Telling Lies: Clues to Deceit in the Marketplace, Politics, and Marriage

by Paul Ekman

Book Overview

Paul Ekman, a renowned expert in emotions research and nonverbal communication, has now updated his groundbreaking inquiry into lying and methods for uncovering lies. From the deception strategies of international public figures, such as Adolf Hitler and Richard Nixon, to the deceitful behavior of private individuals, including adulterers and petty criminals, Ekman shows that a successful liar most often depends on a willfully innocent dupe. His study...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393321886
• ISBN13: 9780393321883
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 390 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.7" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

An incite to Lies, Deception, in the MarketPlace, Politics and Relationships

This book is unique because it gives the reader concepts, thought process, tips, reading body language to aid in the perception of who may be lying or deceiving the reader in the Marketplace, Politics, and in Relationships of any kind. Bought it new and would recommend. Stuart. 02/08/2010

Here's Where You Start

Ekman's book on Telling Lies is not only the source of much of the real science you can see on the hit Fox show "Lie to Me" but it is the best place to start learning about the science of deception detection. This is not body language, this is not "Blink" type decision making, it's a scientific approach to the universality of human facial expression. Well written with an extremely useful appendix that features a check list that needs to be reviewed whenever you intend to use the system to detect a lie. Highly recommended.

Telling Lies, Clues to Deceit in the Marketplace, Politics, and Marriage

This work by Paul Ekman is absolutely fascinating. It is amazing that more than 65% of human communication occurs without speaking a word!!! Although Mr. Ekman writes in a detail oriented manner, the information he provides is astounding. I have very much enjoyed this book and will certainly purchase more works by Mr. Ekman and others that have more information on this spellbinding subject!! Bravo!!

A good book on Lie detection, Ekman really shines

As I've said in my other reviews, I am not Susan Gill, I'm her son. Dr. Ekman's work on lie detection has been getting a lot of attention lately, due to the fact his science is regularly practiced on Fox's new show Lie to me. The producers even asked him to be their scientific consultant and have put on a quite impressive display of how effective Ekman's study really is. Alright, first off, the problems. Dr. Ekman has a notorious habit in the entire book for stating that his science is, "inconclusive" and "still has a lot of faults" and that he`s not sure about this, or that. In other words, he tries to come off like there is no real way of knowing if his science works or not, and if it`s a real practical way of catching deciet. This is mostly because he focuses on "deception clues" instead of "deception leakage" which are two entirely different things to look for in a person when looking for deceit (don't worry he describes both in detail, although deception clues in more detail). But the truth is, it does work, and it works very effectively when used correctly. The reason he keeps saying it's inconclusive is because he wrote well over half of this book in `85, way back when he didn't have funds for research on his study. However, if you get the updated version to `01 or even better `08, then he begins to write that his work is much more conclusive than before, and that using facial reading with body language, you are well over 90 % accurate in your lie detection (and concealed emotions reading) ability. One more complaint that I have is that it seems he shouldn't have written the book himself. It can be a very tough read at points, sometimes having so many technical terms it's hard to keep up, so if you're looking for really easy reading, this book isn't for you. Also, he seems to neglect certain findings that he makes and doesn't give them as much detail as he should sometimes (i.e. mouth shrugs and one sided shoulder shrugs). Another thing he doesn't give enough attention to is (oddly enough) his main point of research, the face. He gives great detail on the body, voice, and words for lying, but when it came to the face, he didn't give hardly any detail on the seven universal emotions. Instead, he gives greater detail to different smiles a person can make, and what each of them could mean (valuable, of course, but that won't tell you if they're lying). For the most part, though, he gives great detail on most of the important things. Now, for the positive aspects. If the hard reading doesn't bother you, and you're as committed as I was when it comes to lie detection, then this book is completely worth your time. Dr. Ekman may have a hard time writing out what he means, but you always seem to understand the important things when he does write about them. He includes many things that are not in the show Lie to Me like the difference between "manipulators" and "illustrators". He also gives the three reasons why people c

A fantastic, innovative and thought provoking book.

Paul Ekman dives deep within the recesses of the human psyche to uncover the truth and meaning behind lying. He witfully draws parallels between what lying is, and how one can detect it. Ekman engages in thought-provoking arguements and ideas about why people lie, and the neurosis that lying truly is and possible ways to treat it. This is a fantastic view that casts doubt upon those who deem themselves "honest."