Paranormal Borderlands of Science [Paperback]

Kendrick Frazier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1981

Headlines and television news reports feature accounts of reincarnation, the predictions of astrologers, and psychic 'miracles'. Citizens report UFO sightings. Police departments call on psychics to provide clues in baffling crimes. From every available information source, the public is bombarded with unsubstantiated claims of paranormal phenomena. How much of the evidence is reliable? What is the truth behind these claims? This is an exciting, well-informed examination of the most publicized and exotic claims of astrology, ESP, psychokinesis, precognition, UFOs, biorhythms, and other phenomena. Written by respected psychologists, astronomers and other scientists, philosophers, investigative journalists, and magicians, the 47 articles in this superb collection present a skeptical treatment of pseudo scientific claims - an aspect often sorely neglected in sensationalized media reports. The book is an effort to help readers sort fact from fiction and sense from nonsense among the astonishing variety of assertions labeled 'paranormal'. Never before published in book form, the essays in this anthology originally appeared in the "Skeptical Inquirer", a leading magazine devoted to the critical investigation of pseudoscience from a scientific viewpoint. Among the contributors are: Isaac Asimov (distinguished science fiction author), Martin Gardner ("Scientific American" columnist), James Randi ("The Amazing Randi"), Philip Klass (noted UFO sceptic), Scot Morris ("Omni"), and James Oberg (NASA). An essential contribution to skeptical literature, this book will be of lasting value to all those wishing to balance the case for paranormal claims by reading the dissenting critics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Highly entertaining, packed with useful answers." -- New Scientist

Product Details

• Paperback: 469 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (September 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879751487
• ISBN-13: 978-0879751487
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,097,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book Exhibiting Skepticism as a Science, January 24, 2005

By 

Dale Wood "Europamoon" (Alabama, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paranormal Borderlands of Science (Science and the Paranormal Series) (Paperback)

This book is a collection of essays and articles from the publications of CSICOP. (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims Of the Paranormal.)

I think this is a fine book for people who are interested in the relationship between science and skepticism, and it exhibits the kind of critical thinking that needs to be handed out in the educations of all people.
I've widely read in this area and I found some parts of PARANORMAL BORDERLANDS OF SCIENCE out of date.
(Published 25 years ago.)
It discusses topics like Velikovskiism and spoon bending that I think have disappeared from wide public fanaticism. It is a relief to know that these ideas have faded away.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!!, May 5, 2001

By 

The Borg 03 (Canada, Calgary) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Paranormal Borderlands of Science (Paperback)

This is an excellent book. If you are a theist, your whole world will be turned around, because this book will present you with so much evidence, that your head will start hurting. This evidence will be against myths, superstition, tarition and other things, that are also known as god. If you are atheist, you will love this book, because there is so much logic, thought, and sense put into this book. In the conclusion, this is an excellent book.