The Encyclopaedia of Liars and Deceivers - Roelf Bolt

"The Encyclopedia of Liars and Deceivers" is a fascinating book by Roelf Bolt that explores the history and psychology of lying and deception. Bolt is a Dutch historian and author who has written extensively on topics such as language, culture, and communication.

Published in 2014, "The Encyclopedia of Liars and Deceivers" is a comprehensive and entertaining survey of the world of deception. The book is organized alphabetically, with entries on individuals, historical events, literary works, and psychological concepts related to lying and deception.

George Washington may never have told a lie, but he may be the only person―our history is littered with liars, deceivers, fraudsters, counterfeiters, and unfaithful lovers.  The Encyclopaedia of Liars and Deceivers  gathers 150 of them, each entry telling the intriguing tale of the liar’s motives and the people who fell for the lies.
 
To collect these stories of deceit, Roelf Bolt travels from ancient times to the present day, documenting a huge assortment of infamous quacks, fraudulent scientists, crooks who committed “pseudocides” by faking their own deaths, and forgers of artworks, design objects, archaeological finds, and documents. From false royal claims, fake dragon’s eggs, and bogus perpetual motion machines to rare books, mermaid skeletons, and Stradivari violins, Bolt reveals that almost everything has been forged or faked by someone at some point in history. His short, accessible narratives in each entry offer biographies and general observations on specific categories of deceit, and Bolt captures an impressive number of famous figures―including Albert Einstein, Cicero, Ptolemy, Ernest Hemingway, François Mitterand, and Marco Polo―as well as people who would have remained anonymous had their duplicity not come to light.

Bolt's writing is engaging and insightful, and he draws on a wide range of sources to illuminate his subject matter. He covers everything from famous hoaxes and forgeries to the ways in which lying is portrayed in literature and film. He also delves into the psychology of lying and the ways in which we all engage in deception in our everyday lives.

"The Encyclopedia of Liars and Deceivers" is a thought-provoking book that challenges readers to think critically about the nature of truth and falsehood. It is also a highly entertaining read, full of fascinating anecdotes and surprising insights. Whether you are interested in history, psychology, or simply the art of storytelling