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Review
“…offers a remarkable range of information that puts to the test the best arguments of true believers…” (Short Book Reviews, Vol.24, No.3, December 2004)
“… I found myself engrossed in the information due to its vast collection of interesting entries…” (M2 Best Books, 22 March 2004)
"...Use this book as protection against attacks by New Agers, alternative therapists and others who have chosen to abandon reason..." (The Times, 25 October 2003)
"...Carroll is always interested in why such beliefs occur and points generously t further literature..." (The Guardian, 18 October 2003)
"...Anyone wanting an informed opinion with which to smack down an argumentative pal should start here..." (Dorset Echo, 25 October 2003)
"...A treat to savour...first reaction is pleasurable incredulity and occasional hilarity... an amazing assembly, elegantly written and level–headed...likely to be used so often it is a pity it is a softback book..." (New Scientist)
"...No reasonable, logic–based library will be without a copy!" (Good Book Guide, March 2004)
M2 Best Books, 22 March 2004
"...I found myself engrossed in the information due to its vast collection of interesting entries..."
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Put the crystals away, snuff out the ear candles, let the dolphins swim on their own for a while, and read this book. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of beliefs that are being peddled these days then you have a use for the Skeptic's Dictionary. There is a great deal of information in here that will benefit the honest enquirer, answering questions, exposing lies, illustrating pit-falls and prompting further investigation. The style of writing and the format make it very readable, the content makes it worthwhile. You may be surprised at the breadth of subjects touched upon, you may even find some of your own pet beliefs challenged, but the challenge is to think, to reason, to understand, not just to engage in an exchange of assertions.
Bob Carroll describes himself as a "hardened skeptic" and makes no attempt to give equal weight to both sides of the debate, that isn't why he wrote the book, but the text is lively and humorous, not hectoring. I hope that the Skeptic's Dictionary will find its way into school libraries, no one will be impoverished by exposing themselves to this kind of critical approach and a few may be saved the pain and disillusionment of being duped, or the worse fate of becoming permanently gullible.
41 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If, like me, you have ever found your self in an argument, either with a peddler or believer, of some bizarre, non-sensical or illucid ideology, cult or quackery and needed some ammunition, then Carroll's book is for you.
While no subject is covered in fine detail, it is comprehensive, with everything, from new-age spirituality and the supernatural to paranoid conspiracy theorists covered, it provides a rich antidote to the flood of ill-thought and delusional beliefs that plague us daily.
With the popular media, uncritically promoting new-age fads (homeopathy etc.) or recycling old ones (psychic crime solvers), there is too little literature, championing critical thought and objective analysis. This book is just a part of the small canon of work that sets out to present a reasoned response to the fuzzy-thinking and self-deception that is passed off as spiritual truth.
I doubt whether it will manage to change the mind of many a true-believer, in fact that's not the author's purpose. It is more of an overview of what currently held beliefs and fallacies and their counter-arguments. Hopefully it will enable a person, unsure of what to make of the claims they are faced with, to make a more informed decision and also to strengthen the argument and thinking of the casual skeptic.
My only criticism of the book is purely on the low-grade quality of some of the images inside, a minor point as the strength of the book comes purely from the text.
While no subject is covered in fine detail, it is comprehensive, with everything, from new-age spirituality and the supernatural to paranoid conspiracy theorists covered, it provides a rich antidote to the flood of ill-thought and delusional beliefs that plague us daily.
With the popular media, uncritically promoting new-age fads (homeopathy etc.) or recycling old ones (psychic crime solvers), there is too little literature, championing critical thought and objective analysis. This book is just a part of the small canon of work that sets out to present a reasoned response to the fuzzy-thinking and self-deception that is passed off as spiritual truth.
I doubt whether it will manage to change the mind of many a true-believer, in fact that's not the author's purpose. It is more of an overview of what currently held beliefs and fallacies and their counter-arguments. Hopefully it will enable a person, unsure of what to make of the claims they are faced with, to make a more informed decision and also to strengthen the argument and thinking of the casual skeptic.
My only criticism of the book is purely on the low-grade quality of some of the images inside, a minor point as the strength of the book comes purely from the text.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An endlessly amusing and educational lucky dip!
This book is an absolute delight!
It is in the form of a dictionary or is it more appropriately an encyclopaedia? Read more
It is in the form of a dictionary or is it more appropriately an encyclopaedia? Read more
Published 7 months ago by bobbycow
Excellent
I love this book. It is an entertaining list of information exposing the frauds that convince so many people. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2006 by Tom Wise
Great read
I enjoyed this book. The author does not pretend that he has conducted deep research into the topics discussed. Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2005
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... Read more
Published on 27 April 2005 by Tamsin Jones
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! Read more
Published on 14 April 2005
Tripe
Carroll seems too consider himself a expert on various elements of the paranormal when he sets out too debunk it (this is not skepticism more of a debunking exercise of sorts in my... Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2005
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