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Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy
- Narrated by: David Mitchell
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Entertainment & Performing Arts
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What listeners say about Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Pyrex
- 30-11-19
Excellent casual listening
Being essentially a compilation of Mitchell's Observer columns, the book makes for very 'easy listening' and is ideal for listening to alongside working, as no intense concentration is needed. Nevertheless it's quite funny - laugh out loud funny at times - but mostly dry and sarcastic. Mitchell is a self-proclaimed 'remoaner' so an open-mind/level of tolerance would be needed for those whom lie on the other side of the Brexit spectrum. All in all a good book, but if you are a regular reader of the Observer, bear in mind that it's just a compilation of organised articles that you may well have already read.
45 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-11-19
Loved it
David Mitchell is an eloquent narrator and has an excellent writing style. He reasons his way through modern life and even if you don't always agree with him (and I do) you can't deny he has at least thought his view through.
23 people found this helpful
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- MR.J
- 31-10-20
Another great British London book
Another excellent British London publish. Sure, there is the odd error... There's always going to be some errors. Considering the ink shortage in Denmark, Mr Micthel did a great job of fronting the £2k just to get this book over the line.
20 people found this helpful
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- John C.
- 19-12-19
Mitchell is funny but the book is average
I like David Mitchell but this book wasn't that funny or clever. just random anecdotes and political bashing. not terrible but it seems more like a money grab than a well thought-out peice if comedic writing.
17 people found this helpful
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- Danny Dolan
- 11-04-20
Bit disappointing
Wearyingly panders to Guardianistas in all columns, albeit witty at times. Not David's best work!
10 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 26-11-19
David Mitchell Doing what he does
if you like the logical ramblings of David Mitchel you'll love this. A series of his newspaper articles read out in his unique and entertaining way. Great value with over 8 hours of non stop thought provoking comedy.
10 people found this helpful
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- wookie_hunter76
- 02-12-19
Genius!!
Thoroughly enjoyable listen! David’s witty delivery makes listening to this all the more entertaining! Well worth the time
8 people found this helpful
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- Rich
- 05-11-19
Reassuring
Someone very clever and funny explaining socially complicated things through columns. Weirdly soothing, oddly comforting.
17 people found this helpful
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- Michael C.
- 30-11-19
Mitchellian Magic...
I love David Mitchell and if you do you'll likely like this. Would give 10 stars if I could but that's just bucking the social order. which in fact this book does...
7 people found this helpful
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- Adnan
- 29-11-19
Obviously a great book
Words with which you will certainly agree from a voice you would like to hear.
5 people found this helpful
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- Maggie May
- 19-11-19
Meant for UK listeners
It's possible that David Mitchell isn't expecting to have all that many fans in the US. This book is cobbled together from think pieces he does for a British publication - so there are many references that just shoot over my stupid American head.
My husband and I listened to parts of it together and did laugh at the stuff we did understand. We love Mr. Mitchell's humor and see him quite a bit on various British quiz shows and Upstart Crow. (not a fan of Peep Show, but my husband surely is) It was disappointing to me that not enough of it was 'gettable' though it's certainly not the fault of the author. As I said, I'm not really his target audience.
If you are up to date on all things UK, this could be for you. even if you are American.
24 people found this helpful
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- Ryan
- 19-12-19
I just frigging love David Mitchell
I just frigging love David Mitchell. Here with typical low-key brilliance he calls out b.s. left, right and center, and yet keeps it light by continuing to be the bastion of friendly, beardy, “old BBC” vibes he is—and he’s hilarious, with his extra-dry observational style, his verbal inventions, and his good-natured but cranky crank.
9 people found this helpful
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- Joy
- 20-06-20
Agree or not, Mitchell rants are great
I thought about giving four stars but then realized it was only because as an American, I didn’t necessarily know all his references. That would be wrong because I love listening to David Mitchell talking about current events, conspiracy theories etc. you don’t even have to agree with him to enjoy the rant.
6 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 16-02-20
Hilarious, ironic, sarcastic.
I enjoyed his pearls of wisdom in Peep Show and Would I Lie to You. Highly recommend if you like The sarcastic British humor.
5 people found this helpful
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- dolmenus
- 13-07-20
Above the average!
David Mitchell is not a comedian he is Rene Descartes bizzaro! In a very positive way! He makes the art of thinking and analyzing fun!
4 people found this helpful
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- Jan Padilla
- 11-05-20
Delightfully cathartic pedantry
I really enjoy listening to David Mitchell's comedic writing. Primarily because there's an inventiveness about his gripes, it sort of puts your own values and the stuff you moan about into perspective. In a way it really just makes you think yourself silly.
4 people found this helpful
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- henfish
- 17-09-21
Mitchel nails it
I loved this audio book. Just nodded and giggled along the whole way through. Despite some of this satire being from 5 plus years ago, it was still relevant, articulate and brilliantly written. Serious subjects tackled with heavy dose of Mitchell’s uniquely, nerdy silliness. Going to download another one of his books immediately. Thank you .
2 people found this helpful
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- Tyler Thomas
- 15-04-20
David Mitchell is back and just as good as ever
I swear I could listen to David whinge about absolutely anything for hours and hours.
2 people found this helpful
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- Mr wonderful
- 09-01-20
Love David Michell, he kills it as always.
It's quick, maybe a bit rambley at times, but still enjoyable. I'd say I don't know a whole lot about British politics, so that's one issue I have with the book.
2 people found this helpful
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- August B.
- 12-05-20
Didn't realize Mitchell was so needlessly vicious
I arrived at this volume directly from 'Backstory' and I have to say that I'm somewhat taken aback by how personally Mitchell deals with politics and the world outside entertainment. Pessimism with technological developments, bitter remoaning, frequent recourse to the idea that all wealth is properly the state's to dispose with. As the Greatest Living Statesman would say, "Sad!"
1 person found this helpful