A fresh, insightful guide to reading body language in the post-digital age

Whether you’re at a job interview or a cocktail party, searching LinkedIn or swiping right on a dating site, you want (no—need) to understand what people are really thinking, regardless of what they’re saying. Understanding what others are trying to tell you with their posture, hand gestures, eye contact (or lack thereof) or incessant fiddling with their iPhone might all be even more important than what you’re projecting yourself. Do they plan on making a deal with your company? Are they lying to you? Can you trust this person with your most intimate secrets? Knowing what others are thinking can tell you when to run with an opportunity and when not to waste your time, whether at work, in a crucial negotiation or on a promising first date.

Bestselling authors Mark Bowden and Tracey Thomson, principals at the communications company Truthplane, illustrate the essential points of body language with examples from everyday life, leavened with humour and insights that you can use to your advantage in virtually any situation.

MARK BOWDEN is a body language and behaviour expert. He is the co-founder of Truthplane, a communications training company and methodology for anyone who wants to communicate with impact. Bowden’s clients include business people, politicians and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. He is a regular contributor to CTV’s The Social as the resident body language expert and was voted the world’s top body language professional by GlobalGurus.org. His TEDx Talk, “The Importance of Being Inauthentic,” has been viewed by hundreds of thousands of people. He is the author of Winning Body Language, Winning Body Language for Sales Professionals (with Andrew Ford) and Tame the Primitive Brain. Bowden lives in Toronto. TRACEY THOMSON is a business development specialist with a solid record in strategy, branding, sponsorship, sales, marketing, project management and event organization. She is the co-founder, with Mark Bowden, and vice-president of operations at Truthplane. Tracey lives in Toronto.

Mark Bowden's profile page

Tracey Thomson, cofounder of TRUTHPLANE, advises the world’s top companies and individuals on issues involving communication and body language. Her background in directing and training performers internationally in the psychology of movement, as well as her professional experience analyzing and supplying solutions to the dramas we find ourselves in, gives her unique insights into human behavior and what people are really thinking.

Tracey Thomson's profile page

“Just when you think you know people (or how to read them) out comes a book like this. In business? In a relationship? In a family? This book is for you. I could not put it down, and I now question everything very differently.”

Mitch Joel, President of Mirum and author of <em>Six Pixels of Separation</em> and <em>Ctrl Alt Delete</em>

“Mark Bowden and Tracey Thomson give us a front row seat to understanding nonverbal communication and human behavior. Truth and Lies shows us how to come off autopilot and get it right each and every time.”

Tonya Reiman, behavioral analyst, author of <em>The Body Language of Dating</em>

“What you think you know about body language? Probably lies. What’s in this book? A way of getting to the truth. Bowden and Thomson share a simple, tested process to help you figure out what’s really going on with that other person, in business and in life.”

Michael Bungay Stanier, author of the <em>Wall Street Journal</em>-bestselling <em>The Coaching Habit</em>

“A thoughtful and remarkable book, by two thoughtful and remarkable people. This year’s must-read on nonverbal communications and human behavior.”

Joe Navarro, former FBI counterintelligence agent and author of the international bestseller <em>What Every BODY Is Saying</em>

“A masterwork life-coaching manual. With advice from other leading experts in nonverbal behavior, Mark Bowden and Tracey Thomson bring you a rounded view and new system for how to understand and use body language in a wide variety of life situations.”

Greg Hartley, former US Army interrogator and human behavior consultant

“The cluttered space of body language clickbait continues to grow, but Truth and Lies clears a path to clarity and focus.”

Scott Rouse, body language analyst and military interrogation trainer

“A thoroughly insightful read, packed full of useful information to put to immediate and practical use. Let Mark and Tracey guide you to success and increase your awareness of other people.”

Craig Baxter, author of <em>Behind The Mask: What Michael Jackson’s Body Language Told the World</em>

“Truth and Lies is brilliant. If you’d like to learn the truth about who will have your back or if your kids are in safe hands or if your neighbor, boyfriend, best friend, or boss is keeping a secret from you, then read this book.”

Janine Driver, lie detection expert for the CIA and New York Times–bestselling author of <em>You Say More Than You Think</em>

“The authors are true body language detectives. I wish I had learned their SCAN technique years ago. Brilliant and informative, this is a must-read for anyone after the truth.”

J. Paul Nadeau, former hostage negotiator

“Fascinating, revealing and at times, unsettling, Truth and Lies explains the nuances of body language to help you better understand the complexities of human behavior and discover what people are really thinking.”

Victoria Stilwell, principal of Positively and author of <em>It’s Me or the Dog!</em>

“If you’ve ever wondered what selfies say, why people ‘ghost,’ and how to detect the signals of deception in the physical and digital world, then Truth and Lies is the definitive, non-verbal communication book of this generation.”

Jamie Mason Cohen, handwriting analyst to criminal profilers and TEDx speaker

“Truth and Lies is a wonderful guide to learning how to know what people are really thinking.”

Vanessa Van Edwards, bestselling author of <em>Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People</em>