The Lies of the Land
An Honest History of Political Deceit
Published on 7. September 2017
368 pages
978-1-78649-250-0 (ISBN)
Description
Trust in our politicians is at an all-time low. We're in a "post-truth" era, where feelings trump facts, and where brazen rhetoric beats honesty. But do politicians lie more than they used to? And do we even want them to tell the truth?
In a history full of wit and political acumen, Private Eye journalist Adam Macqueen dissects the gripping stories of the biggest political lies of the last half century, from the Profumo affair to Blair's WMDs to Boris Johnson's GBP350 million for the NHS. Covering lesser known whoppers, infamous lies from foreign shores ("I did not have sexual relations with that woman"), and some of the resolute untruths from Donald Trump's explosive presidential campaign, this is the quintessential guide to dishonesty from our leaders - and the often pernicious relationship between parliament and the media.
But this book is also so much more. It explains how in the space of a lifetime we have gone from the implicit assumption that our rulers have our best interests at heart, to assuming the worst even when - in the majority of cases - politicians are actually doing their best.
In a history full of wit and political acumen, Private Eye journalist Adam Macqueen dissects the gripping stories of the biggest political lies of the last half century, from the Profumo affair to Blair's WMDs to Boris Johnson's GBP350 million for the NHS. Covering lesser known whoppers, infamous lies from foreign shores ("I did not have sexual relations with that woman"), and some of the resolute untruths from Donald Trump's explosive presidential campaign, this is the quintessential guide to dishonesty from our leaders - and the often pernicious relationship between parliament and the media.
But this book is also so much more. It explains how in the space of a lifetime we have gone from the implicit assumption that our rulers have our best interests at heart, to assuming the worst even when - in the majority of cases - politicians are actually doing their best.
Reviews / Votes
Irresistibly enjoyable... Funny, colourful and always insightful * Dominic Sandbrook - historian, columnist and television presenter * An excellent guide through the thickets of political mendacity. Brilliantly-researched, intelligent, and lucid, this book is essential reading * Matthew D'Ancona - author of Post Truth and Guardian columnist * Forensic and hilarious... McQueen tells the highly entertaining tale of how lying comes so easily to those who should be the most accountable * Miles Jupp - presenter, BBC Radio 4's News Quiz * The best book about political dishonesty that I've ever read or my name isn't Neil Hamilton! * Lloyd Langford - comedian * Hilarious and troubling. * Daily Mail on The Prime Minister's Ironing Board and Other State Secrets * Vignettes of British political life from the whimsical to the downright chilling . . . delightfully gossipy * Financial Times on The Prime Minister's Ironing Board and Other State Secrets * Full of wry, waspish humour. * The Scotsman on The Prime Minister's Ironing Board and Other State Secrets * The perfect bedside book. * Guardian on The Prime Minister's Ironing Board and Other State Secrets *More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
File size
0,92 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-78649-250-0 (9781786492500)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
06/2018
Atlantic Books
€14.50
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Book
09/2017
Atlantic Books
€23.00
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Person
Adam Macqueen has worked at Private Eye on and off for fourteen years. He was assistant, deputy and finally acting editor of The Big Issue between 1999 and 2002. He is the author of the acclaimed bestsellers The Private Eye: The First 50 Years and The Prime Minister's Ironing Board and Other State Secrets.
Content
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Out of Deference
- 2. Sex Lies
- 3. Financial Fibbing
- 4. Gamblers' Conceits
- 5. Sins of Spin
- 6. Continental Drift
- 7. Where Power Lies
- 8. Breaking Their Word
- 9. Whose Truth is it Anyway?
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgements
- Notes
- Index
