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Straight and Crooked Thinking Paperback – April 29, 2011

by Robert Henry Thouless (Author)

23 customer reviews

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This new edition of a timeless classic demonstrates how the use of clear, rational thinking and logic can win any argument, however emotionally charged the topic in question. It describes the typical flaws of reasoning in argument and shows how language can be used to deceive - and how to avoid being deceived. It will show you how, by learning what is 'straight', rational language, and clear thought, you can disentangle emotionally charged rhetoric and hold your own in any argument or debate, no matter how challenging. Although written nearly 80 years ago, this book proves that certain principles remain timeless; it has shown many thousands over the decades how to cope with media spin and distorted reasoning - and now it will do the same for you.

Straight and Crooked Thinking

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Editorial Reviews

Review

'It is neither a dry nor weighty tome, but is jam-packed with raw rational sense. It will give you techniques for identifying fallacies and false arguments. It will help protect you from the devious subterfuges of politicians and preachers, journalists and jingoists. It is sweet manna from a rational heaven. Thouless describes 38 dishonest tricks that are commonly used in arguments (there may be more). ' answersingenes.blogspot.com "Straight and Crooked Thinking remains one of the most succinct and practically-applicable books ever written. One blogger named it as his favorite book of all time, describing it as "a concise work of supreme genius." http://neglectedbooks.com "...put it back on the mass market, where it belongs! (...) get it on every bookshelf on the planet." http://answersingenes.blogspot.com/2007/11/straight-crooked-thinking.html

About the Author

Born in 1894, Robert Thouless was a psychologist. He was Head of the Department of Psychology in Glasgow until 1938, after which he became Reader and Reader Emeritus at Cambridge. He specialised in logic, rationality and the study of responses to the paranormal and wrote several titles in addition to this one. He died in 1984.

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Product Details

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton (April 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1444117181
ISBN-13: 978-1444117189
Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.5 x 7.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #571,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #528 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Logic & Language
- #1303 in Books > Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Communication
- #3151 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Communication & Media Studies

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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars

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Top Customer Reviews

Review of Straight and Crooked Thinking

ByGary Henriksenon May 30, 2000

Format: Paperback

This book should be required reading for anyone that takes public policy issues seriously. It explains the various techniques and ploys by which emotionally loaded words and various debating tricks can transform an intellectually honest debate into a propaganda campaign, and gives techniques to counter these ploys. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

0Comment 23 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

An excellent book, amazingly pertinent today

ByA customeron October 27, 2003

Format: Paperback

Although written at the end of the 1930's, the book is amazingly relevant today and one of the most clearly presented and well thought-out books of its kind that I've ever read. It is well worth your time.

0Comment 14 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Helps one to keep focussed on the main issues in a debate.

ByA customeron October 22, 1999

Format: Paperback

This is one of the most useful books that I have ever read. The author points out how debates are often lead away from the main issues by using arguments that appeal to emotion rather than to facts.He clearly describes how it is done and how to avoid being lead away from the issues by such devices. Important reading for anyone who has been in a debate and wonders why the opponent didn't sound convincing and yet you were unable to answer him/her!

0Comment 8 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

His destruction of his grandfathers work???

ByMichael J. Fitchon July 8, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The copy I received doesn't have this cover, it has the cover of the kindle edition which is an updated edition by R.H. Thouless grandson C.R. Thouless???...So basically this a different book, atleast that's what I take away from the last paragraph of the preface-" No doubt my personal political views, together with those of my grandfather, are apparent from selection of examples, and I am no more impartial or immune to crooked thinking than any of my readers. I must apologize, but if a book such as this is to deal with controversial topics it is not possible to avoid some personal bias. In selecting topics for discussion I have necessarily chosen those which have struck me. It is always easier to find examples of crooked thinking in the words of one's opponents than in those on one's friends. ((( The selection of material has necessarily been affected{GROSSLY] by differences between my interests and those of my grandfather=[HE SHOULD HAVE COPIED HIS GRANDFATHERS WORK AND LEFT HIS OPINION FOR ANOTHER BOOK OR SUBJECT]... I cannot claim to APPROACH MY GRANDFATHERS KNOWLEDGE OR UNDERSTANDING{ NO KIDDING???] In religious matters and for this reason they have received less emphasis than earlier editions.My professional training is in ecology and animal behavior, and most of my adult life has been spent working on wildlife conservation in Africa...((( It's too late to return this drivel, but, I can use it to stabilize a chair...The title should be changed to "How I destroyed my grandfathers masterpiece"...

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Excellent book

ByThomas McLeanon May 8, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I have owned a copy of this book since the early 70's. It has served me VERY well over the years. In a nutshell, it provides you with the tools necessary to identify and deal with with 'crooked thinking' whether innocent or deliberative. There are many people who use techniques to persuade others that are downright dishonest. This book helps balance the the match. I can honestly say that this book has helped me untangle many a thorny problem.

I was delighted to find a copy for the kindle or for e-readers and snatched it up immediately. This book is very well written and I re-read it periodically to sharpen my claws. While the book could be used for underhanded purposes, I have found that I don't need to resort to underhanded techniques to win my case...but I do need to understand the techniques when used against me.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Still very relevant today since it was first published

ByLeong Siong Heeon September 24, 2005

Format: Paperback

I last read this book about 15 years ago as a student and the lessons of the 38 dishonest tricks used in arguments detailed in the book have left a life-lasting impression on me. It is an invaluable book which is still relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1930. Could the copyright owner(s) please reissue this book or better yet, contribute to the public domain?

0Comment 8 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Invaluable

ByJLMKon July 8, 2006

Format: Paperback

In my biased opinion, this ranks as one of the finest books on the subject of critical thinking. Unfortunately, it is highly priced on Amazon.com, but one can find cheaper alternatives on the internet. Thouless focuses a lot on how social proof, and other biases do impede one's ability to think rationally, especially when facts are not conclusive, or when there are more than two plausible arguments in a given scenario. Good for policy makers, students, regular folks, and people who routinely make decisions under uncertainty.

0Comment 6 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Concise, much of substance and very usuable.

ByRobert Navarroon January 7, 1998

Format: Paperback

The single most useful book dealing with the techniques of discussion and argumentation that I've read. Still use its principles 10 years later !. Good to know what professional persuaders (politicians etc.) have in their armoury.

0Comment 8 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most Recent Customer Reviews

No excuse for non-sense.

Insightful, a must read for anyone claiming to be a critical thinker. The perfect took to separate thinking form non-thinking

Published 28 days ago by Amazon Customer

How to avoid be crooked by Crooked Thinkers

Sound book that discusses the modern day writing as crooked thinking. The language that is used in newspapers, TV, Radio etc is intended to deceive and subjugate people.Read more

Published on September 20, 2014 by Chris Kanyane

Five Stars

Should be required reading in everyone's education,,,there would probably be fewer republicans as a result.

Published on September 5, 2014 by Beau Boregmi

I bought the book from my son

This book was mandatory in High School so I bought a copy for my son. The book is about logic and truth not propaganda

Published on December 4, 2013 by Bernard W. Martin

One to let go gracefully out of print.

Straight and Crooked Thinking
One to let go gracefully out of print.

There is a phrase in Japanese, `furu-kusai' which roughly translates as either `has an air...Read more

Published on October 17, 2013 by ARWoollock

Excellent work on how to think with maximum clarity

excellent example of really clear thinking by the author especially on 'the meaning words', 'the usesw of analogy in science development' , and much more.

Published on August 10, 2013 by Sean O'Donnell

A tool for examining my OWN thinking as much as anyone else's,

This is a brilliant little book. It clearly, cogently, and with use of easily understood and often amusing example, shows the various flaws in thinking and analysis which many of...Read more

Published on July 8, 2013 by Lady Fancifull

great classic

This should be required reading for all kids in junior high or high school. We'd probably have less democrats if it was.

Published on March 12, 2013 by steve king

should be required reading

This is a great and classic book that discusses errors and tricks of reasoning. All kids (and adults) should read this book. A little hard to read but it is short.

Published on February 6, 2013 by steve king

A Guide to Good Thinking

This book is one I am ever grateful for having discovered when I was 15 yrs old. It help me lay a solid foundation for quality thought and that has repeatedly been very helpful to...Read more

Published on December 18, 2011 by Rosie2U

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Straight and Crooked Thinking Paperback – April 29, 2011

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