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The Art of Change: Transforming Paradoxes into Breakthroughs
by Jeff DeGraff Staney DeGraffIn a world of unprecedented disruption, mastering the art of change isn't just an advantage—it's essential for survival. Drawing from decades of work with global organizations, military commanders, and NASA leaders, Jeff and Staney DeGraff reveal how true transformation emerges not from avoiding contradictions, but from embracing them. This groundbreaking book, the third installation in their comprehensive innovation series, introduces a revolutionary framework for understanding and leveraging paradox. Through rich storytelling and battle-tested strategies, the DeGraffs unpack seven fundamental contradictions that define transformative growth: How do we achieve more by doing less? Why does certainty often lead to failure, while embracing uncertainty paves the path to breakthrough? When does resistance become the catalyst for change? The Art of Change demonstrates how these seeming contradictions hold the key to profound transformation—both personally and professionally. This isn't just another business book—it's a practical philosophy for navigating complexity in dynamic environments. Whether you're leading a Fortune 500 company, steering a non-profit through turbulent times, or seeking personal growth, you'll discover: A proven framework for turning obstacles into opportunities Practical tools for making better decisions in ambiguous situations Strategies for building resilience through embracing paradox Methods for driving innovation by challenging conventional wisdom Techniques for leading transformational change in any environment The Art of Change completes a pioneering trilogy that establishes a comprehensive school of thought around innovation and transformation. Building on the foundations laid in their previous works, the DeGraffs provide their most sophisticated and nuanced exploration yet of how to drive meaningful change in complex systems. Don't just manage change—master it. Learn how to transform paradoxes into breakthroughs and turn uncertainty into your greatest advantage. The Art of Change is your essential guide to navigating the contradictions that define our era and achieving lasting transformation in an increasingly fluid world.
The Art of Changing Course: A 3-Step Strategy to Get Unstuck and Solve Your Real Problems
by Chris RudenLearn the foolproof framework to take back control and create immediate and lasting change Getting stuck in life is a guarantee. Staying stuck is a choice. In The Art of Changing Course, amputee, diabetic record-holding powerlifter, and renowned motivational speaker and author Chris Ruden provides a clear-cut process that walks readers through digestible, actionable stages to get unstuck, allowing you to rise beyond simple awareness of the desire to change and become the person you truly want to be. Backed by numerous psychological principles, management techniques, and organizational change theories, The Art of Changing Course focuses on helping readers make three distinct shifts: from subconscious to conscious, conscious to communicated, and finally, communicated to broadcasted. In this book, you'll learn about: Moving past your go-to reactions of excuses and distractions when thinking about change Harnessing the language of how you speak to yourself to open up possibilities for change Giving yourself intrinsic permission to become the best version of yourself People are stuck, lost, and confused—you, the people you care about, and strangers you interact with in your day-to-day life. The Art of Changing Course will give you the tools to actually do something about it. It will help you move from overwhelm to action, transforming from hopeless, scared, and stuck into confident, actionable, and limitless—an essential read for anyone looking to find success and fulfillment in their personal and professional lives, and help others do the same.
The Art of Changing: Your Path to a Better Life
by Susan PeabodyBored, unsettled, lonely, depressed, or addicted? The truth is that to solve your problems you must embrace change. Self-help author and teacher Susan Peabody has seen it happen over and over again-her students want to turn their lives around but can'¬?t cope with the challenges on the road to change. In THE ART OF CHANGING, Peabody explains how to cross the bridge between the problem and the solution. She offers inspiration and direction on how to become willing, use the spirit, find motivation, find group support, and deal with stumbling blocks to change. Dreams can come true if we can learn the delicate ART OF CHANGING.A follow-up book from the best-selling author of ADDICTION TO LOVE, addressing the challenges of turning one'¬?s life around, whether one suffers from addiction, depression, or boredom.Susan Peabody'¬?s first book, ADDICTION TO LOVE, has sold 40,000 copies.From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Art of Cheating
by Jessica Dorfman JonesCheat? ME? Never!!! Well, except that one time... Who says you should always tell the truth? With this handy informational guidebook you can con your way through life -- from finessing your resume, to lying about your age, to getting a date. Whether you've decided to cheat out of sheer desperation or the need to get ahead, The Art of Cheating provides essential tips and guidelines for how to be the ultimate swindler, and how to spot the con artists among us. You'll learn what it takes to be a great cheater, and the pros and cons to every swindle. As a newly minted master of deception, you'll be able to cheat: ¥ On a diet ¥ On your spouse or significant other (or both!) ¥ On your taxes ¥ On standardized tests ¥ Death And more! With clever illustrations and humorous deadpan delivery, The Art ofCheating will have you sleeping your way to the top, faking an illness, and forging someone else's handwriting -- without batting an eye.
The Art of Chilling Out for Women: 100+ Ways to Replace Worry and Stress with Spiritual Healing, Self-Care, and Self-Love
by Angela D. ColemanBanish burnout, worry, and stress once and for all with these practical tips and strategies for relaxing, going beyond simple self-care to chill your mind, body, and soul.Women are resilient leaders driven to achieve but can often feel stressed out. They are being adversely impacted by the Covid-19 &“she-cession&” with less and less women returning to the workforce due to the multi-faceted responsibilities they face inside and outside of their homes. And in a world where heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, they can&’t afford to wait to relax. Author Angela D. Coleman&’s prescription in The Art of Chilling Out for Women teaches women the value of chilling out. Here women can learn to seek self-awareness, self-love, happiness, peace, and health. With this essential resource, women will eliminate burnout, stress, and excessive personal sacrifice with practical tips and holistic wellness, like creating cleansing spaces and sacred spots, releasing childhood trauma, establishing boundaries, increasing compassion and self-love, eliminating doubt, regulating with herbs, and listening to your physical self, and much more. This book is a must-have for any woman burdened by taking on the world.
The Art of Choosing
by Sheena IyengarEvery day we make choices. Coke or Pepsi? Save or spend? Stay or go? Whether mundane or life-altering, these choices define us and shape our lives. Sheena Iyengar asks the difficult questions about how and why we choose: Is the desire for choice innate or bound by culture? Why do we sometimes choose against our best interests? How much control do we really have over what we choose? Sheena Iyengar's award-winning research reveals that the answers are surprising and profound. In our world of shifting political and cultural forces, technological revolution, and interconnected commerce, our decisions have far-reaching consequences. Use THE ART OF CHOOSING as your companion and guide for the many challenges ahead.
The Art of Clear Thinking: A Stealth Fighter Pilot's Timeless Rules for Making Tough Decisions
by Hasard LeeTHE #2 WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLERBased on a career of making high-stakes, split-second decisions as a U.S. fighter pilot, The Art of Clear Thinking teaches readers to apply Hasard Lee's combat-tested techniques in everyday life.The training to become a fighter pilot is among the most competitive and difficult in the world with fewer than one in a thousand succeeding. Pushing a cutting-edge jet to its limits at over 1,000 mph means that every split-second decision can have catastrophic consequences. This extreme environment has forged a group of warriors who for the last fifty years have been considered at the apex of decision-making theory and practice.In The Art of Clear Thinking, Hasard Lee distills what he’s learned during his career flying some of the Air Force’s most advanced aircraft. With gripping firsthand accounts from his time as a fighter pilot and fascinating turning points throughout history, Hasard reveals powerful decision-making principles that can be used in business and in life, including: • HOW TO LEARN BETTER AND FASTER• CULTIVATING MENTAL TOUGHNESS• DEVELOPING THE SKILLS TO QUICKLY ASSESS, CHOOSE, AND EXECUTE• AND MUCH, MUCH MOREHasard has used and taught these techniques across the full spectrum of human endeavors and proven their effectiveness in both the cockpit and the boardroom. Those who have already benefited include CEO’s, astronauts, CIA agents, students, parents, and many others. The Art of Clear Thinking is a book that will change how you interact with the world around you.
The Art of Clothing Care: A Guide to Making Your Wardrobe Last
by SteameryWhat would happen if we turned our back on fast fashion trends? If we took time to slow down, to take pride in caring for our clothes and making them last as long as possible? These are the questions at the heart of Steamery's mission. Since 2014, the brand has developed a wide range of products specially designed to bring out the best of your wardrobe. Now Steamery is sharing its secrets to inspire you to not only appreciate the garments you love, but to find joy in the mindful act of clothing care.With quick and simple tips, The Art of Clothing Care shows you how making small changes can go a long way in keeping your wardrobe looking wonderful.This comprehensive guide includes tips on checking a garment's quality, how to shop for pre-loved clothes, keeping your wardrobe fresh and clean without over-washing, how to remove different types of stains, simple clothing repairs and upcycling ideas, as well as inspiring thoughts on the future of fashion and clothing care.Tapping into slow fashion trends including make do and mend, upcycling, clothing rental, sustainable textiles and shopping second-hand, this beautifully designed coffee table book is the perfect way to start thinking about how you care for your clothes and what small changes you could make to keep them looking their best.
The Art of Collaborating with AI: Harnessing the Power of Diverse Thinking
by Adam Riley David VL SmithWe are at a momentous inflection point in our evolutionary history: generative AI is becoming mainstream, transforming the world of work, and specifically that of knowledge workers. This book helps you to navigate your upskilling journey to remain relevant and to add value in the workplace.Knowledge workers must face up to the fact that there is a need to urgently reboot their skill set to survive and thrive in the new AI era. Many of the historic competences and points of differentiation that employees could offer are being challenged with AI technology. This book is all about building the power skills that knowledge workers will need to develop to maintain a competitive edge and work effectively alongside AI. It’s a future where AI will now do a lot of the heavy lifting and one in which employers will increasingly be looking for people to add value in areas where AI is weak. In particular, this puts the spotlight on the need for workers to dial up their potential as polymaths. These are people who can see the big picture from different perspectives and who can add that extra layer of innovative thinking and creativity to everything they do. Importantly, the book provides a framework for understanding how AI is likely to reshape the fundamental structure of the workforce, and how knowledge workers can strategically position themselves to enhance their value.This book provides an essential guide to developing new skill sets for knowledge workers in the AI era. Not only does it ensure that you don’t fall behind, it will also enable you to succeed and thrive.
The Art of Comforting
by Val WalkerWe live in an increasingly "virtual" world in which it can be tempting to skip making that true, human connection with someone in pain. Even though our thoughts might be with them, we lack the confidence to reach out, worrying that we will say or do the "wrong" thing. In this practical, step-by-step guide to what she calls "the art of comforting," Val Walker draws on numerous interviews with "Master Comforters" to guide readers in gently and gracefully breaking through the walls that those who are suffering often erect around themselves. Interviewees include inspiring individuals such as Alicia Rasin, who, as a victim's advocate for the city of Richmond, Virginia, has devoted her life to comforting grieving families devastated by homicide, gang violence, and other traumatic experiences; or Patricia Ellen, who, as a grief counselor and outreach director at the Center for Grieving Children in Portland, Maine, appears on site to support and comfort children, staff, and parents when a school is facing a death, violence, or other crises. All of us will, at one time or the other, be called upon to offer warmth and support to another human being who is suffering-this book will show you how to answer the call with an open heart. .
The Art of Communicating
by Thich Nhat HanhZen master Thick Nhat Hanh, bestselling author of Peace is Every Step and one of the most respected and celebrated religious leaders in the world, delivers a powerful path to happiness through mastering lifes most important skill. How do we say what we mean in a way that the other person can really hear?How can we listen with compassion and understanding?Communication fuels the ties that bind, whether in relationships, business, or everyday interactions. Most of us, however, have never been taught the fundamental skills of communication--or how to best represent our true selves. Effective communication is as important to our well-being and happiness as the food we put into our bodies. It can be either healthy (and nourishing) or toxic (and destructive). In this precise and practical guide, Zen master and Buddhist monk Thick Nhat Hanh reveals how to listen mindfully and express your fullest and most authentic self. With examples from his work with couples, families, and international conflicts, The Art of Communicating helps us move beyond the perils and frustrations of misrepresentation and misunderstanding to learn the listening and speaking skills that will forever change how we experience and impact the world.
The Art of Confession: Renewing Yourself Through the Practice of Honesty
by Paul WilkesPaul Wilkes has written an elegant, prescriptive, secular book—a spiritual gem—that reinvents the power of confession for a contemporary audience. Confession is the foundation of religion, the essence of mental health. It is listening to the voice within to follow the path to honest and conscious living. And for thousands of years people have used the power of confession to find their best selves.Liberating confession from the confessional, The Art of Confession draws on traditions as old as ancient Greece and as modern as psychoanalysis as diverse as Judaism, Catholicism, and Islam, to show readers how to incorporate a confessional practice into their daily lives. There are visualizations, spiritual exercises, prompts, and meditations; private confessions, direct confessions, psychological confessions.Accompanied throughout by a wise “confessional chorus”—a rabbi, a priest, a psychiatrist, a nun, whose points-of-view complement and augment the text—The Art of Confession is an antidote to our age of oversharing, where we happily broadcast the minutest details of our lives in public, yet never find the time to discover the risk, relief, and ultimately the renewal that real, considered self-reflection offers.
The Art of Connection: 7 Relationship-Building Skills Every Leader Needs Now
by Michael J. GelbThese days, it’s often easier to avoid face-to-face contact in favor of technological shortcuts. But as Michael Gelb argues in this compelling, entertaining book, the meaningful relationships that come from real interaction are the key to creating innovative ideas and solving our most intractable problems. In The Art of Connection, Gelb offers readers seven methods of developing this essential rapport in their professional and personal lives. Each chapter covers specific techniques and illustrates them with memorable stories, relevant scientific research, and hands-on exercises that allow readers to apply their new skills. Most important, Gelb reminds us that developing rapport with others is not just a business tool to enhance productivity but a valuable end in itself. He guides us to cultivate the skills we all need to deepen our relationships, broaden our humanity, and transform our lives.
The Art of Conscious Communication: Effective Personal and Professional Communication Skills
by Jem Fuller&“An enlightening guide to redefining masculinity . . . helping [the modern man] navigate conversations with empathy, clarity, and respect.&” —Scott Jeffrey Miller, bestselling author and podcast host Embrace the power of conscious communication and become part of a new generation of emotionally aware, respectful men. Your journey towards enhanced relationships and a more fulfilling life begins here. In this transformative guide, author Jem Fuller draws on 20 years of coaching and leadership, providing strategies to enhance communication skills. Explore the depths of personal discovery through honest stories, discovering how small steps in awareness can lead to significant changes in relationships and results. It&’s not just a book. In a world where communication shapes the essence of our relationships and results, Fuller challenges conventional norms that may hinder effective expression. The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men is a guide to thinking, focusing, acting, and communicating in ways that profoundly impact both individual lives and the lives of those around you. The book urges men to break free from societal constraints, offering practical strategies for navigating complex emotions and conversations. As you delve into Jem&’s colorful life experiences and leadership insights, witness the potential for positive societal change and a more fulfilling life through the profound impact of conscious communication. Inside, you&’ll find: Masterful coaching strategies for effective communication Leadership insights honed over two decades Practical guidance for navigating complex emotions Stories from a diverse life, enhancing cultural understanding If you liked books such as The First Minute, The Effective Communication Method, or 7 Winning Conflict Resolution Techniques, you&’ll love The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men.
The Art of Conscious Conversations: Transforming How We Talk, Listen, and Interact
by Chuck WisnerRecognize the negative mental habits that derail conversations and destroy projects—and forge authentic, enduring, and productive connections. We live in conversations like fish live in water—we&’re in them all the time, so we don&’t think about them much. As a result, we can find ourselves stuck in cyclical patterns of unproductive behaviors. We listen half-heartedly, react emotionally, and respond habitually, like we&’re on autopilot. This is a practical guide for thoughtfully reflecting on conversations and avoiding the common pitfalls that cause our relationships and work to go sideways. Chuck Wisner identifies four universal types of conversations and offers specific advice to maximize the effectiveness of each:Storytelling—Investigate the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and othersCollaborative—Explore the way our stories and other people&’s stories interactCreative—See new possibilities and discover unforeseen solutionsCommitment—Make promises we know we can keep These conversations unfold sequentially: Our awareness of our and others&’ stories transforms our ability to listen and collaborate, which opens our thoughts to creative possibilities, guiding us toward mindful agreements. Our conversations—at home, at work, or in public—can be sources of pleasure and stepping-stones toward success, or they can cause pain and lead to failure. Wisner shows how we can form a connection from the very first conversation and keep our discourse positive and productive throughout any endeavor. &“A compelling read with a big impact.&” —Susan McPherson, author of The Lost Art of Connecting
The Art of Conversation
by Catherine BlythEvery day we use our mobiles and computers to communicate, but ironically we are losing touch with face-to-face talk. Catherine Blyth reveals the endless possibilities of conversation and shows that when it works it can come close to heaven. With examples from Elizabeth I to Tommy Cooper, courtesans to nomads, The Art of Conversation is full of tips on listening, the perfect handshake, talking shop and surviving conversational bores. Be it sharing a joke with a stranger, sparking a new idea or just letting off steam with a friend, there are infinite adventures to be had if you break the ice and say hello . . .
The Art of Creative Thinking: 89 Ways to See Things Differently
by Rod JudkinsGet ready to get inspired In short and engaging entries, this deceptively simple volume presents examples of creative thinkers from the worlds of writing, music, architecture, painting, technology, and more, shedding light on their process, and showing how each of us can learn from them to improve our lives and our work.Subjects range from the grueling practice schedule of the Beatles and the relentless revisions of Tolkien, Sondheim, and Picasso to the surprisingly slapdash creation of The Simpsons. You'll learn about the most successful class in history (in which every student won a Nobel Prize), how frozen peas were invented, why J.K. Rowling likes to write in cafes, and how 95 percent of Apocalypse Now ended up on the cutting-room floor. Takeaways include:- Doubt everything all the time.- Plan to have more accidents.- Be mature enough to be childish.- Contradict yourself more often. - Be practically useless.- If it ain't broke, break it.- Surprise yourself.- Look forward to disappointment.- Be as incompetent as possible.From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Art of Creative Thinking: How to be Innovative and Develop Great Ideas
by John AdairThe Art of Creative Thinking provides clear, practical guidelines for developing your powers as a creative thinker. Using examples of entrepreneurs, authors, scientists and artists, John Adair illustrates a key aspect of creativity in each chapter. Stimulating and accessible, this book will help you to understand the creative process, overcome barriers to new ideas, learn to think effectively and develop a creative atttitude. It will help you to become more confident in yourself as a creative person.The Art of Creative Thinking gives you a fresh concept of creative thinking and it will guide you in developing your full potential as a creative thinker. New ideas are the seeds of new products and services, and this book will open the door to them.
The Art of Creativity: 7 Powerful Habits to Unlock Your Full Potential
by Susie PearlDiscover the daily habits of highly creative people.What do most highly creative people have in common? What are the habits they cultivate? What is 'the flow' and how do you get into it?THE ART OF CREATIVITY is a practical guide to help you unlock your creative potential and find fulfilment and happiness in the process. After 20 years working with some of the most creative people on the planet, writer and business coach Susie Pearl has unearthed the habits of highly creative people and takes you on a journey to unlock your own inner stream of creativity.Over the course of this easy-to-follow guide, you will learn to take risks with your inner artist, ignore critics, release blocks and get into daily creative habits in order to build better projects, ideas and artistic collaborations, and unearth creative solutions and innovations. Containing practical tools and exercises, and a step-by-step to help you along the way, THE ART OF CREATIVITY will reveal a more fulfilled, passionate and creative you.
The Art of Creativity: 7 Powerful Habits to Unlock Your Full Potential
by Susie PearlDiscover the daily habits of highly creative people.What do most highly creative people have in common? What are the habits they cultivate? What is 'the flow' and how do you get into it?THE ART OF CREATIVITY is a practical guide to help you unlock your creative potential and find fulfilment and happiness in the process. After 20 years working with some of the most creative people on the planet, writer and business coach Susie Pearl has unearthed the habits of highly creative people and takes you on a journey to unlock your own inner stream of creativity.Over the course of this easy-to-follow guide, you will learn to take risks with your inner artist, ignore critics, release blocks and get into daily creative habits in order to build better projects, ideas and artistic collaborations, and unearth creative solutions and innovations. Containing practical tools and exercises, and a step-by-step to help you along the way, THE ART OF CREATIVITY will reveal a more fulfilled, passionate and creative you.
The Art of Crying: The healing power of tears
by Pepita SandwichExplore the healing, transformative power of shedding tears in this evocatively illustrated study of crying, one of the most uniquely human things we do.What if crying wasn't just an involuntary reaction to feeling sad, vulnerable, or overwhelmed - but a hidden wellspring of power we could harness to live a fuller life? In The Art of Crying, Pepita Sandwich makes the case that crying is humanity's most misunderstood and magical special effect. We are the only animals who shed tears as a result of the emotions we feel. But crying is not our weakness: it's our superpower. Our tears are a path to growth and healing that leads to deeper and more fulfilling experiences. In this beautifully illustrated book, Sandwich dives deep into an ocean of research into tears to understand the science and history of this uniquely human phenomenon. And she has emerged with a case for "letting it all out" a little more often, because tears have a powerful magic all their own.
The Art of Curiosity: Fifty Visionary Artists, Scientists, Poets, Makers, and Dreamers Who Are Changing the Way We See Our World
by ExploratoriumFifty of the world’s most creative people share their stories and inspirations in this volume created by the Exploratorium science museum.What do music visionary Brian Eno, kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen, science writer Mary Roach, Mythbuster Adam Savage, and Pulitzer-winning journalist Thomas Friedman have in common? They are all game-changers: scientists, artists, entertainers, and activists who revolutionized their fields with bold new perspectives and approaches—and they all had transformative, course-setting experiences at the Exploratorium science museum, the San Francisco landmark visited by a million people a year in person and by millions more online.Join them and forty-five more brilliant thinkers and doers in a wonderfully playful, insightful, and sometimes incredibly moving journey to see how you, too, can harness your powers of observation, inquiry, and engagement to be the change you want to see in the world—regardless of who you are or what you do. Interviewees and subjects include:Oscar-Winning Sound Designer Walter Murch on observationLaurie Anderson on art as a way of knowingMemory Expert Elizabeth Loftus on how we learnOliver Sacks on perceptionMary Roach on how she learned to ask the right questionsAdam Savage on the fun of finding things outMickey Hart on the art of playing to learn, and learning to playCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom on the importance of scienceCommunity activist Randy Carter on finding joy in the worst of places . . . and dozens more interviews, insights, and activities suggested by artists, scientists, poets, and politicians, in a book that can help you become more creative—and maybe just change the world.
The Art of Danish Living: How the World's Happiest People Find Joy at Work
by Meik WikingA beautiful, research-backed guide on how to work like the happiest people in the world from the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and bestselling author of the New York Times bestseller The Little Book of Hygge.It is well-known that the Danish have a fantastic balance of work and home life, that working late is discouraged, parental leave is split equally, and long relaxing summer holidays are the norm. They even have a word that means &“happiness at work&”—arbejdsglæde. All of this is true while the rest of the western world are struggling with a burn-out epidemic, so where are we going wrong?Based on a new study from The Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, which was conducted across thousands of workers and some of the biggest companies in the world, Meik's latest book reveals the main factors in our happiness at work in his most pertinant book yet. With chapters on Purpose, Trust, Relationships, Balance, Success, and much more, Meik suggests a more holistic approach to life and work that makes it possible for us all to reduce stress, increase productivity, and get more out of life.
The Art of Death: Writing the Final Story (Art of...)
by Edwidge DanticatA moving reflection on a subject that touches us all, by the bestselling author of Claire of the Sea LightEdwidge Danticat’s The Art of Death: Writing the Final Story is at once a personal account of her mother dying from cancer and a deeply considered reckoning with the ways that other writers have approached death in their own work. “Writing has been the primary way I have tried to make sense of my losses,” Danticat notes in her introduction. “I have been writing about death for as long as I have been writing.” The book moves outward from the shock of her mother’s diagnosis and sifts through Danticat’s writing life and personal history, all the while shifting fluidly from examples that range from Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude to Toni Morrison’s Sula. The narrative, which continually circles the many incarnations of death from individual to large-scale catastrophes, culminates in a beautiful, heartrending prayer in the voice of Danticat’s mother. A moving tribute and a work of astute criticism, The Art of Death is a book that will profoundly alter all who encounter it.
The Art of Deception
by W. Donald Wilson Sergio KokisWhere is reality to be found: at the surface of things or behind it?Max Willem, a young art student in Montreal at the end of the 1960s, becomes obsessed with outward appearances - with makeup, costume, and masks of all kinds. For him, outward reality, and in particular that of the opposite sex, is composed of many veils of illusion and artifice through which he must see if he is to feel fully alive. At the same time, Max discovers his exceptional talent for art forgery. Moving to New York, he becomes a tool in the hands of a powerful international ring dealing in forged art, and suffers from the loss of his own artistic integrity. Himself seduced as much a seducer, how can Max escape and redeem his artistic soul?In The Art of Deception, Sergio Kokis has written a novel about mystification and illusion. His exuberant narrative provides a caustic insight into the undersides of art and of love.