In this discussion, theatre director Liam Rees dives into the intriguing tale of Gregor MacGregor, a 19th-century conman who sold imaginary lands. David Clarke shares captivating highlights from the Weekend of Mistakes event, while librarian Helen Williams explores Russia’s complex narratives and the influence of figures like Putin and Trump. Listeners gain insight into evolving financial education initiatives for school leavers, reflecting on the importance of storytelling in understanding economic and political landscapes.
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The Land That Never Was
Liam Rees's play, "The Land That Never Was," is about Gregor McGregor, who fraudulently sold a nonexistent country.
McGregor created a detailed illusion, including maps, a travel guide, and fake government bonds, to deceive investors.
insights INSIGHT
Audacious Lies and the Post-Truth World
The success of audacious scams, like McGregor's or those facilitated by AI, highlights the human tendency to believe the unbelievable.
This connects to the post-truth era where narratives, even if false, provide structure to chaos.
insights INSIGHT
The Discomfort of Narrative Control
TED Talks and political speeches use manipulative storytelling techniques similar to McGregor's, creating discomfort even when the content seems agreeable.
These techniques highlight the power of narrative and communication in shaping our understanding of the world.
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The Invention of Russia explores how Russia transitioned from a hopeful post-Soviet era under Gorbachev to a militaristic and authoritarian state under Putin. The book highlights the role of media and ideologists in shaping Russia's narrative and creating a new reality that supports Putin's power. It delves into the ideological conflicts and manipulations that have led Russia to its current geopolitical stance.
Trump: The Art of the Deal
Tony Schwartz
Donald J. Trump
This book is a mix of memoir and business advice, detailing Trump's professional and personal worldview. It outlines his approach to deal-making, including his eleven key elements for success, such as 'Think Big,' 'Maximize Your Options,' and 'Have Fun.' The book offers insights into Trump's business strategies, his interactions with various figures, and his approach to negotiating deals. It also provides a glimpse into his personal life and how he runs his organization[1][3][5].
Midnight Diaries
Boris Yeltsin
Perestroika
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev
Perestroika: New Thinking for Our Country and the World is Mikhail Gorbachev's own account of the revolutionary reforms he implemented in the Soviet Union during the late 1980s. The book discusses the restructuring of the Soviet economy and government, as well as new approaches to foreign policy, emphasizing decentralization, openness, and international cooperation. It reflects Gorbachev's vision for a more democratic and efficient Soviet system, though it is also influenced by Soviet ideological perspectives.
Leila Johnston and Fraser Allen are back to take you behind the scenes at the Library of Mistakes. And in this packed episode we... •Hear from theatre director and actor Liam Rees about his show The Land That Never Was. It's based on the adventures of 19th century Scottish conman Gregor MacGregor, who sold bonds on behalf of a South American country that was a figment of his imagination! •Explore what happened at the Weekend of Mistakes in Hay-on-Wye (including clips from speakers). •Chat to the team behind Leavers' Money Skills, helping Scottish school-leavers to cope with the life of finance ahead of them. •And our Librarian Helen Williams discusses our books on Russia, Putin and Trump!
If you have any feedback, ideas or can name the song briefly alluded to at the end of this episode (and the band that originally sung it) – you could win a Library of Mistakes mug! – simply email fraser@libraryofmistakes.com or leila@libraryofmistakes.com
Library of Mistakes 
