In his fascinating new book Fake History, journalist and author Otto English takes ten great lies from history and shows how our present continues to be manipulated by the fabrications of the past.
He looks at how so much of what we take to be historical fact is, in fact, fiction. From the myths of WW2 to the adventures of Columbus, and from the self-serving legends of 'great men' to the origins of curry – fake history is everywhere and used ever more to impact our modern world.
Setting out to redress the balance, English tears apart the lies propagated by politicians and think tanks, the grand narratives spun by populists and the media, the stories on your friend's Facebook feed and the tales you were told in childhood. And, in doing so, reclaims the truth from those who have perverted it.
In a time of deep fakes, alternative truths and leaked secrets, it would be easy to think that we are surrounded by lies. How do we do this extraordinary thing – often under the most ordinary of circumstances? How do we convince each other to suspend disbelief? Do we really tell more lies today? And considering her own lies, can she even be trusted on this subject?
In her brilliant, wide-ranging study of lies and lying, The Social Superpower, Wyatt introduces us to a cast of professionals and professional liars – from scientists to investigators, from double agents to toddler specialists, from a fallen titan of industry to a Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist. Together, they all help her prove a remarkable thesis: lies hold us together as much as they push us apart and they are vital in a healthy society.
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Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Glasgow? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Glasgow Mitchell Library Classics Book Group runs on the first Thursday of each month with the library kindly providing books for all members, so there is no cost involved!
READ MOREDon't miss an illustrated evening lecture on Wylie & Lochhead and the Glasgow Style by Alison Brown, Curator of European Decorative Art and Design 1800-present, Glasgow Life Museums.
READ MOREGlasgow's Book Fair, Books at the Botanics, is held every month in the Hopkirk building at Glasgow's Botanic Gardens!
READ MOREGlasgow Mitchell Library Classics Book Group runs on the first Thursday of each month with the library kindly providing books for all members, so there is no cost involved!
READ MOREChristopher Whyte will be reading in Gaelic and in English translation from his tenth collection Athair/Father at Gaelic Books Council on Wednesday 27th November.
READ MOREJoin Eliza Clark, author of Boy Parts and Penance, for the launch of her first short story collection, She's Always Hungry, in conversation with Elle Nash at Waterstones Argyle Street!
READ MOREJoin broadcaster and author John MacKay at Kelvingrove for the launch of his latest book, Scotland Today and Yesterday: Witness to a Changing Nation.
READ MOREMeet the Hebridean Baker, Coinneach MacLeod, as he signs copies of his latest cookbook, The Scottish Cookbook, in store on Saturday 7th December!
READ MORECome join Dave and Steve Flynn from The Happy Pear as they dish out wisdom, laughs, and plenty of plant-based goodness when they bring their live tour to Oran Mor Glasgow on Sunday 26th January!
READ MOREJoin bestselling author Tom Hindle at Waterstones Sauchiehall Street as he brings you his latest locked-room destination mystery, perfect for fans of Anthony Horowitz and Knives Out.
READ MOREVal McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon will be joined on stage at the King's Theatre by special comedy guests to talk about the books that have left an indelible mark on them, for good and ill!
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