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  • Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy

  • Written by: David Mitchell
  • Narrated by: David Mitchell
  • Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (93 ratings)

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Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy

Written by: David Mitchell
Narrated by: David Mitchell
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Publisher's Summary

David Mitchell’s 2014 best seller Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse must really have made people think - because everything’s got worse. We’ve gone from UKIP surge to Brexit shambles, from horsemeat in lasagne to Donald Trump in the White House, from Woolworths going under to all the other shops going under. It’s probably socially irresponsible even to try to cheer up.  

But if you’re determined to give it a go, you might enjoy this eclectic collection (or eclection) of David Mitchell’s attempts to make light of all that darkness. Scampi, politics, the Olympics, terrorism, exercise, rude street names, inheritance tax, salad cream, proportional representation and farts are all touched upon by Mitchell’s unremitting laser of chit-chat, as he negotiates a path between the commercialisation of Christmas and the true spirit of Halloween. 

Listen to this book and slightly change your life!

©2019 David Mitchell (P)2019 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about Dishonesty Is the Second-Best Policy

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  • Mia
  • 2022-09-01

Funny enough to scare birds away

I like to listen to audiobooks while attempting to train the local wild birds to take bird seed from my outstretched hand, sitting on my balcony. It had been going well until I started listening to this book, but I couldn’t help laughing a lot, which scared the birds away. So, definitely recommended if you like funny things (a thing), unless you are currently in the act of attempting to lure famously skittish wildlife.

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Boring

How do I remove this pretentious whine off my device? Please stop talking, you are unbearable. Is this enough words?

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Very funny and entertaining

A well rounded book that made me laugh out loud often and was endearing for a political themed book. I would highly recommend it

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  • Overall
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Brilliant fun

David Mitchell delivers spot on punchy thoughts with his usual urbane and somewhat irritated voice. With crazy brilliance he turns our world inside out. A comedian and writer without equal.

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lovely

I could listen to David talk about anything at all for hours, and I just did. I regret nothing, except that it took me this long to see if he had any audio books, and Brexit. I didn't vote to leave mind you, and yet I regret it all the same.

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Funny and insightful!

David Mitchell's book makes super interesting and excellent points about contemporary political and social issues while keeping it funny enough that I laughed out loud listening to this. Great book!

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Cheeky

This is my first introduction of David. I love him. he has such a unique style.

my biggest issue with the book is that I just don't understand alot of the references, but blame my Canadianity

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  • SR
  • 2021-06-11

David Mitchell's entertaining rants

The trademark ruthless logic of David Mitchell makes for an entertaining audiobook. a wide range of topics are discussed, predominantly UK related topics, but can still be entertaining to people outside the region.

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  • Maggie May
  • 2019-11-19

Meant for UK listeners

It's possible that David Mitchell isn't expecting to have all that many fans in the US. This book is cobbled together from think pieces he does for a British publication - so there are many references that just shoot over my stupid American head.
My husband and I listened to parts of it together and did laugh at the stuff we did understand. We love Mr. Mitchell's humor and see him quite a bit on various British quiz shows and Upstart Crow. (not a fan of Peep Show, but my husband surely is) It was disappointing to me that not enough of it was 'gettable' though it's certainly not the fault of the author. As I said, I'm not really his target audience.

If you are up to date on all things UK, this could be for you. even if you are American.

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29 people found this helpful

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  • Joy
  • 2020-06-20

Agree or not, Mitchell rants are great

I thought about giving four stars but then realized it was only because as an American, I didn’t necessarily know all his references. That would be wrong because I love listening to David Mitchell talking about current events, conspiracy theories etc. you don’t even have to agree with him to enjoy the rant.

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6 people found this helpful

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  • Jan Padilla
  • 2020-05-11

Delightfully cathartic pedantry

I really enjoy listening to David Mitchell's comedic writing. Primarily because there's an inventiveness about his gripes, it sort of puts your own values and the stuff you moan about into perspective. In a way it really just makes you think yourself silly.

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5 people found this helpful

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2020-02-16

Hilarious, ironic, sarcastic.

I enjoyed his pearls of wisdom in Peep Show and Would I Lie to You. Highly recommend if you like The sarcastic British humor.

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  • dolmenus
  • 2020-07-13

Above the average!

David Mitchell is not a comedian he is Rene Descartes bizzaro! In a very positive way! He makes the art of thinking and analyzing fun!

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4 people found this helpful

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  • Mr wonderful
  • 2020-01-09

Love David Michell, he kills it as always.

It's quick, maybe a bit rambley at times, but still enjoyable. I'd say I don't know a whole lot about British politics, so that's one issue I have with the book.

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  • henfish
  • 2021-09-17

Mitchel nails it

I loved this audio book. Just nodded and giggled along the whole way through. Despite some of this satire being from 5 plus years ago, it was still relevant, articulate and brilliantly written. Serious subjects tackled with heavy dose of Mitchell’s uniquely, nerdy silliness. Going to download another one of his books immediately. Thank you .

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  • Tyler Thomas
  • 2020-04-15

David Mitchell is back and just as good as ever

I swear I could listen to David whinge about absolutely anything for hours and hours.

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  • August B.
  • 2020-05-12

Didn't realize Mitchell was so needlessly vicious

I arrived at this volume directly from 'Backstory' and I have to say that I'm somewhat taken aback by how personally Mitchell deals with politics and the world outside entertainment. Pessimism with technological developments, bitter remoaning, frequent recourse to the idea that all wealth is properly the state's to dispose with. As the Greatest Living Statesman would say, "Sad!"

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  • dsjhall
  • 2023-11-19

"Boaty McBoat Face" and more LOL!

I loved it! As a "Yank" some of the political ravings of this madman were lost on me but still funny as heck just by the way he ranted. Very good. Can't wait for his next book. wWell, after "Unruly." I've already listened to that twice. Think I'll give this one a go again as well! Farts can still be funny.

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