Who Killed Truth?

A History of Evidence

By: Jill Lepore

Narrated by: Jill Lepore

Many historians and cultural observers argue we live in a post-truth world—but if truth is dead, who killed it? And how did it die? Join celebrated historian Jill Lepore as she cracks the case by examining key moments in the history of truth, doubt, and evidence across the last century.

In Who Killed Truth? acclaimed Harvard historian and New Yorker staff writer Jill Lepore traces the origins of our current post-truth crisis. In a series of spellbinding stories, Lepore investigates murders, hoaxes, lies and delusions to reckon with the instability of truth and fiction in the twenty-first century. Listeners will follow Lepore through a fascinating, erudite, and antic journey through the thorny problem of how we know what we know, and why it seems sometimes as if we don't know anything at all anymore.

Revisiting key moments in U.S. history—from the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925 to the 1977 National Women’s Convention to the first election predicted by computer, and more—Lepore uncovers the secrets of the past the way a detective might, hot on the trail of the killer of truth.

Please note: This collection includes content that has been previously released in The Last Archive podcast.

©2023 Pushkin Industries (P)2023 Pushkin Industries

Excellent!

Jill Lepore is an absolutely amazing writer and narrates this book beautifully! I loved her in-depth stories that seek truth from Henrietta Lachs to the Scopes Monkey trial and beyond.

Well presented evidence for a democracy in disrepair

I came to this audiobook as a fan of Jill Lepore. I am now even more convinced that she has found a way to show us ourselves with good, fascinating, unblinking grace. Inside the tempo
and flair of the who-done—it story, we learn history’s secret places that have bent public perception. With the steady, careful, and entertaining use of archival recordings. we hear the real voices of players who pushed us toward the questions that ask if our democracy can survive.

Been waiting for this

Many helpful connections between events of my lifetime. Striking account of how we got to a truthless public square.

Creative Exploration

To no one’s surprise, New Yorker staff writer Jill LaPore regularly churns out clever phrases. But this Harvard historian is also creative in her approach to the history of evidence. Particularly exciting is her look at how our society might rid social media of mis- and disinformation.

Get it!

This is a great piece of work. With well documented stories and primary sources in original audio in many cases. Very entertaining and thought provoking. I listen to lots of audio books and I'd rate this among the very best.