"A lighthearted history of lying"—from the international bestselling author of Humans: A Brief History of How We F*cked It All Up (Kirkus Reviews).We live in a "post-truth" world, we're told. But was there ever really a golden age of truth-telling? Or have people been lying, fibbing and just plain bullsh*tting since the beginning of time?Tom Phillips, editor of a leading independent fact-checking organization, deals with this question every day. In

"If Sapiens was a testament to human sophistication, this history of failure cheerfully reminds us that humans are mostly idiots." —Greg Jenner, author of A Million Years in a DayNow an International BestsellerA Toronto Star–Bestselling Book of the YearModern humans have come a long way in the seventy thousand years they've walked the earth. Art, science, culture, trade—on the evolutionary food chain, we're true winners. But ...

'Superb ... entertaining ... Phillips traverses this sprawling terrain with energy and charm' Telegraph'Exceptionally funny from cover to cover, it is not only an entertaining read but also deeply researched and thoughtful' Irish Independent'Fans of Phillips's earlier books Humans and Truth will be pleased that the ex-BuzzFeed editor is on form, not letting the grimness of his subject spoil his gagsmithery' Guardia...

'And they all lived happily ever after…' or so we are told in folk and fairy stories when we are young – but then we grow up and realise that life isn't all roses and happy endings. Life is hard, life is brutal, life is raw and we just have to pick our way through it the best we can.These traditional folk tales for adults explores the unhappily ever afters we so rarely see in stories. Each tale is expanded and the world built around them, bringing them to ...

As children, we are told common fairy tales, all seemingly having happy ever afters. When we grow up, we realise that's not how life works and crave those stories that reflect the messy truths of life.In these detailed retellings of folk tales aimed at adults, discover stories of abandoned men, fools who meet a sticky end, a person still waiting for death, and more. Some in these stories live happily ever after, but not all, as that's just not real life.Tom Phillips retells...

Nestled within our green and pleasant land lies pockets of emerald trees. Their roots search deep into the ground and the branches reach high towards the sun. For centuries some of these have stood watching and listening to the human creatures living among them, hearing their stories and remembering. What mysteries could these woodlands tell if the trees could speak? Stories of brave deeds and foolish, star-crossed lovers, of monsters, giants and witches, hobs and kings. D...

Nestled within our green and pleasant land lies pockets of emerald trees. Their roots search deep into the ground and the branches reach high towards the sun. For centuries some of these have stood watching and listening to the human creatures living among them, hearing their stories and remembering. What mysteries could these woodlands tell if the trees could speak? Stories of brave deeds and foolish, star-crossed lovers, of monsters, giants and witches, hobs and kings. D...

The stories are familiar: family disharmony, mourning the loss of a loved one, vengeance, national tyranny, international war, a desire for justice. This new translation by Jeffrey Scott Bernstein, an independent scholar and novelist, preserves the artistry of the original while deploying a clear speech that directly addresses a twenty-first century temperament. The Oresteia, first performed in Greece in 458 bce, has been celebrated as an example of the highest literary art. The murder of ...

How does a goddess become a witch? Why do the 9 o'clock horses roam the streets of Leicester? Where can you find a bleeding gravestone? And should you be afraid of the shag-dog? Everywhere has a story to tell. Every building, road, forest and field. Some are true, some are not. These stories have been passed down through the ages so that we don't forget them, and now they are being passed on to you. They will open your eyes to the wonders of what lies just around the corne...

From the internationally bestselling authors of A Brief History of the World in 47 Borders (Jonn Elledge) and Truth and Humans (Tom Phillips), an insightful, illuminating, often hilarious, and extremely timely journey through conspiracy theories, how they spread, and how not to fall for themFrom skepticism about the moon landing to the “deep-state” claims of QAnon, it’s always been human nature to believe we’re being lied to by the powers...

Online dating was supposed to make life easier, to help us bypass cheesy chat-up lines and avoid those awkward getting-to-know-you chats. But thanks to Tinder, the world's favourite dating app, you can now be horrified by lewd come-ons, cringe at incompetent smalltalk and wonder at what some people think passes for 'banter' in the comfort of your own home! Isn't technology great?Featuring some of the most awkward, embarrassing and outright insane Tinder conversations ever ...

Hilarious, non-stop adventure, a mysterious jewel heist, and a detective team like no other make this a must-have middle grade series starter. Perfect for fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events and Enola Holmes**.**After twelve-year-old John Boarhog’s mom dies, the last thing he wants is to be schlepped off to the Jersey Home for Boys, where kids are forced to make skinny jeans for hipsters and ar...