Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Dover Publications (1957), Edition: 2, Paperback, 373 pages
Description
This fair and witty appraisal examines some of the crazes and quackeries that have masqueraded as science. Discussions include hollow earth theories; Charles Fort and the Fortean Society; Wilhelm Reich and orgone sex energy; dianetics; flying saucers; food and medical fads; much more. "A very able and even-tempered presentation." -- The New Yorker.
User reviews
LibraryThing member psiloiordinary
A classic of the genre. A witty and engaging exploration of human gullibility.
Written in 1956 the author would be disappointed to note that gullibility is still around and indeed many of the types of woo he exposes as such are still around and still fleecing those unable to use critical thinking
In fact some of the woo factories have gone on to expand their influence ( and their bank balances ) beyond any recognition from the fifties.
Scientology in particular is exposed as tosh and yet here we are with their vastly swollen coffers funding a worldwide expansion programme.
Well written in an easy to read and engaging style, the best of the early days of scepticism.
I will be getting more of his books.
Written in 1956 the author would be disappointed to note that gullibility is still around and indeed many of the types of woo he exposes as such are still around and still fleecing those unable to use critical thinking
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skills to protect themselves.In fact some of the woo factories have gone on to expand their influence ( and their bank balances ) beyond any recognition from the fifties.
Scientology in particular is exposed as tosh and yet here we are with their vastly swollen coffers funding a worldwide expansion programme.
Well written in an easy to read and engaging style, the best of the early days of scepticism.
I will be getting more of his books.
Show Less
LibraryThing member g026r
An interesting and enjoyable read, but like the somewhat similarly themed Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds it suffers from a few noteworthy issues.
The first is the lack of references. Quotes occur often, but the exact location they are drawn from is not always attributed.
The second is that, nearly 60 years after the first edition and more than 50 since the second, the book is quite simply dated. Many cultural references that would have been common knowledge in 1952 whiz by without nary a spark in the memory. The same goes for various fads that are referenced with the expectation that the reader knows what they are, but not covered in more detail.
In summary: interesting, but desperately in need of an editor to go through and add explanatory notes for those of us who weren't alive in the early '50s or commentary for when various facets of the information presented have changed drastically.
Amusing side-note: the number of science fiction authors and editors, often fairly recognizable names, who show up in here as proponents of the various beliefs is certainly something.
The first is the lack of references. Quotes occur often, but the exact location they are drawn from is not always attributed.
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Now, I will admit that I'm unlikely to track down any of the works mentioned (OK, maybe some of the Hollow Earth ones), but at the same time a reference as to where and when a quote was stated would make the book seem a bit less light and allow a somewhat better chronological structuring of the surveyed cranks' changes in opinions.The second is that, nearly 60 years after the first edition and more than 50 since the second, the book is quite simply dated. Many cultural references that would have been common knowledge in 1952 whiz by without nary a spark in the memory. The same goes for various fads that are referenced with the expectation that the reader knows what they are, but not covered in more detail.
In summary: interesting, but desperately in need of an editor to go through and add explanatory notes for those of us who weren't alive in the early '50s or commentary for when various facets of the information presented have changed drastically.
Amusing side-note: the number of science fiction authors and editors, often fairly recognizable names, who show up in here as proponents of the various beliefs is certainly something.
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LibraryThing member Devil_llama
Martin Gardner, always delightful, in his seminal work. This book has withstood the passage of time, partly because many of the fallacies he describes have managed to continue in spite of being evidence free. Highly recommend reading this book, especially if you believe that the aura of nonsense
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surrounding the world is something that's risen very recently. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1957
Physical description
384 p.; 7.8 inches
ISBN
0486203948 / 9780486203942