The Encyclopaedia of Liars and Deceivers

This is a very nicely put together book, originally published in Dutch in 2011, and well-translated for English publication in 2014. The book does well to explain (via an extended introduction) its definition of what constitutes inclusion in this work, and why certain well known events and/or subjects have been left out. It then goes about giving a summary (anywhere from one paragraph to three pages) of the final 150 selections that make up the encyclopaedia. Through the choices, a good case is built up for the wide variation in how "liar", "fraud", "deception" and like terms can be expressed--interpersonal relationships; cons of various levels; fraudulent art and scientific work; tactical spying and tricks played to get the upper-hand show more in politics and war. Overall, it is very well put together, though I wished that the entries were either not limited to 150, or more time was spent digging deeper into some of the most significant items. Alas, this did not happen, and will not happen, as Mr. Bolt died in 2012 at the age of 42 from the effects of diabetes, only a year after the initial publication of this work. show less

I always hope these compilations are going to be interesting, and they never quite manage to get there. Very uneven short entries on hoaxers, forgers, and liars of all varieties through the ages. Pretty skippable, alas.