78 of 83 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE book of the fallacy - a witty read, November 15, 2006
This review is from: How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic (Hardcover)
This book is a reproduction of the classic out of print book entitled "Book of the Fallacy: A Training Manual for Intellectual Subversives", which is one of the greatest and wittiest books ever written about fallacies and argument I've ever read.
I'm happy to see that it is now available again - for a reasonable price, because it makes a wonderful gift especially for young adults, or for anyone who would enjoy learning to win arguments.
I equate this book in importance to a parent teaching their child boxing to defend themselves on the playground. This book teaches how to defend themselves in debate, where one's opponent will cry uncle from a few well placed "argumentum ad ignorantiam" or a couple "tu quoque" with a swift kick in the rump from a well placed "red herring" as they scamper a way and submit in defeat.
If there is any question of the value this book has to us "fallacy buffs", simply look at the used book prices for the original book, and thank your lucky stars that it is now available again.
Madsen Pirie is the master.
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79 of 87 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Turn your brain into a Swiss Army Knife with this combination sword, shield, and bulls**t detector, August 18, 2006
This review is from: How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic (Hardcover)
There are a lot of critical thinking books out there, but few are as easily accessible and entertaining as "How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic." It shines a light on all the hidden trip wires, trap doors, and funhouse mirrors that the professional spinners use to keep us dizzy.
Wouldn't you like to learn how to see through all their smoke and mirrors? In this day and age, can any of us really afford not to?
Like its predecessor (the out-of print "Book of the Fallacy") this is a cure for our near-sighted world, especially in these days when-- whether from information overload or apathy-- we all seem to passively accept our collective blurred vision.
But don't worry, every trick in the book is revealed here in easy, to-the-point explanations. Straw men, red herrings, wishful thinking, etc--if you don't know what they are, you should-- they are the oily wool that lawyers, politicians, interest groups, media, organized religion, and out-and-out-con artists pull over your eyes everyday.
Here is the ultimate set of shears against them all. No more picked pockets, washed brains, and swiped votes. A lot of people would prefer if you didn't read this book and learn its valuable secrets-- and by all means don't, if you want them to continue to have their way. As for the rest of you, an eye-opening awaits...
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42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dictionary of Fallacies, October 10, 2009
I think the Fallacy here is that you would learn about giving your arguments more strength and beating your opponent on a verbal battle. While you might glean some useful tidbits, this book is really more of a dictionary or appendix of Fallacies. Though well written enough and interesting it should be treated more of a reference for writers than anything else. You would probably find more meaning in "Thank you for Arguing" or "Logical Self Defense"; both of which I highly recommend for people studying Critical Thinking, or Rhetoric.
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