Product Description

A wealth of evidence for doubters and disbelievers

"Whether it′s the latest shark cartilage scam, or some new ′repressed memory′ idiocy that besets you, I suggest you carry a copy of this dictionary at all times, or at least have it within reach as first aid for psychic attacks. We need all the help we can get."
–James Randi, President, James Randi Educational Foundation, randi.org

"From alternative medicine, aliens, and psychics to the farthest shores of science and beyond, Robert Carroll presents a fascinating look at some of humanity′s most strange and wonderful ideas. Refreshing and witty, both believers and unbelievers will find this compendium complete and captivating. Buy this book and feed your head!"
–Clifford Pickover, author of The Stars of Heaven and Dreaming the Future

"A refreshing compendium of clear thinking, a welcome and potent antidote to the reams of books on the supernatural and pseudoscientific."
–John Allen Paulos, author of Innumeracy and A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper

"This book covers an amazing range of topics and can protect many people from being scammed."
–Stephen Barrett, M.D., quackwatch.org

Featuring close to 400 definitions, arguments, and essays on topics ranging from acupuncture to zombies, The Skeptic′s Dictionary is a lively, commonsense trove of detailed information on all things supernatural, occult, paranormal, and pseudoscientific. It covers such categories as alternative medicine; cryptozoology; extraterrestrials and UFOs; frauds and hoaxes; junk science; logic and perception; New Age energy; and the psychic. For the open–minded seeker, the soft or hardened skeptic, and the believing doubter, this book offers a remarkable range of information that puts to the test the best arguments of true believers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #109381 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 446 pages

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)

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)

Short Book Reviews, Vol.24, No.3, December 2004
"...offers a remarkable range of information that puts to the test the best arguments of true believers..."

Customer Reviews

A Necessary Book (My spirit guide told me so)
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.

A good grounding in critical thinking.
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.

Great read
I enjoyed this book. The author does not pretend that he has conducted deep research into the topics discussed. The book merely applies philosophical rationalism to debunk the fantasies of those people who believe irrationalism is an adequate method of forming beliefs.