Cheating and Deception

by J. Bowyer Bell, Barton Whaley

Cheating and deception are terms often used but rarely defined. They summon up unpleasant connotations; even those deeply involved with cheating and deception rationalize why they have been driven to it. Particularly for Americans and much of Western civilization, official cheating, government duplicity, cheating as policy, and conscious, contrived deception, are all unacceptable except as a last resort in response to threat of extinction. As a distasteful tool, deception is rarely used to achieve national interests, unless in relation to the deployment of military force. As an area of study, it has by and large been ignored.Intrigued by attitudes toward cheating and deception, the authors decided to analyze its roots, structure, and process. They asked fundamental questions: are there categories of deception, general steps in the process of deception, and ways to evaluate its results across time and in different modes? The book that results is a typology of kinds of deception, beginning with military deception, but extending into other categories and stages.In his introduction to this new edition, Bell outlines how the book came to be written, describes the mixed emotions toward the subject displayed by govenmental and nongovernmental funding sources, and speculates about its critical and commercial reception. He discusses widespread new interest in the subject, the research that has been undertaken since this book was first published, and its limitations.This book provides a general overview of this complex subject, creating a framework for analysis of specific instances of cheating or deception. It will be of particular interest to political scientists, those interested in military affairs and strategy, and psychologists. The general reader will find the book written with a light touch, drawing examples of cheating and deception in the pursuit of love and money. The specialist reader will be intrigued by its broad-ranging examples drawn from policy and politics, wars and rumors of wars.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Espionage

380 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Daughter of Paper and Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preface

A interesting book that looks into the reach of cheating and deception. The author raises good questions along his study: how come deception and cheating are not more well researched given their wide spread presence in society?

Turn out there is something to do with our heroic lore and expectations.

I was captivated by the topic by thinking of the big ways of cheating ex; cheating someone of their life, hiding deception to hurt a loved one, etc… I was looking for answers to why that is, thinking myself as someone who could never engaged in that type of deception - or any deception at all.

I was disrobed of that notion when the author mentioned a “sleigh” of hand on a card came. I have used deception more than once if you mention them. The rules and research is well-thought out. There is a historical aspect and psychological approach to his writing I appreciated.

It was a good way to end 2023.

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Ratings

Knowledge: 3.5 📜📜📜💫 A great amount of knowledge
Complexity: 1 🧘🏼‍♀️ A bit complex.
Interest: 4.5 🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️💫 A big lake of interest
Overall star rating : 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Excellent, great overall enjoyment.

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🚨🚨🚨MILD SPOILERS 🚨🚨🚨

The Chapters:

▪️ The Prevalence of Guile: The Ruses of War
Covers what seems to be a humankind long struggles between force vs. deceit. Civilizations have gone back and forth to which they favor depending on their power and reach.
"Never attempt to win by force" what he "was able to win by fraud."

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RTC currently on a trip.