What do James Frey's A Million Little Pieces, Margaret B. Jones' Love and Consequence, and Alex Haley's Roots have in common? They all mislead readers, since none of these popular books is what it appears to be. Books such as these intrigue us and make us uncomfortable. They also present librarians, whether they are responsible for making reading recommendations to library users or creating catalog records, with a dilemma. The profession values objectivity and accuracy, qualities that can be difficult to reconcile when a work is controversial. This book addresses ethical considerations, particularly for catalogers, and proposes cataloging solutions. The approaches suggested are provocative and designed to spark debate.

Also included is one of the most extensive annotated bibliographies of deceptive books available. The discussions of these misleading monographs are informative and entertaining. Although librarians are the intended audience for this book, others will enjoy the stories behind these works and perhaps be surprised to discover that one of their favorite books is not exactly as advertised.