While researching his previous book, The Fox Effect, co-written with David Brock, Ari Rabin-Havt, host of Sirius Radio's The Agenda, repeatedly questioned the origins of what he sees as lies and propaganda filtering through Fox News. As he argues, "Lies do not simply appear and take hold. They must be developed, introduced, and nurtured into the public discourse." Rabin-Havt's research into various falsehoods indicated the existence of a profitable industry doing just that on behalf of those willing to pay for it. He called this business Lies, Incorporated. Bestowing the name on his book, Rabin-Havt examines the origins of some of the most significant deceptions muddying the current political waters.
Through meticulous examinations of issues such as climate change, immigration reform and gun control--issues where scientists and other researchers have publicly debunked the lies preventing progress, lies that continue to cling to the important conversations and debates--Rabin-Havt theorizes that Lies, Incorporated is a result of "a political culture where ideological victory, not progress, is the ultimate goal. Where what is good for my country plays second fiddle to what is good for the bottom line of my clients."
Well-researched and documented, Lies, Incorporated presents hot button topics with diplomacy and tact. It won't likely convince every reader to relinquish the stronghold on their ideologies--Rabin-Havt himself says, "it is far easier to ignore the truth than to confront the failure of your argument"--but it is convincing motivation to scrutinize closely the evidence on which one's beliefs are based beliefs and hold the political media accountable for reporting practices. --Jen Forbus of Jen's Book Thoughts