Werner Herzog is as much a poet as a storyteller, whether he is dealing in images or words. He thinks in metaphor, often extended ones, like the story of the Palermo Pig that begins his new book, The Future of Truth. His creative endeavours tend to sneak up on their final form from behind, or from sideways, pouncing in knights-move fashion. He trusts his subconscious to sort things out, to make creative connections – although there are plenty of unconnected loose ends in this slim, easy-to-read, and beautifully presented hardback, which surely has its eye on the next-to-the-cash-register-stocking-filler market. (Which would make a useful single conjoint noun in his native tongue, German.)