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Born Liars: Why We Can't Live Without Deceit Paperback – 26 May 2011

4.6 out of 5 stars 56 customer reviews

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Product details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Quercus (26 May 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 184916424X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1849164245
  • Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 13.2 x 3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 734,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • See Complete Table of Contents

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Product Description

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.

Book Description

Ian Leslie 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. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
This book resolved a personal dilemma for me, someone raised in a traditional predominately Muslim culture where lying and deceit are very black and dark attributes of any human being's core nature which this particular book seems to agree with. It is truth which is an acquired trait which we all struggle to achieve during our existence on earth. As an eastern expat striving in the West, I have always struggled with the notion of whether to trust first or distrust upon initial contact, as I tend to be the trusting type personally which means that I must have been influenced by my religious background somehow somewhere. And as truth seems to be abundant in a generally trusting culture I am well disposed to my present conditions.

I enjoyed this book immensely at as it very clearly outlines the various philosophies influencing truth and lies over centuries of human existence. For instance the difference between lying in the West as opposed to the East was very nicely explained.

And lastly the book is very nicely presented for the lay-person instead of being directed to the academics, in my opinion.
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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.
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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.
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Format: Paperback 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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Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I expected this book to be fairly interesting, but it far exceeded my expectations. The author looks at the psychological research which is the stock in trade of many popular science books, but he goes must further. In a fascinating and wide-reaching account, he looks at lie detectors, neuro-science, cults, the art of war and much, much more. What impressed me most was the way he handled the material. He doesn't look at deceitful people as interesting specimens but as human beings who need to take a less than honest view of the world in order to survive in it. I absolutely loved this profound and fascinating book.
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Format: Paperback
What an excellent book. It deals with lies of all kinds but one of the most interesting areas for me was about self-deception and how that is necessary for us to keep living. Those who are unable to deceive themselves (i.e. think that they are above average, attractive, intelligent etc) are more likely to be depressed. And that's just one of the fascinating insights from this book, which covers not only science and pyschology but uses films, tv and literature to illustrate its points. I've started buying it as gifts for my friends.
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Format: Paperback
The book was excellent when it was on BBC Radio4, even better reading it ! It will certainly increase your emotional intelligence !
Buy it and enjoy its information, science, wisdom !
Kiki/AlikiBags
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Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
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 anthropology and neuroscience. It has the narrative strength of a gripping work of fiction, and gives an engaging and often addictive insight into ourselves, and why we behave the way we do. As a parent I particularly enjoyed the chapter on how and why we develop the skills to deceive at an early age. Most of all I enjoyed the chapter on the ethics of lying.
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