The Weird 100 [Paperback]

Stephen J. Spignesi (Author)

Book Description

Series: 100 | Publication Date: May 1, 2004

Stephen J. Spignesi (Author) The Weird 100 [Paperback] Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Citadel (May 1, 2004) Language: English ISBN-10: 0806525231

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Citadel (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806525231
• ISBN-13: 978-0806525235
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,626,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the dumbest book I've ever read...., April 19, 2006

By 

Zube "kile25" (Youngsville, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Weird 100 (Paperback)

With all due respect to the author as a person, this is undoubtedly the dumbest book I have ever had the opportunity to read. It exemplifies many of the problems with modern education, particularly the reluctance to teach rational thinking.

You don't even have to finish the Introduction before the author makes the following argument: Many insurance companies pay for chiropractic sessions. Therefore, chiropractic medicine is legitimate (i.e, effective).

Regardless of whether chiropractic medicine is or isn't legitimate, this is not an argument based on good logic or evidence. Furthermore, like many of the topics addressed in the book, the author lumps together all aspects of chiropractic medicine, from manipulation to pharamceuticals, as if they must be judged as a whole...if any aspect of treatment is worthwhile, then they ALL must be worthwhile.

While decrying the "hubris" of mankind in denying the reality of some of the phenomena described in this book, the author demonstrates a pretty healthy dose of it himself by making bold statements about the "quality of evidence" in each case. As far as I can tell, his judgment is almost entirely unsupported by the facts. He will offer footnotes and citations when arguing that a "skeptical" view is self-contradictory, but he often asserts that "some people" have experienced or witnessed a phenomena without offereing any citations, names, dates, or other corroborating information. Check out the section on "Angel Hair", where he simply states that "some people" have been able to capture and contain the material. Who? When? Where? Under what conditions? Were there corroborating witnesses?

I realize that it is absolutely futile for me to argue with someone who believes in this stuff. Beliefs of this type are based on faith, and no amount of logical argument, nor any actual evidence, will sway a true believer. It just frustrates me that people choose the easy way, unfounded and unsubstantiated belief based on the presumed authority of someon like the author, over the option of educating themselves and learning to make objective, rational decisions based on scientific methods.

OK, my rant is over.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not so much . . ., February 20, 2008

By 

Alexandria™ "The Fabulous" (California/Las Vegas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Weird 100 (Paperback)

I like a presentation of facts, so when an author's opinions get mixed into topics such as these, a book often turns very controversial . . . and most of the time not in a favorable way. Although this book does have some interesting information, I don't think it let's readers decide for themselves. Aside from that, there are some topics mixed in to the whole jumble where your forced to ask, "Why is THIS in here?"

I'll be returning my book soon, it was disappointing. Look for things by Rosemary Ellen Guiley, she presents facts and beliefs from all over the world . . . and lets YOU decide what to believe.

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice, March 25, 2010

By 

Breno C. L. Ferreira "Breno Loureiro" (IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Weird 100 (Paperback)

It is a nice book... Book to be read on the train... before bed time! Some of the weird stuff I never have heard about... I like it very much.
Fun and sometimes scary... :)