Hoax

With his penetrating research skills, Dr. Edward Steers Jr., a seeker of truth, demolishes the most well-known hoaxes, illuminating their complex yet simple nature. A remarkable achievement, this book brings clarity to our world of misinformation that animates American culture. More than a reference, this work serves as a guide, a warning of sorts, revealing how simple it can be to fool the world. -- Joseph Garerra, Executive Director, Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum The study of archaeological hoaxes and historical frauds is a long and intriguing one, with many books, articles and academic papers having been written over the years, but Edward Steers Jr.'s masterful study of six of the best (and most famous) covers new ground in its breadth and scope. Steers takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the mind and modus operandi of the forger, detailing the many twists and turns of each fabrication, considering why they were considered necessary and what each was attempting to achieve. It is an enthralling exploration of the darker side of academic life and of the psychology of the forger. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction. -- Miles Russell Steers previously wrote the entertaining and enlightening ' Blood on the Moon, and he brings the same lively yet thoroughly researched syle to this winning volume. -- Courier-Journal By demonstrating the wide variety of historical hoaxes, from forgeries of documents to prehistoric remains, Hoax reinforces that they are a widespread problem for historians as they attempt to separate fact from fiction. -- Thomas Turner, editor of the Lincoln Herald A valuable read for anyone dealing with the problem of fabricated evidence. -- New York Military Affairs Symposium Review Steers uses his knowledge of both history and science to explore such topics as whether President Franklin Roosevelt knew the Pearl Harbor attack was coming and the background of the fraudulent Hitler diaries of 30 years ago. -- West Virginia Messenger