The 10 Wildest Hoaxes and Why We Fell for Them

A good hoax doesn’t need geniuses or villains - it needs timing, trust, and a story that slides neatly into the gaps in what we already believe.

From Victorian ＂scoops＂ and fossil frauds to broadcast pranks, academic embarrassments, breaking-news frenzies and viral panics, The 10 Wildest Hoaxes and Why We Fell For Them is a brisk, humane tour of the moments when the world leaned in... and got gently (or spectacularly) taken for a ride. Crispin Harrowell doesn’t sneer at the victims or romanticise the tricksters. He’s interested in the machinery: the authority cues that switch our brains to autopilot, the pressure of exclusivity, the comfort of a beautiful lie, and the quiet incentives that turn a rumour into a headline.

You’ll come away with a steadier eye for ＂exclusive＂ claims, a simple way to weigh evidence quickly, and a practical, non-awkward approach to talking with someone who shared something false - without turning it into a fight.

Readable, lightly wry, and designed for busy brains.

Open it. Enjoy the stories. Keep your footing next time the internet shouts.