About this title: The publisher of Skeptic magazine argues that the search for meaning and spiritual fulfillment often results in the embracing of extraordinary claims and controversial ideas, discussing a variety of pseudoscientific ideas and superstitions that promote spiritual beliefs.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: SOUVENIR PRESS
Date Published: 2007
ISBN-13:9780285638037ISBN:0285638033
Description: Published by Souvenir Press in 2007. Paperback. Number of pages: 384. Condition: Good. Used book but in Good Condition for sensible price. Shipped from UK. Delivery is usually 2-3 working days from order by Royal Mail, International Delivery is by Airmail. read more
Description: Good. Well-read copies that are still intact, in good condition, and very usable. May contain some highlighting and notes. Revised Used-Good. read more
Edition: Revised ed.
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780805070897ISBN:0805070893
Description: Fine. No dust jacket as issued. Nice clean copy with minimal wear to edges. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 368 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Book Softcover
Publisher: W.H. Freeman and Company
Date Published: 1998
ISBN-13:9780965594875ISBN:0965594874
Description: Like New. 1998 softcover, book is very tight, covers are fine except for slight curl to front upper R/H corner, no crease to spine, no markings, NOT an xlib copy. read more
Description: Good. Size: 8.42; Revised Edition 2002. Holt Paperbacks. Paperback. Edge and corner wear. Gift inscription inside cover. No store stamps or other writings. read more
Description: Good. 0805070893 US STUDENT EDITION. BOOK IS A GOOD CONDITION. WILL SHIP WITHIN 24 HOURS WITH DELIVERY CONFORMATION AND TRACKING NUMBER. read more
Description: GOOD. Trade Paperback-9780805070897 [SHERMER, MICHAEL] WHY PEOPLE BELIEVE WEIRD THINGS: PSEUDOSCIENCE, SUPERSTITION, AND OTHER CO. read more
Edition: Reprint
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: W. H. Freeman/Owl Books/Henry Holt and Company, United States
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780805070897ISBN:0805070893
Description: Near Fine. A real nice copy with a foreword by Stephen Jay Gould that has a corner crease on the lower back side of the wrap. read more
Description: Fine; Collectible. Excellent condition. No writings/underlines/highlights. Pages are very nice and clean. Satisfaction guaranteed! Fast! read more
"This is a very interesting book, discussing among other things, creationism, witch trials, feedback loops, alien abductions, near death experiences, and psychics. How they take people in, and why people want to believe them, and what's really going on. It also has an easy reference of logical fallacies that people use to prove their poor points as true. I always enjoy rereading this, and have referred to it more than once."
"It's a pretty interesting discussion of the things people continue to believe even though they aren't true, and the ways that intelligent people rationalize errors in thoughts. With short chapters on UFOs, ESP, ghosts, and alien abductions, and longer, more detailed discussions on creation science and holocaust denial, Shermer discusses both the science behind the arguments and also the psychology of the people who work to spread these ideas. It's a little densely written at times, but Shermer has a sense of humor and a passion for knowledge that's engaging even when I'm fighting my way through it. Worth reading."
"I give this book 5 stars because it will not let me give it 6. This book changed my life in that it allowed me to understand, maybe for the first time, why people think what they think; and how to differentiate between "thinking" and "believing." This book details the human thought process and how people interact with ideas and why, tragically, we believe stupid, stupid things.
The book attacks the "repressed memories" movement, explaining not only why the method was garbage, but why it was so persuasive for so long. It also discusses the "hysteria" loop and why its so... common. But the most telling sections are on religion loops and the thought process of Holocaust denial. regardless of the subject, the underpinning is WHY people think what they think and how we catch ourselves in avoiding those pitfalls.
I cannot do this book justice, but it is simply the most important book I have read in my young adult life. It changed the way I looked at concepts, ideas and the vulgar idea of people who say such trash as "Well I believe X so its how I live." A few months after I read the book, we elected a man who lived his life saying "I believe what I believe and that's it." And George W. Bush proved that EVERYONE should read this book so we never elect another dimwit like that."
"I feel that I should take this opportunity to point out that my user-defined category 'bathroom books' is meant to describe just this sort of book: a collection of well-written and provocative essays or chapters that can be easily digested one-at-a-time in five to ten minute readings. To be sure, the category may inspire snickering or the belief that such literature is trite and intellectually incoherent. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is nothing pejorative or evaluative about bathroom books; they serve a definite purpose and I challenge you to find a bathroom without reading material. Indeed, we should embrace the concept of the 'bathroom book' and share our recommendations more freely. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some "business reading" to attend to."
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