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  • The Confidence Game

  • The Psychology of the Con and Why We Fall for It Every Time
  • By: Maria Konnikova
  • Narrated by: Maria Konnikova
  • Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (176 ratings)
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The Confidence Game cover art

The Confidence Game

By: Maria Konnikova
Narrated by: Maria Konnikova
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Summary

Con men are artists of persuasion and exploiters of trust. They hold a deep, enigmatic fascination for us. But how do they do it? Whether it's a suspicious-looking email or a multimillion-dollar global swindle, Maria Konnikova investigates the psychological principles that underlie each stage of the confidence game and the profile of both the con artist and his mark.

We learn how grifters can be so persuasive, even to those of us who consider ourselves immune, and how we can train ourselves to discern the signs of a story that isn't quite what it seems.

Insightful and entertaining, telling fascinating stories about some of the most seductive imposters in history, The Confidence Game takes us into the world of the con to examine not only why we believe in confidence artists but how our sense of truth can be manipulated by those around us.

©2016 Maria Konnikova (P)2015 Canongate Books Ltd

What listeners say about The Confidence Game

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

if you buy you got conned

Boring bunch of anecdotes of people who got conned.
The worst is narration. She sounds as if she was reading a romantic evening story and at the same time had a problem with too much saliva.

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30 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Book of anecdotes about con-artists

This is nothing more and nothing less than a book with anecdotes about con-artists. There is some discussion of the psychological mechanisms underlying the tricks, but the discussion and critical analysis is light.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great book

will read again, could have been improved with a professional reader. But the content is excellent, good information, well presented.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Everyone should read this book

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Should be required reading for everyone and particularly young people, domestic violence victims, abuse victims, anyone in any religious organisation, anyone working for a company with a strong corporate culture, anyone who has a particularly charismatic boss or colleague, people studying sociopathy, psychopathy, narcissistic personality disorder.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great book for anyone who wants to understand con

Great story for self realisation! A bit on a scary side. grear examples mixed with science behind the confidense game.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

good but tough read

it was a good book but took a long time to complete. very interesting but you need to be in the right head space for it

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Good basis, too long.

Really struggled to finish this book, love the subject. Equally watching the hustle would do.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting and enjoyable listen

An enjoyable, well researched and presented book full of interesting stories that help to bring to life the key themes. Entertaining and thought provoking !

The audio book benefits from the author's own narration although some may find the delivery a little flat / expressionless.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Primal instincts

Mark Manson recently wrote : we're just monkeys in front of colourful screens. Confirmed. Very interesting book on the limitations and vulnerabilities of human psyche.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed the book and loved the audio version

I wanted to re-read this book and it was every bit as good in this version read by the author.

So much fascinating information and much to think on. I know I'll listen to it another time. I rarely do this, but this really is so full of great information. Thoroughly recommend

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1 person found this helpful