He Shell Game

The Truth About Lies

Why do you believe what you believe? You've been lied to. Probably a lot. We're always stunned when we realize we've been deceived. We can't believe we were fooled: What was I thinking? How could I have believed that? We always wonder why we believed the lie. But have you ever wondered why you believe the truth? People tell you the truth all the time, and you believe them; and if, at some later point, you're confronted with evidence that the story you believed was indeed true, you never wonder why you believed it in the first place. In this incisive and insightful taxonomy of lies and liars, New York Times bestselling author Aja Raden makes the surprising claim that maybe you should. Buttressed by history, psychology, and science, The Truth About Lies is both an eye-opening primer on con-artistry—from pyramid schemes to shell games, forgery to hoaxes—and also a telescopic view of society through the mechanics of belief: why we lie, why we believe, and how, if at all, the acts differ. Through wild tales of cons and marks, Raden examines not only how lies actually work, but also why they work, from the evolutionary function of deception to what it reveals about our own. In her previous book, Stoned, Raden asked, "What makes a thing valuable?" In The Truth About Lies, she asks "What makes a thing real?" With cutting wit and a deft touch, Raden untangles the relationship of truth to lie, belief to faith, and deception to propaganda. The Truth About Lies will change everything you thought you knew about what you know, and whether you ever really know it.

Congressional Record

Rescue Dog

Many people believe that rescue dogs are troubled, traumatised, strays with long-lasting problems. While this view may be true in some instances, the majority of dogs in rescue centres are there because their previous owners have simply abandoned them. Every year new homes are found for thousands of these 'rescue' dogs by dedicated charities but in order to make this re-homing a success, the new owners need considerable knowledge, patience and understanding. The Rescue Dog takes the reader through each stage of the re-homing process, from choosing a dog, to preparing the home and garden and settling the dog into its new life. With chapters which examine the elderly dog, puppies, avoiding misunderstandings, training and common concerns, the authors have produced a fully informative and practical guide. Topics covered include: Where to go to find a rescue dog and what to expect; The early days when the dog is settling into its new home; Canine requirements; Common behavioural concerns; Children and dogs. This invaluable book offers new owners a practical guide to responsible ownership, and is illustrated throughout with 143 colour photographs and diagrams.