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Book details
  • Genre:FICTION
  • SubGenre:Literary
  • Language:English
  • Pages:348
  • eBook ISBN:9798350940534
  • Paperback ISBN:9798350940527

Selling Lies

The Story of the Greatest Lie Ever Told

by W. H. Clemons

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Overview

"Selling Lies" is a story of the greatest lie ever told and the survival of truth in America. The setting is the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in the year 2036, shortly after Congress has decriminalized all forms of lying. An ambitious salesman convinces a respected U. S. Senator to launch the greatest lie ever told, which brings America to the brink of civil war. While the salesman strives to keep the tormented senator from confessing the lie, he also tries to make a female lawyer fall in love with him despite her rejection of lies as a social norm. Can the breakup of America be prevented, or does society continue to descend into an abyss of lies? Watch YouTube video

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Description

What happens to a society when lying becomes as common as breathing and is no longer considered wrong? "Selling Lies" describes such a world where lying has become morally acceptable behavior. This is a tale of political intrigue, daring risks, media deception, legendary romance, and hope for redemption. To mirror society's acceptance of lying, lawmakers have passed the necessary legislation to reflect lying as a new social norm. Now anyone can misrepresent, counterfeit, defraud, libel, or forge legally in a myriad of ways. Busy, every-day Americans can now lie without any consequences as the elite have for eons. The public is able to purchase tailor-made lies and reasonably outsource their execution to expert liars. The world's newest product craze hits the market: manufactured lies. An adventurous young salesman enters the promising industry of selling lies. Using the truths embedded in the myths of ancient Greece, he argues in his sales pitch that Western Civilization owes its laws and political structure to the great ancient Greek thinkers who were immersed in a society of lies - of myths. Furthermore, he argues that the tenants of truth, justice and equality were propelled through the ages with the help of lies and myths. While trying to convince a brilliant young lawyer of the merits of lying and to encourage her to join the rest of society in normalizing the behavior, he uses the romance found in the most amorous Greek myths to try also to convince her to fall in love with him. She, on the other hand, staunchly refutes lying as a new social norm. While successfully resisting the immense pressure from family, friends and society to no longer consider lying as morally wrong, she struggles to avoid falling in love with this man who is in the business of selling lies. As their relationship progresses, the couple develops a penchant for challenging each other to share in daring, uncalculated risks. With the world around her slipping into total dishonesty, she takes comfort in her only trustworthy friend remaining, her golden retriever "Flirt." Meanwhile, the ambitious salesman convinces a respected United States Senator to launch the greatest lie ever told. Rationalizing the social good the lie will do, the senator agrees – for a price. Still remembering just one generation ago when lying was considered unethical, the senator is emotionally tormented by the enormous lie he has told for a noble cause at the expense of his loved ones' trust. He is astonished, however, when the supposed beneficial lie he has unleashed instead brings America to the brink of civil war. A media concerned more with profits than veracity spreads the lie with such conviction that soon the whole world is conned and America is thrown into anarchy. Like an incurable virus, nothing seems capable of stopping the lie from destroying America as hatred consumes the nation. Only as the story concludes do the lawyer, salesman, and senator uncover the intertwining relationships among themselves and the lie. Do their choices avert the breakup of America, or does society continue to descend into an abyss of lies?

Selling Lies includes a glossary of over sixty gods, goddesses, and other characters from Greek mythology. This bonus material provides the reader with immediate access to their immortal legends. The glossary explains not only how these myths are relevant to the novel, but also how these timeless stories have influenced civilization for over two millennia.

About the author
Bill Clemons earned his undergraduate degree in business from Washington and Lee University in Virginia and his MBA from the University of Houston. He made his career as an energy commodities trader. He also worked to privatize the marketing of NASA's Space Shuttles and Station. With the assistance of his highly trained golden retriever Dickens, he traveled nationwide to ease the trauma of thousands of natural disaster victims, first responders, and relief workers. He and Dickens also worked in hundreds of therapy sessions to treat sexually abused children, battered women, as well as teenage girls recovering from human trafficking. They also worked with hundreds of cancer patients and with preschoolers learning their first reading skills. Bill is an avid canoer and mountain climber.

Book Reviews

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Russell
Selling Lies One of the best fiction books I've read in a long time. It will keep you on the edge of your seat to the last page! W.H. Clemons is a creative and compelling author. Buy this book! Read more
Doug
Selling Lies Kalifornia! (You'll just have to read the book...) Excellently written and a very thoughtful story, Unfortunately it comes very close to today even though it's written in the future. There are some novel ideas and creative solutions proposed to one of our most vexing problems. The Authors links between ancient mythology and modern government are very intriguing and subtly deliver a warning to the reader of our own future if we allow it to proceed unchecked. In the end it is an enjoyable read and a story full of hope for the future. Read more
Brad
Selling Lies This book by WH Clemons, while fiction, paints a vivid picture of the political scene of America and many other countries today. It also suggests in a very creative sort of way that society has bought into the idea that lies are just part of life. What makes this book so intriguing to me is that the author conceived the idea and plot several years ago, long before the corruption on today’s scene was exposed. The book is an easy read, captivating from beginning to end. The author weaves several stories within the book to keep the audience engrossed in what is going to happen next! Well done, and I highly recommend « Selling Lies »! Read more
Debbie
Selling Lies Wow, this book is fabulous! It takes place in the future, 2036, when selling lies becomes a new social norm in the United States. It is a thrilling story with plenty of suspense, political issues, Greek mythology, and romance. It is a book that I couldn't put down. I highly recommend it! Read more
Patty
Selling Lies Selling Lies is an intriguing, well-written and entertaining look at what might happen if lying were to become legal in all cases (such as in a fraud) and socially acceptable - even more than it already is. It uses the literature of mythology to show how lies have been used since civilization began to create narratives for good and malevolent purposes. The protagonist (Rob) has found himself selling lies (some might call it marketing) to enable buyers of these well-crafted lies to promote their products or agenda. Rob meets and woos a young lawyer named Laura (the 2nd protagonist in the story) who is staunchly opposed to the lack of honesty in the culture. Rob tries to justify his profession of selling lies to Laura by weaving the history of mythology into his conversation to explain how lying has always pervaded human culture and has positive uses. The story includes intrigue, a vicious boss, a troubled Senator and romance. Laura's dog is a golden retriever - a character in the story who symbolizes trust and loyalty, and from whom we could all learn. Read more
Julia
Selling Lies Selling Lies is a fascinating novel of suspense, romance and political intrigue. It is a very timely book considering current events. The classical references from Greek mythology add an intriguing piquancy to the story. A terrific read! Read more
Carolyn
Worthwhile Read The premise of this book is really interesting and timely, given the current world we live in. It’s set in the near future but is definitely believable and a little concerning. I found it a very enjoyable read but also very thought provoking. If you are the kind of person who enjoys philosophical debates, I think you will definitely like this. There is quite a bit of discussion and references to Greek Mythology and how some of those same concepts are woven into our culture and history. But it is also a captivating story with some fun twists. If you are open to learning a little bit, then you definitely want to get this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Read more
W.C.
Selling Lies Selling Lies has a thrilling premise - very original. (I won't spoil it for other readers.) The story is a fascinating blend of romance and suspense interwoven with a startling view of the near future in America. I enjoyed this book thoroughly. Read more