Headlines and television news reports feature accounts of reincarnation, the predictions of astrologers, and psychic "miracles." Citizens report UFO sightings. Police departments call on psychics to provide clues in baffling crimes. From every available information source, the public is bombarded with unsubstantiated claims of paranormal phenomena. How much of the evidence is reliable? What is the truth behind these claims? Paranormal Borderlands of Science is an exciting, well-informed examination of the most publicized and exotic claims of astrology, ESP, psychokinesis, precognition, UFOs, biorhythms, and other phenomena. Written by respected psychologists, astronomers and other scientists, philosophers, investigative journalists, and magicians, the 47 articles in this superb collection present a skeptical treatment of pseudoscientific claims - an aspect often sorely neglected in sensationalized media reports. This book is an effort to help readers sort fact from fiction and sense from nonsense among the astonishing variety of assertions labeled "paranormal." Never before published in book form, the essays in this anthology originally appeared in the Skeptical Inquirer, a leading magazine devoted to the critical investigation of pseudoscience from a scientific viewpoint. Among the contributors are: Isaac Asimov (distinguished science fiction author), Martin Gardner (Scientific American columnist), James Randi (The Amazing Randi), Philip Klass (noted UFO skeptic), Scot Morris (Omni), and James Oberg (NASA). An essential contribution to skeptical literature, this book will be of lasting value to all those wishing to balance the case for paranormal claims by reading the dissenting critics.

For more than thirty years, Skeptical Inquirer has steadfastly championed science and reason, and has been the leading voice for reliable scientific examination of the paranormal and other questionable claims popularized by the media and mass culture. In this collection of outstanding articles, editor Kendrick Frazier has selected some of the best writing on topics of current interest. Among the highlights are: - "A Skeptical Look at September 11th," which prompted a drove of responses (many angry) and was selected by Richard Dawkins for the Best Science and Nature Writing of 2003. - Carl Sagan's final question-and-answer piece on the topic of science and skeptical inquiry. - Ann Druyan's beautifully expressed "Science, Religion, Wonder, and Awe." - NASA scientist Stuart Jordan's excellent appraisal of the scientific evidence for global warming, which prompted much critical response and led to another follow-up article. - Perspectives by Judge John E. Jones III, Barbara Forrest, David Morrison, Massimo Pigliucci, and Charles Sullivan and Cameron McPherson Smith on the evolution vs. intelligent design controversy. - Articles by physicians Steven Novella and Richard G. Judelsohn that strongly defend the value of vaccinations and critique the anti-vaccination movement. Additional distinguished contributors include Mario Bunge, Martin Gardner, Paul Kurtz, Chris Mooney, Steven Pinker, Ray Hyman, Joe Nickell, and many others. This collection of stimulating articles exploring science and skeptical inquiry, examining public controversies, and investigating pseudoscientific claims is a must for scientists, educators, skeptics, and everyone concerned about scientific literacy.

Issued on the 25th anniversary of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), this book brings together personal statements by the leading skeptics of the world. CSICOP, the first major organization of skeptics on the contemporary scene, is worldwide in scope and is dedicated to the skeptical evaluation of both paranormal and religious claims in the light of scientific inquiry. All of the articles are original and written especially for this collection. Many pieces are autobiographical; others reflect on the current state of research into paranormal claims. The contributors focus on ESP and parapsychology, astrology, UFOlogy, the difference between science and pseudoscience, alternative medicine, magic, near-death experiences, spiritual energy, Bible codes, and religious claims that purport to have empirical foundations. Among the thirty-seven distinguished contributors are Martin Gardner (former columnist for "Scientific American"), Leon Jaroff (former science editor of "Time"), Philip J. Klass (the leading UFO skeptic), Antony Flew (noted British philosopher), Kendrick Frazier (editor of the" Skeptical Inquirer"), the late Steve Allen (noted author, comedian, and television pioneer), Bill Nye ("The Science Guy"), Jean-Claude Pecker (one of France's leading astronomers), Joe Nickell (paranormal investigator), Susan J. Blackmore (parapsychologist), Eugenie Scott (critic of "creationism"), among others. Contributors come from the USA, Canada, Britain, France, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Mexico, and Russia. This is a unique and exciting history of the current skeptical movement.

"At Last – A Skeptical Book that’s not just Informative, but FUN to read! For more than thirty years, Robert Sheaffer’s Psychic Vibrations column has been entertaining readers of The Skeptical Inquirer, while keeping them informed of weird developments in the “science” of UFOs, psychic research, Cryptozoology, etc. Those columns are gathered together here, organized by subject, to inform and amuse the reader. With 150 humorous illustrations by cartoonist Rob Pudim A scientific expedition searches for Mermaids in the South Pacific. A Saucer Crashes – in Central Park! A mad UFOlogist tries to poison local officials by spreading radioactive materials around them because he thinks they’re covering up a UFO crash! Sure, you can read about Alien Crop Circles in plenty of books. But where else can you read about: Alien Carpet Circles, made by the indoor landing of tiny UFOs? A secret government project hiding shocking photos - of Noah’s Ark? Creationist attacks not only on evolution, but on heliocentrism, too? Who teaches students to distinguish between Creation Rocks and Flood Rocks? Which has stronger psychic powers: Uri Geller, or a dead hamster? It’s all here, folks. Nowhere else. And it’s all true (meaning that the author didn’t make it up). And remember: "Millions of cuddly household pets are really space aliens""--Back cover. description.

Do polygraph tests really detect lies? Can memories be implanted? Is subliminal perception a reality? What is the relationship between science and belief?Experts in the fields of physical/biological science, psychology, philosophy, social science, and forensic science bring their perspectives to controversies that affect the way we think and how we perceive reality and the natural world. From science's influence on beauty to antiscience in our universities and from UFO mythologies to near-death experiences, this volume spans the gamut of pseudoscience today.Contributors include James Alcock, Susan Blackmore, Alan Cromer, Mandy Fowler, Christopher C. French, Martin Gardner, Thomas Gilovich, Theodore Goertzel, Paul R. Gross, Peter Huston, Ray Hyman, Noretta Koertge, Paul Kurtz, Dan Larhammar, Leon M. Lederman, James Lett, Norman Levitt, Scott O. Lilienfeld, Elizabeth Loftus, Lee Loevinger, Katy McCarthy, Joe Nickell, Bernard Oritz de Montellano, Debbie Peers, Anthony Pratkanis, Carl Sagan, Kenneth Savitsky, Glenn Seaborg, Elie Shneour, Matthew Smith, Victor Stenger, Jeffrey F. Victor, Jeff Wiseman, and Richard Wiseman.

UNREASON: Exploring Pseudoscience, Conspiracies, and Extraordinary Claims is a collection of forty-five of the best articles the legendary Skeptical Inquirer magazine has published in the past decade. Featuring articles from writers including Neil deGrasse Tyson on the process of science, Richard Dawkins on the standards of truth, Elizabeth Loftus on memory, Steven Pinker on the notion of progress, and many others covering topics from the politicization of science to the frightening rise of misinformation, each entry in this collection se scientific examination to bear in order to ferret out the facts and misconceptions behind popular claims. All of the articles within are interesting and readable. Yet they are also quite diverse. Some articles reinforce and complement each other; others (as happens in science) may voice disagreements or differing perspectives. But they all have one thing in common: a respect for evidence--a demand for the best, most well-tested, most scientifically reliable information. Readers will learn: Why and how conspiracy rumors start, spread, and readily gain believers How to stay afloat in a sea of disinformation and survive the age of misinformation Why and how we form beliefs and adhere to them so powerfully How and why memory is fallible--and what we can do about it How pseudoexperiments mislead the public about science Unreason will arm readers with scientific knowledge to curb the misinformation and misconceptions that increasingly threaten our civil discourse. Even further, these essays present a way for us to be better citizens, equipped to deal with the winds of misinformation and disinformation swirling about us and better able to look ahead to a world where science and reason--indeed just good old common sense--can prevail.