Truth : A History and a Guide for the Perplexed

Written by a renowned Oxford historian, this fascinating volume presents a global history of truth. Sharp and authoritative, Truth manages to touch every period of human experience; it leaps from truth-telling technologies of "primitive" societies to the private mental worlds of great philosophers; from spiritualism to science and from New York to New Guinea. In clear, lucid prose, this little book takes on an enormous subject and makes it understandable to anyone.

“[Fernandez-Armesto's] interesting and challenging book takes us on a whirlwind guided tour of human thought.” —The New York Times Book Review

“In this energetic study...the author reaches beyond academe with crisp prose complemented by numerous whisical touches . . . Truth is a beacon of lucidity.” —Boston Globe

“Although serious in his intentions, Fernandez-Armesto writes with a light touch, ranging widely over the fields of anthropology, history and philosophy...very timely and eminently readable.” —Los Angeles Times

“Sharp and interesting . . . [The author is] bound to engage speicalists in the fields he sprints through.” —New Statesman