Fake Heroes

From the author of Fake History, Otto English, comes a shocking yet hilarious look at ten of the greatest liars from our past, examining these previously unquestioned idols and exposing what they were trying to hide.

Was Che Guevara really a revolutionary hero?

Should Mother Theresa be honoured as a saint?

Is Henry V actually England's Greatest King?

And why does JFK's legend continue to grow?

Having exposed some of the greatest lies ever told in Fake History, journalist Otto English turns his attention to some of history's biggest (and most beloved) figures.

Whether it's virtuous leaders in just wars, martyrs sacrificing all for a cause, or innovators changing the world for the better, down the centuries supposedly great men and women have risen to become household names, martyrs, demigods, saints and heroes. But just how deserving are they of their reputations?

Exploring everything from Captain Scott's reckless hunt for glory to Coco Chanel's murky Nazi past, Otto English dives into the hidden lives of some of history's biggest names. Scrutinising figures from the worlds of art, politics, business, religion and royalty, and bringing to light the murkier truths that they would rather have kept buried away.

Separating the myth-builders from the fraudsters and celebrating some of the genuine unsung heroes from our history, Fake Heroes exposes the truth of the past and helps us understand why that matters today.