Born Liars


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.

After reading Born Liars you’ll never think about lies – or life – in quite the same way again.

Reviews

‘A consistently startling and fascinating book … It’s erudite yet wears its learning lightly and is full of terrific stories.’
– 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 illuminating, surprising and highly entertaining investigation of our daily lies’
– Kate Fox