Astrology: True or False? : A Scientific Evaluation [Paperback]

Roger B. Culver (Author), Philip A. Ianna (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1988

Contemporary astrologers claim that their craft is scientifically based and rationally consistent, and above all, that 'astrology works' - a belief shared by millions, including highly visible political and media personalities. As a result, the practice of consulting the stars for advice has never been more popular - or more dangerous. Professional astronomers Roger B Culver and Philip A Ianna have produced a highly readable and well-referenced response to the claims of astrologers. This book points out the glaring inconsistencies associated with the basic concepts of 'modern' astrology - from the zodiac itself to the fabled 'Age of Aquarius'. Tracing humanity's historical fascination with the heavens that produced the celestial 'twins' of astronomy and astrology, the authors leave little doubt concerning the difference between astronomical science and astrological art form.This book offers a complete and extensive summary of available evidence on astrology's basic definitions, concepts, and effectiveness. The authors' research revealed thousands of predictions gone 'bust' - from the start of World War III to claims about the existence of an 'anti-Earth' orbiting on the other side of the sun. They studied the famous 'twenty-year cycle' of presidential death and disaster, the 'moon cycles' of crime and murder in major cities, and the incidences of major personality traits in certain sun signs. Their conclusions, while disappointing to the determined believer in astrology, are nevertheless refreshingly rational.

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books; Revised edition (September 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879754834
• ISBN-13: 978-0879754839
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #636,481 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading, October 22, 2001

By 

Sandy Sprong (Ottawa, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Astrology: True or False? : A Scientific Evaluation (Paperback)

Astrology: True or False? is an easy to read scientific evaluation. You don't need to have an understanding of how astrology is perceived to work. You'll quickly get a grip on the basics by reading the early chapters. Arguments are logical and backed-up by scientific evidence rather than assertion or hearsay. Required reading for all critical thinkers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ASTROLOGY IS NOT A SCIENCE, September 17, 2010

By 

James L. Park "James Leonard Park" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Astrology: True or False? : A Scientific Evaluation (Paperback)

Roger B. Culver & Phillip A. Ianna
Astrology: True or False? A Scientific Evaluation

(Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books, 1988) 228 pages
(Library of Congress call number: BF1713.C84x 1988)

This book goes into the science of astronomy much more fully
than other books looking into the claims of astrology.
The folklore now known as astrology grew out of star-gazing,
long before astronomy learned how the universe really works.
So the astrological picture of the universe is wrong in a number of ways.
And there is no scientific basis for claims of correlations
between events in the 'sky' and events on the planet Earth.
Whenever the predictions of astrology
have been subjected to rigorous scientific tests, they have failed.
This book will be read with profit by anyone interested
in the scientific evaluation of the claims of astrology.

If you would like to discover other such books,
search for a bibliography on the Internet using this expression:
"OCCULTISM AND SCIENCE".

James Leonard Park, skeptic

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm an astrologer...., December 5, 2011

By 

Keeping It Real - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Astrology: True or False? : A Scientific Evaluation (Paperback)

...and was impressed by this book. Don't get me wrong, it didn't change my position that astrology is "true" even a little bit. However, this is the only anti-astrology work that didn't infuriate me with assuming, pompous authors. Their well researched arguments and sincere approach earned my respect and are among the best out there. You will get a plethora of additional value from this also, if you are a layman lover of science. But, yes, I'm still an ardent supporter of astrology. This book is a resource that lets me fight back against the best. Though many will be tempted to accept it as such, this book is not the last word on the subject.