Cynical about what you read and hear? Tired of the lies and misinformation? Who should you trust?

Forty years ago, as Ted Griffith entered the business of communications, marketing, and public affairs—all aiming to persuade people to either change their minds or take certain actions—he asked himself, Why are so many people seduced by lies and propaganda? He’s spent the forty years since trying to find the answers.

Theater of Lies provides an in-depth examination of the lies, misinformation, and propaganda in our lives. For centuries, we’ve been persuaded to trust the lies told by our governments, businesses, and religions to manage how we think and act, to their benefit, not ours.

Filled with real-life examples, Theater of Lies demonstrates the impact lies and misinformation have had through the centuries and today on topics including racism, gender debates, entrenched political divides, and the status of women. In addition, it examines how and why we repeat these lies and the impact this has on our decision-making, not just as voters and consumers, but also as employees, employers, and parents.

Want change? You need to care, be curious, and most of all, have the courage to act. Otherwise, lies and misinformation will continue to divide us, exacerbating existing differences and making us distrust institutions, the political process, governments, and the media.