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

Written by Paul Ekman

Narrated by Stephen Bowlby

From breaking the law to breaking a promise, how do people lie and how can they be caught?



In this revised edition, Paul Ekman, a renowned expert in emotions research and nonverbal communication, adds a new chapter to present his latest research on his groundbreaking inquiry into lying and the methods for uncovering lies. Ekman has figured out the most important behavioral clues to deceit; he has developed a one-hour self-instructional program that trains people to observe and understand "micro expressions"; and he has done research that identifies the facial expressions that show whether someone is likely to become violent—a self-instructional program to train recognition of these dangerous signals has also been developed.



Telling Lies describes how lies vary in form and how they can differ from other types of misinformation that can reveal untruths. It discusses how a person's body language, voice, and facial expressions can give away a lie but still fool professional lie hunters—even judges, police officers, drug enforcement agents, and Secret Service agents.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Jun 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9798765007662

Paul Ekman

Paul Ekman is Professor Emeritus of Psychology in the department of psychiatry at the University of California Medical School, San Francisco, and the author of 13 books. He is a frequent consultant on emotional expression to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as to animation studios such as Pixar and Industrial Light and Magic.

Reviews for Telling Lies

[pattylee-621744 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Intriguing topic. Can you spell t-e-d-i-o-u-s? His discussions of the misuse of the lie detector are good and insights into diplomatic/international relations lying are fascinating, but too much detail on exact facial muscles and shatteringly complicated terminology. And I like science.

[Psicocabra · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The scientific foundation of Ekman is masterful. Just like his contributions to the world of psychology and more specifically to the study of emotions.

For me, a prototype book of what a good psychology book should be. (Translated from Spanish)

[jandie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Impressive, real keys that help to identify situations in which we can be deceived. An enjoyable read, easy to follow, and with a simple explanation. If you want to learn how to develop a sixth sense regarding spoken words in business, love, and more; this book is ideal. (Translated from Spanish)

[cjyurkanin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A maelstrom of original and ground-breaking information never seen before it was published some 30 years ago; by the man who "Lie to Me" was based upon. The first three chapters can be dry and redundant but they lay the foundation for what a lie is and what types there are. Chapter 4 gets into the meat of identification and can leave you exhausted after just a few pages; the 3 pages that describe a chosen 18 types of smiles, for example. And the long chapter on polygraphs (which I thought I'd end up merely flipping through) wound up being the most interesting section of the book, with much of it still relevant for today. The real-life historical examples (Hitler/Chamberlain, Watergate figures, murderers, and philanderers)used throughout work much better than the lies and liars he provides from literature (Updike, Shakespeare, and others). A later edition with actual photos of micro-expressions instead of the sparse pencil drawings contained in this edition will prove much more useful. A MUST-HAVE on the shelf of any sideline-psychologist.

[dbayn1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very well done book by someone who has done an extensive amount of research in the area. Discusses common misconceptions and discusses actual methods (all of which require some level of practice/training). Arguments are back by actual psychological evidence from research studies.