“Post-Truth” is what's going on when you make up your mind by instinct and not by using your brain. The Oxford Dictionary defines it as shorthand for “circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.”

Matthew D'Ancona analyses what that definition means for everyday politics, and singles out a handful of issues where he asks what happens when lies crop up and nobody bothers about them ?– When, to quote Nietzsche, “there are no facts, only interpretations”. As examples, he quotes the Trump campaign in America and the Brexit campaign here, but he also looks back to the MMR vaccination-versus-autism debate, Holocaust denial, and the controversies over “death panels” and Barack Obama's own birth certificate. In each instance, he finds “the triumph of the visceral over the rational, the deceptively simple over the honestly complex” He refers to the use of Facebook (and, I might add, the lazy use of Wikipedia), but he searches beyond the surface to what makes people embrace post-truth, and throws out lots of intriguing asides. Think of Donald Trump, he says, not as a deal-making business tycoon, but as an entertainer concerned above all with ratings. For the people born between the end of the war and the mid-1960s, he asserts, emotional sincerity is the highest virtue, higher than the pursuit of objective truth.

Behind that, D'Ancona explores the philosophical fashion of post-Modernism, which analyses a writer's use of words, “deconstructing” texts and themes to find in them the cultural or historical influences that colour the ideas. The unintended consequence of post-modernist philosophy is the devaluing of the content of a statement against its context. To those absorbing post-truth, what matters is how sincerely the speaker, writer or politician presents his claims; and if the claims back up what you already believe, then they are bound to be true. Never mind the evidence, one way or another. And if someone is foolish enough to challenge you, all you need to do is say that you're offering alternative facts. If that doesn't work, accuse your challenger of fake news.

Perhaps it's inevitable that D'Ancona's strategy for fighting post-truth is less incisive than his analysis of the problem – basically, he seems to be saying that the fight back has to be as imaginative and as emotionally resonant as the original assertions. That sounds like fighting them with their own weapons, story for story, with the risk of both sides losing sight of objective evidence-backed truth. Maybe so, but this book, along with JD Vance's Hillbilly Elegy lets daylight in to some dark corners of the post-truth world.

Nigel Melville

This book is both eye-opening and slightly terrifying. Matthew d'Ancona brings to the forefront the issue of post-truth and explains it in such a way that makes it impossible to ignore. We live in the post-truth era. Read this book and find out why.

In 2016 the Oxford English Dictionary picked Post-Truth as its word of the year, which is defined as 'circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief'.

One of the things that I loved about this book is that Matthew doesn't just give the reader a definition and explanation of what 'post-truth' is, he sets out from the very beginning past and current events that can be seen to be a result of this feeling of 'post-truth' such as the Brexit vote and Donald Trump's presidential race and election. 

d'Ancona argues that this post-truth era that we are now living in has come about, fundamentally, because of a lack of trust in traditional institutions. The 'people don't vote because they actually believe the politicians can fulfil what they promise. All politicians lie anyway' idea. This feeling, d'Ancona argues, has come from failing after failing. From the economic collapse in 2008, to the political expenses scandal in 2009 and so on (and that is only in Britain). Living in a world of complete uncertainty has meant that the value of truth has dropped to rock-bottom prices. On top of these failings the explosion of the digital age has accentuated this lack of trust and has aggravated the idea of 'post-truth'. Fake news, statistics with no basis, empty promises. All of these are symptoms of the post-truth world that we live in and have come to hold more value than the truth that is hidden behind them.

Ultimately this book is more of a diagnosis of the problem, an eye-opener for the people, rather than a finger pointer at who is to blame, because the fact is that no one person is to blame for this era that we are moving into. A combination of ingredients has led to this shift in outlook that the world is seeing today. What d'Ancona does call for is action from the people to recognise that the final straw that will lead to complete acceptance of this idea of post-truth (if it hasn't already taken place) is for the people to blindly accept everything that is put in front of them, whether they are lies, truth or something in between. The only solution is to seek truth amongst everything we are bombarded with on a daily basis. Of course there is an argument that a few post-modernists have presented. If a lie is told enough times, eventually it becomes the truth.

I really liked that this book aimed to inform the reader about the world that they are living in today without setting out a way that we should be thinking or an agenda for changing it. Simply stating facts, giving examples, in a sense revealing the truth in a world that is determined to ignore it is a really refreshing way to be presented with the kind of information that this book presents

Very interesting and, at times, worrying book. I can't say I agree with everything he wrote - I found some of his comments about religion insulting - and it hasn't changed the way I look at politics or politicians.

As I was already familiar with d'Ancona's writing from his articles in The Guardian, I had high hopes for this book. However, I don't feel like I have learned anything new after reading it - the arguments around the post-truth, fake news era we find ourselves in have already been set out by commentators/journalists/academics online. The book read as a collation of these arguments, and had an kind of 'university essay' vibe - I'm sorry to say that I didn't enjoy it, and wouldn't recommend it.

i found this book very hard going. I must admit it did send me to sleep one night so i have the author to thank for that!

First of all, thankyou so much to NetGalley for letting me have an ARC of Post-Truth by Matthew d'Ancona. It isn´t normally the type of book that I would read, and at times I struggled with finishing the chapters. Though it isn´t a large read, for me it was quite a difficult read, not because of complex language, but with the alarming information. In this modern age, where anyone has the means and opportunity to post their opinions on the internet, Post-Truth made me fear and wonder what will happen in the future with the monitoring of news and current affairs.

Though I read the news everyday, Post-Truth helped me understand further how Brexit and the results of the American election could take place. The statistics presented were quite horrifying as well as certain facts about the current US Presidency.

Though reading Post-Truth made me frightened for our future, it also inspired me to always seek the best quality news publication to get information to 'do my bit' to fit fake news.

A must-read book for anyone seeking to make sense of modern political trends, movements and the insidious devaluation of the currency of truth. D'Ancona writes well and cites impressive authorities for the arguments he marshals. Beware, though. This is is not a book simply to be read and discarded. The author urges all who value truth, rational discourse and evidence-based decision making to take up the cause of challenging fake news and 'alternative facts'. He argues that previous civilisations have perished around singular events and movements and warns that much of western civilisations' greatest achievements are under threat from a relentless tide of disinformation propagated almost instantaneously via the web to a public eager to have their fears and prejudices reinforced. This is a disturbing yet necessary read for those wishing to understand and challenge the post-truth phenomenon. Inevitably, some readers will not share some of d'Ancona's political beliefs; the strength of this book is that this does not undermine his central arguments.

Post-Truth:The New War On Truth And How To Fight Back
By Matthew D'Ancona
Post-Truth:The New War on Truth and How to Fight Back
Blurb
If the results of Brexit and the American Election left you shocked and dismayed then this is the ideal book for you.
In Post-Truth, Matthew d'Ancona discusses why truth telling the truth is losing importance in modern politics and what is behind the talk of ‘Fake News’ and ‘Post-Truth.’
Our Review
It isn’t very often that I chose to read non-fiction books but Post-Truth grabbed my attention. If the results of Brexit and the American Election left you shocked and dismayed then this is the ideal book for you.
Matthew d’Ancona is an award winning political columnist and that shows in his humorous and in-depth analysis of modern politics.
“Welcome to the Post-Truth era – a time in which the art of the lie is shaking the very foundations of democracy.”
In Post-Truth Matthew d’Ancona talks about his surprise when Trump won the American election and the lack of surprise his two teenage sons had felt when they learnt the result. It got him thinking about why this was and this book is a result of that.
“Inescapably, Trump stalks the pages of this book like an orange panther. But he is not its prime subject. Nor is this a book about the Far Right, or any particular ideology. It is quite straight forward to imagine a Left-Wing counterpart to Trump surging into power on a wave of falsehood and phony populism. The problem lies deeper.”
In Post-Truth, he discusses why truth telling the truth is losing importance in modern politics and what is behind the talk of ‘Fake News’ and ‘Post-Truth.’
“As we shall see, the pressures bearing down upon truth today are more complex, dispersed and insidious. But they are also more unsettling precisely because they do not emanate from an identifiable Big Brother or Goebbels or Izvestia. There is no single statue to bring crashing to the ground.
This is another reason why it is so important to see Trump as a consequence rather than cause.”
According to d’Ancona 2016 was the year of post-truth. Post-truth society is defined by “political and intellectual combat, in which democratic orthodoxies and institutions are being shaken to their foundations by a wave of ugly populism.
Rationality is threatened by emotion, diversity by nativism, liberty by a drift towards autocracy. More than ever, the practice of politics is perceived as a zero-sum gamer rather than a contest between ideas. Science is treated with suspicion and, sometimes, open contempt.”
He discusses the ways in which the internet has had the less than desirable effect of making it easier for lies and rumours to be classed as facts and for people’s emotions and personal beliefs to take precedence over the truth.
In Post-Truth d’Ancona discusses this phenomenon and what we can do to combat the flow of Post-Truth and Fake News.

There are more eloquent review about this book on the site, so I will limit my comments to saying I found the book interesting. I also believe that the distortion of truth is mainly down to the media. They make up stories which they then allude to sources! The old adage that journalists never let the truth spoil a good story is very true.

This was a bad choice of book for me. Not in any way my usual reading material however I thought I would be able to read it. Ivevmade several attempts but I can't grasp it at all will keep tryng tho.

This review is written with thanks to Ebury Publishing and Netgalley for my copy of Post Truth: The New War On Truth And How To Fight Back.
In recent years, the political climate has changed. With each new campaign, it is evident that the electorate is no longer reliant on facts to make their choice as to who to vote for, but they want candidates who appeal to their emotions. This can be seen in the election of Donald Trump in the USA and the Brexit vote in the UK. What does this mean for politics and how can we fight against it?
Post Truth: The New War On Truth And How To Fight Back is extremely topical. As I write this review, Theresa May is presenting her Queen's Speech, which will enable her to form a government with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party, following an election campaign that focused on each party's plans to negotiate Brexit - a political issue that features heavily in this book. I found parts of it particularly eye opening, and whilst I personally do not support the Brexit campaign, it did help me to understand how the Brexit supporters, and some of the candidates in yesterday's election, had gained the interest of the public and attracted voters.
I come from a very political background, and as such, I have an interest in politics, although I have never studied the subject academically. D'Ancona uses a lot of examples which a reader who doesn't profess to be an expert will recognise, and for the most part, his explanations are accessible. However, there were elements of the book which were beyond my frame of reference.
Post Truth: The New War On Truth And How To Fight Back is outside of my usual genre. It provided me with an alternative angle to the current political climate which I had not previously considered, and on the whole, I found it interesting. However, it would probably be better enjoyed by someone with a more academic interest in politics.

What is this thing called ‘truth’? Is it really ‘out there’?

As with all abstract notions, the answer to the question posed above could bring forth as many variants as there are offers: each to his own. A quick look on the web will tell you that ‘truth’ is ‘that which is commonly accepted as being true’, or ‘in accordance with fact or reality’: not much help there then! And herein lies the problem: based on those definitions there is no way that my truth is the same as your truth. Our experience of the world is filtered through our own unique experience of the world; so, my reality is different from yours. No surprise then that, for example, when asked by police to provide witness statements of the same crime scene, there are as many versions as there are witnesses. So, if there is a world out there, external to ourselves, and not just a mental construct created within the black box of our brains, discovering the ‘truth’ about it is an issue of epistemology rather than ontology.

The above should, of course, be perfectly obvious. Otherwise the world would be a totally boring place full of automaton-like Stepford inhabitants, never disagreeing. However, there are a few things we should all be able to agree are true: e.g. one and one make two. But, we live in an uncertain world! d’Ancona traces the development of our existential woes, from the replacement of Newtonian science’s world view that guaranteed certainty and predictability by the chance and randomness of Quantum Theory, right up to the global public’s disenchantment with the excesses of capitalism, in the form of ‘greedy bankers’, taxing-avoiding global corporations and governments grown distant from the cares and concerns of their respective electorates, to the advent of a rejection of all that supported that ruling elite; i.e. globalization, free markets and supranational mega deals. All of which have resulted in a desire to retreat into isolationism, protectionism and political chancers promising new Heavens and New Earths; appealing to those basic fears, in the most basic ways: a respect for truth, D’Ancona claims, has been one of the first victims.

Perhaps, it’s a question of hedging our bets. Perhaps, when asked the question; ‘are you telling the truth?’ we can only answer – like a weather forecaster; ‘well, based on the evidence at my disposal, there is a 71% chance of veracity’.

The truths are out there - somewhere: but be careful which you choose!

This book is astonishingly perceptive and measured. The author is not crying doom,he is pointing out how change has affected the way we think and alerting us to how we can handle it all. Apart, from not liking Trump very much, his arguments are balanced and thoughtful. He draws on previous thinking in a careful and balanced way. This book should be required reading for as many people as possible in order to stem misunderstandings and kill off misleading information.

This book looks at the rise of fake news in modern society and seeks to analyse the rise of this phenomena The book explores the ways how the concept of truth and truth telling have been belittled in modern society. The author bemoans the ways in which scientific knowledge and expertise have been discredited by powerful political and business interests. He uses; the Brexit campaign, the Trump campaign, Global warming sceptics, holocaust deniers and those spreading fear over vaccinations to build his case. He argues that these campaigns have been based on a disregarding of truth, and scientific fact, and an exploitation of emotional rhetoric. The author argues that these stories have gained wings with the advent of social media. This is an interesting and topical work that needs to be read.

It is interesting and it pulls many strands together to present a very structured argument.

It feels slightly marginal and feels like it pussyfoots around the main subject

Still this will make you think although for people of the left they may feel they have already considered this

A shocking, timely, clever but ultimately hopeful book from one of my favourite political writers. The author takes the reader through a history of post-truth which shows it's not a recent phenomena. Found particularly interesting the chapter linking postmodernism to post-truth culture. Highly recommended

I do try and take more interest in politics, hence upon my decision to read 'Post-Truth'. Especially so since the Brexit referendum and to which I did vote to leave.

Whether I agreed with all what was written in the book or not, this was a very interesting book. It did give me things to think about. I have always known about fake news, half truths and spin and therefore I stopped trusting any Politician, Advisors and the Media a long time ago.

I do recommend this well written and informative book.

Well this is a insightful book of the present age. I should start by stating I have 2 big differences with the author Matthew, first I voted for Briexit and my views on faith. But to allow these to hinder my reading and agreement with the book would be a great shame. I think that Matthews take and writing on our present age is spot on in so many ways and the fact that we follow that which fits our ideas rather than the truth is there far all to see. The truth becomes what we believe rather than the true truth.
This book is both insightful and challenging and I really recommend it to you, you need a open mind which is truly hard for many to be but if you do then this can be a stepping stone in your life to make a real difference in the society around you. The society around you is that which is where you devote your time and energy and no longer defined by land borders as social media testifies to but more to do with those whom you interact with the most and can be from anywhere on earth. Read it I dare you.

Your political viewpoint will absolutely effect how you feel about this book.

Personally, I have always found it shocking that so many people expect politicians to lie. Every conversation I have had at work about the upcoming UK general election has revolved around 'well they all tell lies anyway' and it makes me really sad that politics has come into this horrific era of 'fake news' and 'alternative facts'.

This is a well written, seemingly well researched collection of essays surrounding this weird age we are currently in and I enjoyed reading it.
There is an incredibly interesting piece on how social media and technology in general has led to Holocaust denial and antisemitism being far more normalised.

I read this in relation to Brexit, which I voted against and still very much wish wasn't happening, and it was very relevant. There is a section talking about how facts aren't enough in politics any more and that couldn't be more accurate. I still can't stop thinking about that stupid bus claiming that £350million a week would be going to the NHS and the fact that their budget has since been cut.

This book of essays is enlightening, academically researched and incredibly timely. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in politics and think it would be a good starting point for people who want to become more involved but don't really understand it.