The Confidence Game cover art

The Confidence Game

The Psychology of the Con and Why We Fall for It Every Time

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The Confidence Game

By: Maria Konnikova
Narrated by: Maria Konnikova
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About this listen

Con men are artists of persuasion and exploiters of trust. They hold a deep, enigmatic fascination for us. But how do they do it? Whether it's a suspicious-looking email or a multimillion-dollar global swindle, Maria Konnikova investigates the psychological principles that underlie each stage of the confidence game and the profile of both the con artist and his mark.

We learn how grifters can be so persuasive, even to those of us who consider ourselves immune, and how we can train ourselves to discern the signs of a story that isn't quite what it seems.

Insightful and entertaining, telling fascinating stories about some of the most seductive imposters in history, The Confidence Game takes us into the world of the con to examine not only why we believe in confidence artists but how our sense of truth can be manipulated by those around us.

©2016 Maria Konnikova (P)2015 Canongate Books Ltd
Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Psychology & Interactions Inspiring Thought-Provoking Game

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All stars
Most relevant
Great story for self realisation! A bit on a scary side. grear examples mixed with science behind the confidense game.

Great book for anyone who wants to understand con

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Really struggled to finish this book, love the subject. Equally watching the hustle would do.

Good basis, too long.

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I wanted to re-read this book and it was every bit as good in this version read by the author.

So much fascinating information and much to think on. I know I'll listen to it another time. I rarely do this, but this really is so full of great information. Thoroughly recommend

Enjoyed the book and loved the audio version

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it was a good book but took a long time to complete. very interesting but you need to be in the right head space for it

good but tough read

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Mark Manson recently wrote : we're just monkeys in front of colourful screens. Confirmed. Very interesting book on the limitations and vulnerabilities of human psyche.

Primal instincts

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