The Skeptic's Dictionary by Robert Todd Carroll, 0471272426, Lowest Book Price Finder

Customer Reviews:

Take this book for what it is.

Despite the comments to the contrary, this is not a book about debunking. It is a glossary of paranormal terms explained from a skeptics point of view. On that count it is excellent. The terms included are surprisingly broad and there definitions are concise. This is a true coffee table book. If you want a deeper text on the subject I recommend any of the work by James Randi.

In one of the other reviewers defense Mr. Carroll is not in fact an expert in the paranormal. But since the laws of the paranormal change everyday it's kind of hard to become an expert.

Excellent

I love this book. It is an entertaining list of information exposing the frauds that convince so many people. No wonder some people come out in spots seeing their favorite vanities and conceits outted.

Great read

I enjoyed this book. The author does not pretend that he has conducted deep research into the topics discussed. The book merely applies philosophical rationalism to debunk the fantasies of those people who believe irrationalism is an adequate method of forming beliefs.

Stop believing in mumbo-jumbo, and live life without fear!

This is an enjoyable book and is helping me to overcome my fears of the supernatural.

All Carroll does is point out that, to date, whenever paranormal phenomena and abilities have been put to the test (controlled studies), they have very rarely shown anything better than chance results.

Carroll also stresses that a lot of stuff is simply in the observer's mind. The Ouija board, for instance, tells you what's in the depths of your mind, not what some "spirit" thinks. The reason people frighten themselves silly is that they don't often like to find out what lurks beneath. The unconscious mind is often best left at that - unconscious.

Again: a crystal is a piece of glass for Heaven's sake. How can that heal anybody of anything?

Finally, he points out the many logical fallacies, e.g., post hoc reasoning, that believers use to justify their beliefs. Just because your results improve after donning a magnetic bracelet is not proof of a causal connection - they dip and rise naturally, and the placebo effect is well known.

AWFUL! THIS BOOK IS VAGUE AND MISINFORMED TO SAY THE LEAST!

Never have I come across such a poorly written book. Each entry claims to 'expose' the given subject as nonsense and yet it gives NO evidence to back it up whatsoever! It takes very broad subjects, which clearly have not been looked at in any depth, and then seems to make up just about any kind of mocking argument to 'prove' that it is wrong. This book masquerades under the name of truth but if you read it you will see that it is the personal opinions of a few people being reeled off the top of their heads! There is no evidence, no facts and no unbiased statements to be found anywhere in this book. The authors come from the standpoint that all these things simply MUST be false, and then make up the most trite arguments to support their premise. This approach is not my idea of serious investigation into unknown subjects. It is the kind of material you'd expect school children to write! If you are looking for the truth behind strange phenomena then I suggest you look elsewhere as this book is clearly written by people who have done zero research and are merely touting their personal opinions. Personally, I do not stand one way or another on the subjects in this book and thought it might be intersting to see what is really behind these strage topics. What I in fact found was something of a cheap tabloid nature and I could have become better informed if I'd read a cereal box! This book is not 'reasearch' in any manner and I'd give zero stars if I could! If you want serious arguments for & against the unknown then don't waste your money on this nonsense.

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