Otto English to expose world's 'biggest lies' for Welbeck

Welbeck Publishing has acquired Fake History: Ten Great Lies and How They Shaped the World by Otto English, an "authoritative and alternative" history of the world that will expose some of the biggest lies ever told.

English will explore the 10 biggest lies from history and look at the people who propagated them, showing how the past has been bent and broken over time to fit the ends of the world's most powerful people. 

Oliver Holden-Rea, editorial director for non-fiction, bought UK and Commonwealth rights from Doug Young at PEW. 

Holden-Rea said: "At a time when many people are rightly beginning to question the historical narratives they’ve been fed, I’m delighted to have this amazing book on our list. In his trademark captivating style, and with equal parts hilarity and anger, Otto takes apart everything we learnt in school. I cannot wait for people to read it.”

English commented: “Politicians and pundits increasingly try to take control of the past. They encourage us to buy into half-remembered facts and untruths. They tell us to take pride in things for which we should not be very proud at all. Someone needed to topple fake history from its plinth and that is what I’ve set out to do. I hope the book will surprise, enlighten and most of all entertain; but also, that it will spark debate and stir readers to rethink the past, present and future.”

Fake History is scheduled for publication on 10th June 2021.