Description: Lies We Live By shows what to look for behind the double talk; but most importantly it offers ways to fight back. Media expert Carl Hausman takes a hard look at the business of deception, an industry that is growing at an alarming rate. Showing readers how to spot potentially false claims he offers advice about what we can do to stop them, with an annotated list of publications, individuals, and organizations dedicated to preventing the spread of misleading information. Following are a few juicy excerpts:

How To Watch TV News
-- When news people want to make someone look guilty, they shine the camera lights directly at the person's face.

How To Make Sense Out of A Poll
-- You can literally reverse the percentage of "yes" replies by taking a question like "Do you favor increasing veterans' benefits even though it means raising taxes?" versus "Do you favor raising taxes to pay for an increase in veterans' benefits?" 75% will favor yes to the first question and 25% will favor yes to the second question.

How To Detect Propaganda
-- Name-calling is used as a device to reinforce the message. Note, for example, whether the messenger uses words like "terrorist" or "freedom fighter."

How To Short-Circuit Somebody Who's Trying To Bamboozle You on the Phone
-- When the sales pitch gets too intense, ask for the details in writing. Tell the caller you don't do business with anybody who can't afford paper.

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