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A History of Lying

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( 123 ratings, 38 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In A History of Lying, Juan Jacinto Muñoz-Rengel explores the evolution and implications of deceit throughout human history. The book delves into the nature of falsehood, examining its psychological underpinnings and its role in shaping culture, society, and individual identity. Through engaging anecdotes and philosophical inquiry, the authors illuminate how lying is intricately woven into the fabric of human existence.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by the complex nature of truth and deception. It delves into the philosophical and psychological aspects of lying, exploring how falsehoods have shaped cultures and societies throughout history. The book provides intriguing insights that might appeal to readers interested in the endless debate between truth and lies.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Wherever there is life, there are lies.

Slick-suited politicians lie on the podium, ready to tell voters what they want to hear. Cheating lovers, swindling businessmen, double-crossing villains – all liars. But nature lies too – the cheetah crouching in the tall grass waiting to pounce, its spots and straw-coloured fur blending in with its surroundings, the chameleon with its adaptable skin, the octopus hiding in its cave.

Juan Jacinto Muñoz-Rengel uncovers the slippery history of lies, some dark and elusive, others thunderous and dazzling. From primeval forests to modern politics, he explores the uncomfortable truths of our white lies, fudged facts and blatant deceptions. For centuries, philosophers, writers and poets have grappled with the paradox of what’s fact and what’s fiction. So who can we really believe? Our friends? Our partners? Our leaders? Can we even trust ourselves?

Truly, this is the only book in which the abundance of lies on its pages is a sign of success. Or maybe it isn’t. Who can really tell?

A History of Lying by Juan Jacinto Muñoz-Rengel offers a fascinating exploration into the world of deception, blurring the lines between reality and falsehood in an engaging and thought-provoking manner.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Juan Jacinto Muñoz-Rengel's A History of Lying receives praise for its insightful exploration of deception, tracing its evolutionary origins to its impact on modern society. Critics appreciate its engaging narrative style, blending philosophical inquiry with storytelling, and highlighting falsehoods as potentially intelligent and socially beneficial tools. The work is lauded as an erudite and entertaining reflection on lying's role in human life.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781509551415

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 16 September 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Contributors:

  • Translated by Thomas Bunstead
  • Translated by Thomas Bunstead

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 147.0mm

Height: 221.0mm

Weight: 386g

Pages: 200

About the Author

Juan Jacinto Muñoz-Rengel is a Spanish writer.  Born in Malaga in 1974, he is the author of El gran imaginador (The Great Imaginator), El asesino hipocondríaco (The Hypochondriac Hitman) and El sueño del otro (The Other’s Dream) and he has received more than 50 national and international awards for his short stories.

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