is important to us . . .
Lies, lies and more damned lies. Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
With a combination of determined research, an eye for a good story and a wicked sense of humour, bestselling authors Simon Rose and Steve Caplin expose the careless, shameless porkies told by estate agents, insurance companies, manufacturers, politicians, policemen, photographers, airlines, retailers, restaurants and advertisers.
It's a miscellany of misinformation to entertain and horrify, amuse and outrage.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The authors have done a stellar job in managing to expose the massive number of lies, deceits, and frauds that are perpetrated daily on us by politicians and businesses, while still keeping the book lively and entertaining. I was both infuriated and amused, particularly at the "I wish I hadn't said that" entries (my favorite being Gerry Sutcliffe's "My comments do not accurately reflect my views"). This is a great read, and I actually laughed out loud several times--perhaps it should be read only in private, but you'll be dying to read out bits to your family and friends! The authors also run a Zebu blog, where they post the most recent shameful examples; sadly, I suspect there will be plenty of material for a sequel before the end of the year. Highly recommended!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This fabulously diverse collection of porkies is a page turner. How can a reference book be a page turner..?
Steve Caplin and Simon Rose have written other informative books (my other favourite is Dad Stuff): zebu utterly and completely seals their reputation as tops for delivering interesting stuff lightheartedly. Zebu is such fun to read, you don't realise you are learning.
Steve Caplin and Simon Rose have written other informative books (my other favourite is Dad Stuff): zebu utterly and completely seals their reputation as tops for delivering interesting stuff lightheartedly. Zebu is such fun to read, you don't realise you are learning.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It's that time of year again. Wondering what to get for all those friends and relatives for Christmas?
Well, Rose and Caplin have come to your rescue. "Complete and Utter Zebu" is funny, clever, irreverent and full of surprises. It's difficult to imagine anyone not enjoying it, and every time you dip into it (and it's definitely a dipping book) you find a bunch of surprising things you'll want to tell your friends about.
Is it all true? I hope so. It's all surprising, anyway, and mostly very funny.
Well, Rose and Caplin have come to your rescue. "Complete and Utter Zebu" is funny, clever, irreverent and full of surprises. It's difficult to imagine anyone not enjoying it, and every time you dip into it (and it's definitely a dipping book) you find a bunch of surprising things you'll want to tell your friends about.
Is it all true? I hope so. It's all surprising, anyway, and mostly very funny.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Pop-expose
I'd never heard of a zebu, let alone knew what it looked like. That is one weird looking creature - see front page! Read more
Published on 2 May 2010 by Jack Hobartson
Not bad
Not brilliant either. Has a lot to fill the pages which are obvious wool over eyes pullers (like photos being doctored in Photoshop, etc. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2010 by James Noel
A book for everyone
Readable, amusing and mostly well documented. The message is: do not to believe anything you read or hear - especially if it comes from the government
Published on 15 Jan 2010 by Alan M. Kragh
Rehashed, poorly written
I was very disappointed with this book. The writing style is very poor, with several glaring typos ("The Chinese bussed in yellow-shirted 'fans', wearing yellow shirts" being one... Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2010 by ToneFloat
Revelatory if you are thick
Got given this book for xmas. Not read it all, just a few pages. Everything I've read is known to me and ought to be obvious to anyone who can think even a tiny bit. Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2009 by B. Fitzgerald
Eye opener
A really funny and illuminating book, and shocking to see how they try to manipulate us and pull wool over our eyes. Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2009 by avidreader
christmas boost
This is a book that will boost anyone's Christmas - while it makes us think worse of those in charge of us,if that were possible, it gives us genuine ammo with which to justify our... Read more
Published on 21 Dec 2009 by I. S. Carrick
YOU MUST BUY THIS FOR CHRISTMAS!
If you are looking for a good book to buy someone for Christmas then I HIGHLY recommend you buy this one! Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2009 by Mrs. E. J. Maclaine
Restore your sceptical faculty...
...dulled by years of abuse by advertisers, politicians and over-enthusiastic journalists. A great round up of things - many of which you will remember and re-clock as being... Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2009 by Gianmarco Hopkins
Fantastic!!
This book is hilarious, and fantastically well presented and organised, so you can dip in and out of it for a laugh whenever you want... Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2009 by lovebooks
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