Thousands of people once bought a bunkum scheme to saw the island of Manhattan in half. Hundreds were embarrassed. Funny? Sure, but millions also believed in a phony book called The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and millions of Jews died. It's the scope of human lying and human gullibility that makes The Big Book Of Hoaxes both disturbing and oddly entertaining. Fifty-odd successful experiments in the art of the lie are wonderfully illustrated in black and white by 75 different artists, including Gahan Wilson and Joe Sacco. Each one demonstrates a unique instance of normal people suspending their disbelief for all the wrong reasons, usually including greed. As a nice extra bonus, the last chapter is a sort of how-to section on running the short con game, including the classic Badger Game, Pigeon Drop and Three-Card Monte—all examples of the hoaxer's maxim, "You can't swindle an honest man." Those who revel in the misfortunes of the stupid and greedy will love it.