Author(s): Eric Chaline

SECONDHAND BOOKS | HISTORY

A light-hearted look at fifty of the greatest and grandest fakes, frauds and forgeries the world has seen. According to the Bible, human history began with the first big lie (the Serpent's deception of Eve), closely followed by the second (Eve's deception of Adam). And, as you peruse the fifty entries listed here, you will realise that humans have been trying to put one over on the other guy ever since. No matter what period or country, religion or ideology you examine, humans have lied, faked, forged, hoaxed, deceived, defrauded, and scammed their brothers and sisters in search of a quick buck, fame, glory, power, amusement, or just to see if they could get away with it. Organised chronologically from the very first deceit in Eden, it brings you the most inventive and diverting ways humans have deceived one another. The most obvious deceptions are financial. But even though money is at the root of many deceptions, it is by no means the only motivation. Scientists have tampered with evidence in the vain hope of proving their pet theories; failed artists have forged the works of past masters to garner some of their kudos; imposters have sought to hide their own drab, uninteresting origins under the mantle of borrowed names; and hoaxers have more than strained the envelope of truth to amuse themselves at the expense of others.

2010. A near fine copy.