The Lies Of The Land: A Brief History Of Political Dishonesty

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.

Reviews

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... Macqueen 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 The 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 *

Author description

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.