It's a fact: we all lie. And we lie a lot - two to three times in a ten-minute conversation is the average, as Robert S Feldman, one of the world's leading authorities on deception, shows in this groundbreaking book.

From the 'white lies' of social niceties ('It's so nice to see you') to lies told with intent ('I promise to give you 20% of the total funds transferred to your vital bank account'), deception and dishonesty play a huge - and crucial - role in our society at every level, from the school yard ('I didn't do it!') to the halls of government ('Iraq could launch weapons of mass destruction in 45 minutes'). Feldman draws on numerous examples from real life as well as research into deception to reveal why.

You'll discover the truth about lying - why we all do it, what it costs us, how children learn to lie, who it benefits, why we're so often ready to accept the lies we're told, and how it can both succeed in helping us and fail with catastrophic results. You'll also learn to recognise the lies you yourself tell, and in doing so how you can embrace a more honest approach to life.

It's an intriguing look at a major force in our lives - the everyday deception in which we all participate. Because anyone who says they always tell the truth is a liar.