Best Hoaxes & Deceptions Books of 2026

The book "Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Right-Wing Extremism" by Jeffrey Toobin is a compelling and authoritative history of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and its aftermath. Toobin puts the attack in the context of an extremist, anti-government movement that has persisted and grown in the decades since. He draws on a wealth of previously unreleased tapes, photographs, and documents, including detailed communications between McVeigh and his lawyers, to provide a detailed and nuanced account of this dark chapter in American history. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the roots and legacy of right-wing extremism in the United States.

The book "Unscripted" by James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams is a jaw-dropping tale of toxic wealth and greed that offers an unvarnished look at the inner workings of two public companies, their boards of directors, and a wealthy, dysfunctional family in the throes of seismic changes. The book offers an explosive and shocking inside story of the struggle for power and control at Paramount Global, the multibillion-dollar entertainment empire controlled by the Redstone family. It's an excellent read for anyone interested in the entertainment industry and corporate power struggles.

Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud by Ben McKenzie and Jacob Silverman is a witty and entertaining take on the world of cryptocurrency. McKenzie, an actor, delves into the world of blockchain and Bitcoin, only to realize that the entire industry is a scam. With the help of journalist Silverman, he exposes the frauds and true believers in a world that's potentially more devastating than Bernie Madoff. The book is an on-the-ground look at the perfect storm of 2008 Housing Bubble-level irresponsibility and criminal fraud. McKenzie's personal quest to expose the crypto charlatans is a fascinating read, and the book is a must-read for anyone interested in the world of cryptocurrency.

The Ultimate Serial Killer Trivia Book is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts. With its collection of fascinating facts and disturbing details about infamous serial killers and their horrific crimes, the book covers everything from the differences between psychopaths and sociopaths to the most bizarre serial killer motivations of all time. The book includes up-to-date information on active serial killers and ongoing murder cases, and 11 distinct categories, from The Psychopathic Mind to Serial Killing Cannibals to Killers Inspired By Media. Overall, The Ultimate Serial Killer Trivia Book is a unique and eerily fascinating addition to any true crime lover's collection.

Broken: The Suspicious Death of Alydar and the End of Horse Racing’s Golden Age by Fred M. Kray is a gripping true-crime investigation that delves into one of the biggest mysteries to ever hit the horse racing world. The book follows the rise of the famous racehorse Alydar, his mysterious broken leg, and the subsequent investigation that revealed shocking details about his death. Kray's love for horse racing shines through in his detailed descriptions of races and equine behavior. Broken is a must-read for anyone interested in the world of horse racing and true crime.

The Caesars Palace Coup is a gripping true story of the 2015 bankruptcy of Caesars Entertainment, one of the most brutal corporate restructurings in Wall Street history. The book details the intense power struggle between private equity firms and distressed debt hedge funds over the famous casino giant. Through a $27 billion leveraged buyout and a dizzying string of financial engineering transactions, Apollo and TPG seemingly snatched every prime asset of the company from creditors, with the exception of Caesars Palace. This book delves deep into the tactics of distressed debt mavens and their fight-to-the-death mentality that has come to dominate the scene in Corporate America. Financial journalists Max Frumes and Sujeet Indap have done an excellent job of bringing this story to life.

Billion Dollar Whale: The Man Who Fooled Wall Street, Hollywood, and the World is a gripping true story of how a young man from Malaysia named Jho Low pulled off one of the largest heists in history with the aid of Goldman Sachs. Low siphoned billions of dollars from an investment fund and used the money to finance elections, purchase luxury real estate, and even fund Hollywood films like The Wolf of Wall Street. This book is an epic tale of white-collar crime on a global scale that exposes the next great threat to the global financial system. Overall, this book is a classic harrowing parable of hubris and greed in the financial world that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

The Fabulist by Mark Chiusano is a gripping and hilarious account of the bizarre life of George Santos, a grifter who made a longshot run to office from New York's 3rd Congressional District. Chiusano, a Long Island reporter, has been on Santos' trail since 2019, and he tells the full, and often unbelievable, story of Santos' rise to fame and infamy. The book combines boots-on-the-ground journalism, dishy backroom dealings, and glittery details about Gold Coast mansions and bodice-baring drag shows that make it a must-read for anyone interested in American politics and the con artists who populate it.

"Robert's Story: A Texas Cowboy's Troubled Life and Horrifying Death" is a gripping biography that tells the story of Robert East, a cowboy who inherits his family's ranch and the majority ownership of the natural gas beneath it after his brother's death. The book describes Robert's contentious nature, bitter legal hostilities within the family, and his final days as a wealthy but isolated old man. Written by Stephen G. Michaud, this book is a must-read for those interested in rich and famous biographies. The unique blend of family drama, wealth, and tragedy makes this book stand out from the rest.