Customer Reviews

Fringes of Reason Whole Earth

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Though billed as something of a guide to various eccentric views and kooks generally, this is not so much a "freak show" (as is, say, Stang's "High Weirdness by Mail") as it is a painless introduction to critical thinking on such subjects. Mostly skeptical in outlook, it does have material on what appear to be genuine mysteries -- for example, the best short review of spontaneous human combustion I've seen. Also a nice short piece on the real (so to speak) "Men in Black" (before the movie ...), and a very entertaining and lucid explanation of a common pyramid scam in New Age clothing.

Lots of illustrations and sidebars on further reading in the style of the old Whole Earth Catalog and CoEvolution Quarterly. Individual articles seem very well researched.

The Fringes of Reason is an unique look at religious cults and movements in the US. Organized in the style of "The Last Whole Earth Catolog," the books highlights such movements as occultism and shamanism, along with such sects as one which believes John F. Kennedy is God (I'm not kidding). A nicely logical,reasonable look at religion and its stranger manifestations.

I have an extensive and eclectic library, from classical literature to contemporary science, Gary Larson cartoons and rock and roll biographies, but only one book has earned a place on my coffee table year after year... the wonderful "Fringes of Reason."

I love to pick it up and let it fall open to some amazing new tidbit that unfailingly causes me to laugh at (with?) the endearing foolishness of my species. This book is a treasure trunk simply brimming over with short articles, photographs and diagrams, each more riveting than the next, of witty, skeptical yet affectionate reporting on the absurdities of human pseudoscience.

The book is far TOO affectionate to serve as a true skeptical encyclopedia. Since its publication, the field of skeptical literature has blossomed; there have been many far more rigorous and properly debunking analyses of the weird and supernatural. But none is so sweetly entertaining. I love this book.

Where and who is Ted Schultz? I insist he update this book! One can't read "Fringes of Reason" and not burn to know what the "fringe folk" are up to in the 21st century.

It is hard to put down this book. It is totally incredible how gullible people can be and the things people are willing to accept that are pure fantasy. You have no idea of the crazy beliefs that people have until you read this book. It was written before the rise of extreme Islam but I think it helps one understand how malignant software which in the case of extreme Islam is capable of totally taking over one's mind. The book covers a very wide range of beliefs with a very rational approach to the subject. My conclusion after reading this book is that human beings love to believe things which are not true. This is all contrary to my training because in science we are taught the opposite (I graduated from the university with a major in biology). I don't think there exists a similar book on this subject. I highly recommend reading this book. It was originally an issue of the Whole Earth Review.

This is interesting if you have curiosity about the paranormal and the quirky side of pseudo-science. Not as good a read as "The Great Mambo Chicken and the Transhuman Condition" by Ed Regis. More a reference book than an analysis.

Published in 1989, this lighthearted yet quite intellectually rigorous publication was begun as a special issue of the Whole Earth Review in 1986, and proved so popular that Ted Schulz and his wife Rebecca Wilson turned it into a book.

Opting to "go for thoroughness of coverage of selected topics rather than an exhaustive but superficial approach," the authors delve into a variety of "New Age" and/or Occult topics, via articles written by a variety of persons giving the general overview, and abundant "sidebars" giving information about books and publications of interest.

Topics included range from "Crystal Power," to "Dowsing," to "Spontaneous Human Combustion," to the Flat Earth Movement, to Bigfoot, to UFOs, to the so-called "Hundredth Monkey" phenomenon, to the "Church of the Subgenius." Although the book's orientation is clearly towards the skeptical, abundant references and "plugs" are given for various "pro-" books (e.g., on UFOs and Alien Abductions). And Lyall Watson is given the opportunity to respond to criticism of his "hundredth monkey" story, in all fairness.

The book is abundantly illustrated in black and white, and is attractive enough to function as a "coffee table" book and conversation starter...

My only "complaint" is that I'd love to see it UPDATED...