A Treasury of Deception: Liars, Misleaders, Hoodwinkers, and the Extraordinary True Stories of History's Greatest Hoaxes, Fakes, and Frauds (Michael Farquhar Treasury Series #3)

by Michael Farquhar

Overview

We may say that honesty is the best policy, but history--to say nothing of business, politics, and the media--suggests otherwise. In this infinitely citable book, the author of two bestselling treasuries of scandal recounts some of the greatest deceptions of all time. With what forged document did the Vatican lay claim to much of Europe? Who wrote Hitler's diaries? Why do millions still believe the vague doggerel that Nostradamus passed off as prophecy? Organizing his material by theme (con artists, the press, military trickery, scientific fraud, imposters, great escapes, and more), Michael Farquhar takes in everything from the hoodwinking of Hitler to Vincent "the Chin" Gigante's thirty-year crazy act.

A Treasury of Deception is a zestful, gossipy exposé--and celebration--of mendacity.

A Treasury of Deception also includes:

Ten tricksters from scripture

Ten great liars in literature

Ten egregious examples of modern American doublespeak

Ten classic deceptions from Greek mythology

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780143035442
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/31/2005
Series:	Michael Farquhar Treasury Series , #3
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.37(w) x 7.94(h) x 0.65(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Michael Farquhar is a writer and editor at the Washington Post specializing in history. He is the author of the bestsellers A Treasury of Great American Scandals and A Treasury of Royal Scandals. He appeared on the History Channel's Russia, Land of the Tsars and will be featured on a forthcoming program about the French Revolution.

Editorial Reviews

Some authors revel in heroic acts and breathtaking achievements; Michael Farquhar prefers miscreants. In A Treasury of Great American Scandals, he led us on a tour through the dark side of American history. In A Treasury of Deception, he introduces us (in the words of the subtitle) to "liars, misleaders, hoodwinkers, and the extraordinary true stories of history's greatest hoaxes, fakes, and frauds."