Genres: Nonfiction
“I’m the most terrific liar you ever saw in your life. It’s awful. If I’m on my way to the store to buy a magazine, even, and somebody asks me where I’m going, I’m liable to say I’m going to the opera. It’s terrible.”
-J. D. Salinger, The Cather in the Rye
Being human and being able to communicate and understand each other with our spoken or written words, might make us feel superior in front of other species. We can be on the top of the food chain, the IQ chain and all other chains as much as we want. But I am must tell you, when it comes to ‘lying’, we are at the bottom of that chain. I believe no other animal on this planet has a tendency to lie as much as a human. But what motivates ‘us’ to lie?
If there are N number of lies one can lie about in a day, then there are N number of reasons for us to deceive. Being deceived is common and a constant process that we all are part of. Everybody lies. And to everyone. We all are victim to this contagious, never ending malady.
Pamela Meyer’s book LIESPOTTING: Proven Techniques to Detect Deception which is a result of rigorous research on how to catch the lies and its disseminator. Her book put much emphasis on establishing behaviour for an individual to interpret things such as spotting lies. She starts off with a few narrative and interesting specimens that are enough to get a reader’s attention. Most of these specimens are concentrated on the corporate world rather than day-to day life. The principles she define later on the book, are more concentrated on these examples, but many of them are applicable in our daily life.
The ultimate goal of Meyer’s book, I deduce is that we should follow a behavioural pattern and our gut instinct (importantly). Her book focuses on the facial expressions, postures, how body language can have a major role when spotting a lie and some advice on verbal phrases and responses. Overall the concept is interesting and quite intriguing.
But Pamela’s book failed to impress me much as her book concentrates on very least amount of specimen, some of which are straight forward, otherwise not enough content supports her research. In the end, it appeared to more of a research paper than a book.
I’ll only recommend this book if you have long weekend to spare and not to spend too much time with it otherwise.
2 out of 5!
How do you tell when Obama is lying? His lips move!
BTW, I love the layout of your blog–a very professional appearance.
Thanks Lee. I’ll make sure next time I see Obama speaking, I’ll notice that lying spot. 🙂
That’s an interesting topic. I learned not to tell the truth as a child. I still (avoid) the truth when it’s uncomfortable. My kids on the other hand, are painfully honest, ALWAYS. My daughter let a job go rather than lie. She and my son are the most diplomatic truth tellers I’ve ever met and I can spot a lie before it’s told. I might give this one a short browse. Thanks for the honest review.
You’re most welcome. It must take years of practice to spot a lie before it’s told, isn’t it? 🙂
You can see it in their body language that you are going to be lied to. I’ve had more profound reactions to absolute truth. The hairs on my body stand up in a way that rarely ever happens. You can also tell when someone does not want to hear the truth. Funny thing, truth.
Truly said!
I like the honesty of your review. I think I’ll check it out anyway.
I’m glad you read the review 🙂
Reblogged this on bears goats and strawberries and commented:
Nope, depends on culture, heritage, humor, friendships, and where you are on the planet. Still wrong. Fail.