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Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing Hoax (Bad Science)
 
 
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Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing Hoax (Bad Science) (Paperback)

by Philip C. Plait (Author) "Consider the humble chicken egg ..." (more)
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
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Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing Hoax (Bad Science) + Bad Science + Quirkology: The Curious Science of Everyday Lives
Price For All Three: £17.33

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Product Description

Review
Inspired by his popular web site, www. badastronomy.com, this first book by Plait (astronomy, Sonoma State Univ.) debunks popular myths and misconceptions relating to astronomy and promotes science as a means of explaining our mysterious heavens. The work describes 24 common astronomical fallacies, including the beliefs that the Coriolis effect determines the direction that water drains in a bathtub and that planetary alignments can cause disaster on Earth. The author sharply and convincingly dismisses astrology, creationism, and UFO sightings and explains the principles behind basic general concepts (the Big Bang, why the sky is blue, etc.). Though some may find him strident, Plait succeeds brilliantly because his clear and understandable explanations are convincing and honest. This first volume in Wiley′s "Bad Science" series is recommended for all libraries, especially astronomy and folklore collections. Jeffrey Beall, Univ. of Colorado Lib., Denver (Library Journal, March 15, 2002)

"...everything′s beautifully explained. He gives the neatest explanation of tides I′ve ever seen...for that alone, this book should be in every school library on the planet." (New Scientist, 4 May 2002)

"...the book might be a better student introduction than many more sober tomes..." (Times Higher Education Supplement, 7 June 2002)

"Bad Astronomy is a book which is both timely and welcome. I would recommend it without hesitation, and I have no doubt that it will be widely read..." (The Observatory, October 2002)

For skeptics, always fans of science: The first two books in a series devoted to "bad science," Bad Astronomy by Philip Plait and Bad Medicine (Wiley, $15.95) by Christopher Wanjek, may warm even a Scrooge′s heart. In short chapters, Plait tackles misperceptions about why the moon looks larger on the horizon and why stars twinkle before moving on, dismantling conspiracy kooks who doubt the moon landing and offering a top 10 list of bad science moments in movie history. Wanjek, a science writer who has also written jokes for The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live, takes an edgy and funny tack in debunking myths such as humans using only 10% of their brains, the utility of "anti–bacterial" toys and the safety of "natural" herbal remedies, ones often loaded with powerful chemicals. (USA TODAY, December 3, 2002)

"...a good read...Plait′s book is readable, entertaining, not exclusively for astronomers, and often very funny..." (Astronomy & Space, June 2003)

"...a great book to dip into..." (Popular Astronomy, January 2004)

Review
"The author sharply and convincingly dismisses astrology, creationism, and UFO sightings.... Plait succeeds brilliantly because his clear and understandable explanations are convincing and honest." (Library Journal, March 15, 2002)

"...everything′s beautifully explained. He gives the neatest explanation of tides I′ve ever seen...for that alone, this book should be in every school library on the planet." (New Scientist, 4 May 2002)

"...the book might be a better student introduction than many more sober tomes..." (Times Higher Education Supplement, 7 June 2002)

"Bad Astronomy is a book which is both timely and welcome. I would recommend it without hesitation, and I have no doubt that it will be widely read..." (The Observatory, October 2002)

"...a good read...Plait′s book is readable, entertaining, not exclusively for astronomers, and often very funny..." (Astronomy & Space, June 2003)

"...a great book to dip into..." (Popular Astronomy, January 2004)

See all Product Description

Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
Consider the humble chicken egg. Read the first page
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
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4 star:
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3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Astronomy!, 20 Mar 2004
By SecretSweets (Caxias, Portugal) - See all my reviews
  
This book is a must if you have had enough of old wives tales about why the sky is blue and how the moon affects the tides. Plait explains many many astronomical misconceptions in a very intelligent yet entertaining way. Here is a wonderful way to teach your kids (and yourself) why summer turns to autumn, why stars twinkle and why the world did not end during the Great Planetary Alignment of 2000. This book also examines the moon landing hoax, which I found highly amusing.

Even if you are not into astronomy, this book is one that will make you laugh at some of the tall tales you were told in your youth regarding the planets, the moon and the stars. The added bonus is these fun facts are written by an intelligent 'astronomer, teacher, lecturer and all-around science junkie' who works in the physics and astronomy department at Sonoma State University. I think it's safe to say that this man knows his stuff!

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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Throw back your head and marvel!, 6 Mar 2003
This is for anyone who's ever looked up and wondered. I was thrilled by not only this book's content but the amount that my tired old brain absorbed. Welcome to a thrilling journey about science FACT. On the way a few tall tales (we've all told them - aware or not) will be dismissed. Interjected with cutting humour that made me laugh out loud. You'll want to not only quote this to your friends but actually read it to them.
Want to impress us with your wisdom? Read this! Now just why is the sky blue? You should know. Come on, we should ALL know.
I also caught BAD MEDICINE. Joy!
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent coverage of the misconceptions we have, 23 Mar 2002
By hat@dbestern.com (Yorkshire, UK) - See all my reviews
Plait does it well, even on his website. He admits his mistakes and ruthlessly attacks those spreading false wisdom, even stopping for the easy mopping up of the common misconceptions. Anybody with a remote interest in astronomy would do well to obtain a copy of Bad Astronomy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Moon Landing Hoax
I bought this book, based on the good reviews. The main interest for me would be the "Moon Landing Hoax", as a photographer I was eager to read arguments that the Apollo... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Digitalan

5.0 out of 5 stars Kieran Jordon-Price, President of Absolutley Nothing, and Winner of Absolutley No Awards.
Im a complete layman in terms of science, but i wholeheartedly recommend buying this book. One of the best reads I've had in my lifetime. Well done Mr Plait!
Published 22 months ago by Kieran Jordon-price

4.0 out of 5 stars Yes, it's good to be bad !
Misunderstanding the laws of nature will often bring misery to people, in terms of loosing money, faith or opportunity. Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2006 by Normann Aaboe Nielsen

5.0 out of 5 stars This Astronomer is Bad!
Phil Plait is an astronomer who got fed up with the misconceptions surrounding his subject, and he has set out to rectify the situation. He has succeeded. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2004 by T. Walker

4.0 out of 5 stars Bab Astronomy is a very good read
Very well argued, and well explained, rebuttal of some of the old wives tales, misconceptions, and Conspiracy Theorists beliefs. Read more
Published on 22 Jul 2002 by John D Jackson

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