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Fake History
- Ten Great Lies and How They Shaped the World
- Narrated by: Otto English
- Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins
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Summary
A fun, authoritative and alternative history of the world that exposes some of the biggest lies ever told and how they've been used over time.
Lincoln did not believe all men were created equal.
The Aztecs were not slaughtered by the Spanish Conquistadors.
And Churchill was not the man that people love to remember.
Journalist and author Otto English takes apart 10 of the greatest lies from history and shows how our present continues to be twisted and manipulated by the fabrications of the past.
Much of what we assume to be true or are encouraged to believe to be true is simply wrong. Whether propagated by politicians and think tanks, populists or the media, the family tales of childhood or your Facebook friend's feed - fake history is everywhere and it impacts, ever more, on our modern world.
This book dismantles the lazy and pernicious tropes of the past as Otto English sets out to redress the balance and reclaim truth from those who seek to pervert it.
Fake History will expose everything you weren't told in school and reveal why you weren't taught it.
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- Amazon Customer
- 16-11-21
Thank you
Well worth listening to ,confirmed my own feeling about historical events and some .Eye opener.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 25-02-22
Quite a rant
Really interesting ramble through the world of fake news. Very relevant to today....He gets quite annoyed during it but why shouldn't he. Don't listen to this if you're a bit blind on Churchill
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- Pat
- 08-08-22
So interesting
In this current climate of ‘fake news’ I found it really interesting to have some historical myths busted. We live in a scary world though …
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- Ian
- 03-01-24
interesting and illuminating
so much to take in I will need to listen again. The only problem is that while you are contemplating the previous myth busting fact another 3 have been exposed... very enjoyable listen.
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- Daniel
- 26-06-21
Amazing
If you like history and being entertained this is for you. Truly, truly unbelievably interesting
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19 people found this helpful
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- A. THOMAS
- 07-01-23
Bit of a Rant
Some interesting bits where he identifies fake history.
But he just can’t stop himself drifting into a series of leftist rants. Yes the right certainly peddles many lies but then so do the left. Otto only seems to have a problem with the former.
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6 people found this helpful
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- Phoebe C
- 24-02-23
Thoroughly enjoyable romp through [fake] history
In "Fake History", Otto English presents a range of topics related to the prevalence of distorted historical narratives and the importance of historical literacy. English's topics include white supremacist beliefs, exaggerated claims about Britain's involvement in World War II, and the manipulation of history for political and ideological purposes. While these topics are diverse, they are all connected by English's overarching argument that historical accuracy and critical thinking are essential in the modern world. English frequently references the works of ancient Greek historians Herodotus and Thucydides. English uses these references to illustrate the importance of historical accuracy and the dangers of distorted historical narratives, as well as to highlight the relevance of critical thinking in today's world.
The book's accessibility is one of its most notable features. English's writing style is clear and engaging, making even complex historical concepts and debates easily comprehensible. The book includes numerous real-life examples and case studies that help to illustrate English's arguments and make them relatable to readers.
English's arguments are well-supported by extensive research and numerous real-world examples. He presents a balanced and nuanced view of complex historical issues, taking care to address multiple perspectives and interpretations. Additionally, his arguments are presented in a clear and accessible manner, making them easy to understand for a broad audience. There were several moments during the book where I had to acknowledge - uncomfortably so - that my own views of some of these events were those ill-informed ‘myths’ he was debunking. I thank him for these and for the pragmatic guidance and tactics he offers readers to improve their historical literacy, including scrutinising sources and seeking multiple perspectives.
It is important to note, however, that while English's arguments are well-supported, they are not necessarily without controversy. Like any work of non-fiction, "Fake History" presents a particular perspective and may be subject to criticism from those who hold different views or interpretations of historical events. Nevertheless, English's thorough research and thoughtful presentation make a compelling case for the importance of historical accuracy and critical thinking.
Overall, the topics selected by English in "Fake History" are relevant and thought-provoking, and his arguments are credible and well-supported. The book is a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse regarding the significance of historical accuracy and literacy in today's world.
The timbre, pitch and intensity of Mr English's voice suited the topics & consequently I found this is an eminently listenable book - helpful when the book is over 11hrs 30mins. Although his Donald Trump impressions do need some work!
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- Michael Gayle
- 17-07-22
Fake History Review
Well put together and me persoanlly infrmative. Reinforced for me always ask questions done !
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- Belinda
- 23-08-22
Essential listening
Otto English keeps the content accessible and engaging throughout - he lays the foundation of each topic before honing in on the exact fake history at issue, without going down too many rabbit holes or tangents.
I appreciated though how he also went into WHY history is eh, 'intentionally misremembered' sometimes. Gives a good insight into how we think about the past and how important a 'good story' is to us as a species...
All in all just very enjoyable and despite the heaviness of the history at hand, in parts it was very funny too. Highly recommend!
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- Amazon Customer
- 02-08-21
Timely and important
A great read, shining a light on disinformation and why we are drawn to it. Essential listening
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1 person found this helpful