The Confidence Game

The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It… Every Time by Maria Konnikova explores the psychology behind deception and belief. Through real-life stories of famous con artists, Konnikova reveals how swindlers exploit trust, emotion, and storytelling to manipulate their victims. She breaks down each stage of the con—from identifying a target to keeping them silent—and examines why even intelligent people get fooled. Blending psychology, neuroscience, and true crime, this book uncovers how easily our minds can be deceived—and how to spot manipulation before it’s too late.