The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience: [2 volumes]

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Description

Is there any truth in alien abduction and cold fusion, homeopathy and world overpopulation, recovered momories and conspiracy theories Michael Shermer and his team of scientists and scholars have created an open-minded two-volume set that gives evidence both for and against extraordinary theories. Four A-Z sections examine these phenomena from different perspectives. Contemporary analyses investigate alternative medicine, satanic ritual abuse, cryonic and the Bible code. Case studies look in-depth at police psychics, creationism, recovered memories and the search for Noah's ark. Pro and con debates between experts explore alien abduction, race and sports and the JFK lone assassin theory. Historical documents excerpt Benjamin Franklin and Antoine Lavoisier's report on mesmerism and the Condon Report on UFOs. Each entry closes with a bibliography of books on that subject, from both believers perspectives.

Reviews

"[T]he treatment afforded the topics covered in this encyclopedia is serious ... The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience is one of those sets in which the fascination value may equal its reference use ... without a doubt, many people are captivated with the issues discussed in this work." - Against the Grain "A careful reading ... should be required of all who wish to get a university degree ... In the Internet age ... people ... should make every effort toward two goals: To spread good scientific metionads for evaluating truth claims, and to help nurture enlightened traditional worldviews... This set does much in the direction of acheiving the first goal." - American Reference Books Annual

Author Bio

Michael Shermer is editor and publisher of The Skeptic magazine, a regular columnist for Scientific American, and director of the Skeptic Society.