Talk to Ted
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REVIEWS
"Incisive history of lies and misinformation, and a call to action."
"The title of Griffith’s rousing treatise introduces the book’s central metaphor and argument: that a powerful “theater of lies” has corrupted contemporary life, distracting us, stressing us out, encouraging our biases and hatreds, diminishing trust in institutions and expertise, even—with hate crimes and science denialism—killing us. For Griffith, the “theater” is key to the lies’ success, and he makes a persuasive case for mis- and disinformation as deliberately crafted narratives in the Aristotelian and Hollywood traditions, with story hooks and villains chosen to grip the minds of target audiences. His analysis of the beats of Die Hard, and how they reflect the techniques of media propagandists, is especially illuminating. “The Theater of Lies is a provider of addictive substance,” he writes. “We, the audience, keep demanding more.”
Theater of Lies urges individuals and institutions to demand and defend something else: truth. Griffith opens with a sweeping—perhaps too much so—history of lies and the manipulation of the public, stretching back to the Garden of Eden, the origins of race as a concept, and Kipling’s insistence on a “white man’s burden.” This material is impassioned and sometimes illuminating, but the discussions are brief for such epochal subjects. More immediately compelling are examples from recent decades, mostly from the U.S. and Canada and many fresh accounts of events readers might not know about, showcasing how “purpose-driven lies and misinformation are produced, staged, and presented.”
With sharp insights, clear and inviting prose, and an upbeat belief in humanity’s capacity to do better, Griffith lays bare the craft and reach of those who lie for profit and power and the failures of mind that inspire their targets not just to believe propaganda but to spread it. Refreshingly, he seems unconcerned with being accused of bias when discussing, say, the “wrecking ball” that is Donald Trump. Instead, he models the healthy habits of thinking and analysis that he urges readers toward in the book’s last third, which encourages standing up for truth, acknowledging one’s own assumptions, and rebuilding trust.
- BOOKLIFE.COM, by Publisher's Weeky April 2024
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“The author aims to expose the mechanics of propaganda—the manner in which it plays upon the emotional needs of its audience and uses sophistry that superficially mimics the truth—and to examine the susceptibility of those who fall prey to it. The true danger is not so much the propagandists themselves, Griffith asserts, but rather those who repeat and spread their untruths, which launders the falsehoods and reclothes them in the garb of respectability. This astute insight is the principal strength.”
- KIRKUS REVIEWS, April 2024
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“This book will resonate with readers drawn to thought-provoking literature and those who appreciate a blend of historical, philosophical, psychological, and theatrical discussions. It challenges conventional thinking and offers a perspective that could significantly alter one’s view of the world. Particularly recommended for individuals passionate about freedom, human rights, and independent thought, Theater of Lies emerges as a crucial read in an era dominated by brief attention spans, overwhelming social media influence, and pervasive propaganda... a work that not only informs but also enriches the reader’s understanding of the world.”
- LITERARY TITAN (4 of 5 STARS), April 2024
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"The book’s compelling discussion is divided into three 'acts,' covering the historical context and tactical strategies underpinning modern propaganda and lies; the consequences of allowing lies to spread unchecked; and methods people can use to counteract the lies that dominate multiple aspects of daily life, like learning to recognize and 'park' one’s own bias. Contending that it is impossible to avoid lies, the book says that it is possible to learn how to discern what is true, to recognize what a liar’s real agenda is, and to respond in an effective manner to false information. For all of the time that the book spends on the depressing variety of misinformation available, it also ends with the reassurance that a better, more thoughtful tomorrow is within humanity’s power to build. Theater of Lies issues an urgent call to action, asking its audience to combat malicious propaganda and prevent its sometimes-fatal consequences.”
- FOREWARD CLARION (4 of 5 STARS), April 2024
~
“From the ancient rhetoricians to Donald Trump, the political reality is that ‘Pathos is power’, says reviewer Martin Cohen, calling Theater of Lies, ‘a more unusual and original survey of contemporary American political, business and media strategies’ and ‘worth the read’. . Griffith puts his finger on one key point when he says that it is not so much the people who invent narratives, as those who repeat them trustingly, who are more dangerous.”
-REEDSY.COM (3 of 5 STARS), April 2024
"Ted Griffith is a truth warrior. In Theater of Lies, he raises important ideas about how all of us, everywhere, have been drawn into a world where, more and more, facts take a back seat to falsehoods. Relying on his deep and wide experience as a professional communicator, he traces how we have descended into this mirror-world, offering insights into how we can learn to escape and recover. His book is a significant milestone in the slow struggle to rebuild a society where truth still matters."
- David Israelson, Writer and Journalist
~
"Griffith artfully untangles the strings of deception and lies which are twisting media, society, and democracy into a macabre dance of manufactured division. Trust me. You won’t believe your eyes."
- Eric Meerkamper, Co-Founder, Centre for Social Innovation
~
"Author Ted Griffith expertly portrays the world as a literal Theater of Lies populated by villains who not only arise from the stage as producers of lies and misinformation, but also from the audience. These audience members believe the propagandists’ lies and repeat them to others. Worse, some members of the audience possess an irresistible need to become part of the actual play’s production, which can have deadly results as it did on January 6th, 2021. But fortunately, Griffith perceives a fourth group, the heroes who also emerge from the audience. The heroes are the ones brave enough to not only question the beliefs of the other three groups of actors but also their own beliefs. The real strength of the book is that Griffith explains how we can nurture these heroes, grow their numbers and provide them the tools necessary to defeat these lies and misinformation that threaten society’s very existence."
- Tom Johnson, Amon G. Carter Centennial Professor, School of Journalism and Media, University of Texas at Austin
~
"The title of Griffith’s rousing treatise introduces the book’s central metaphor and argument: that a powerful “theater of lies” has corrupted contemporary life, distracting us, stressing us out, encouraging our biases and hatreds, diminishing trust in institutions and expertise, even—with hate crimes and science denialism—killing us. For Griffith, the “theater” is key to the lies’ success, and he makes a persuasive case for mis- and disinformation as deliberately crafted narratives in the Aristotelian and Hollywood traditions, with story hooks and villains chosen to grip the minds of target audiences. His analysis of the beats of Die Hard, and how they reflect the techniques of media propagandists, is especially illuminating. “The Theater of Lies is a provider of addictive substance,” he writes. “We, the audience, keep demanding more.”
Theater of Lies urges individuals and institutions to demand and defend something else: truth. Griffith opens with a sweeping—perhaps too much so—history of lies and the manipulation of the public, stretching back to the Garden of Eden, the origins of race as a concept, and Kipling’s insistence on a “white man’s burden.” This material is impassioned and sometimes illuminating, but the discussions are brief for such epochal subjects. More immediately compelling are examples from recent decades, mostly from the U.S. and Canada and many fresh accounts of events readers might not know about, showcasing how “purpose-driven lies and misinformation are produced, staged, and presented.”
With sharp insights, clear and inviting prose, and an upbeat belief in humanity’s capacity to do better, Griffith lays bare the craft and reach of those who lie for profit and power and the failures of mind that inspire their targets not just to believe propaganda but to spread it. Refreshingly, he seems unconcerned with being accused of bias when discussing, say, the “wrecking ball” that is Donald Trump. Instead, he models the healthy habits of thinking and analysis that he urges readers toward in the book’s last third, which encourages standing up for truth, acknowledging one’s own assumptions, and rebuilding trust.
- BOOKLIFE.COM, by Publisher's Weeky April 2024
~
“The author aims to expose the mechanics of propaganda—the manner in which it plays upon the emotional needs of its audience and uses sophistry that superficially mimics the truth—and to examine the susceptibility of those who fall prey to it. The true danger is not so much the propagandists themselves, Griffith asserts, but rather those who repeat and spread their untruths, which launders the falsehoods and reclothes them in the garb of respectability. This astute insight is the principal strength.”
- KIRKUS REVIEWS, April 2024
~
“This book will resonate with readers drawn to thought-provoking literature and those who appreciate a blend of historical, philosophical, psychological, and theatrical discussions. It challenges conventional thinking and offers a perspective that could significantly alter one’s view of the world. Particularly recommended for individuals passionate about freedom, human rights, and independent thought, Theater of Lies emerges as a crucial read in an era dominated by brief attention spans, overwhelming social media influence, and pervasive propaganda... a work that not only informs but also enriches the reader’s understanding of the world.”
- LITERARY TITAN (4 of 5 STARS), April 2024
~
"The book’s compelling discussion is divided into three 'acts,' covering the historical context and tactical strategies underpinning modern propaganda and lies; the consequences of allowing lies to spread unchecked; and methods people can use to counteract the lies that dominate multiple aspects of daily life, like learning to recognize and 'park' one’s own bias. Contending that it is impossible to avoid lies, the book says that it is possible to learn how to discern what is true, to recognize what a liar’s real agenda is, and to respond in an effective manner to false information. For all of the time that the book spends on the depressing variety of misinformation available, it also ends with the reassurance that a better, more thoughtful tomorrow is within humanity’s power to build. Theater of Lies issues an urgent call to action, asking its audience to combat malicious propaganda and prevent its sometimes-fatal consequences.”
- FOREWARD CLARION (4 of 5 STARS), April 2024
~
“From the ancient rhetoricians to Donald Trump, the political reality is that ‘Pathos is power’, says reviewer Martin Cohen, calling Theater of Lies, ‘a more unusual and original survey of contemporary American political, business and media strategies’ and ‘worth the read’. . Griffith puts his finger on one key point when he says that it is not so much the people who invent narratives, as those who repeat them trustingly, who are more dangerous.”
-REEDSY.COM (3 of 5 STARS), April 2024
"Ted Griffith is a truth warrior. In Theater of Lies, he raises important ideas about how all of us, everywhere, have been drawn into a world where, more and more, facts take a back seat to falsehoods. Relying on his deep and wide experience as a professional communicator, he traces how we have descended into this mirror-world, offering insights into how we can learn to escape and recover. His book is a significant milestone in the slow struggle to rebuild a society where truth still matters."
- David Israelson, Writer and Journalist
~
"Griffith artfully untangles the strings of deception and lies which are twisting media, society, and democracy into a macabre dance of manufactured division. Trust me. You won’t believe your eyes."
- Eric Meerkamper, Co-Founder, Centre for Social Innovation
~
"Author Ted Griffith expertly portrays the world as a literal Theater of Lies populated by villains who not only arise from the stage as producers of lies and misinformation, but also from the audience. These audience members believe the propagandists’ lies and repeat them to others. Worse, some members of the audience possess an irresistible need to become part of the actual play’s production, which can have deadly results as it did on January 6th, 2021. But fortunately, Griffith perceives a fourth group, the heroes who also emerge from the audience. The heroes are the ones brave enough to not only question the beliefs of the other three groups of actors but also their own beliefs. The real strength of the book is that Griffith explains how we can nurture these heroes, grow their numbers and provide them the tools necessary to defeat these lies and misinformation that threaten society’s very existence."
- Tom Johnson, Amon G. Carter Centennial Professor, School of Journalism and Media, University of Texas at Austin
~
TED GRIFFITH
Ted Griffith is a 40-year communications and public affairs professional who has helped senior executives in business, government, politics, media, and non-profits to deliver persuasive messages. As president of The Fixers Group, his team has managed issues in such sectors as energy, water and wastewater, healthcare, municipal and provincial governments, agriculture, finance, mining, and retail. The firm is committed to bringing the art and science persuasion to their clients’ communications.
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