COMMENT:Brings skepticism to a popular readership, with essays on old paranormal standards and new territory like pseudohistory. Shermer has a very readable style, and his strong point is how he weaves his own experiences into his discussion, showing how skeptics do not deny weird experiences but their paranormal interpretation. He usually deploys common-sense arguments to show why a weird belief has insufficient evidence. Most often, this works fine. Sometimes, however, the result is a superficial discussion which does not touch on the real arguments and claims at issue, and neglects the alternative explanations skeptics can bring forth. His arguments against creationism, for example, too often deny special creation can be even considered by science, or are vulnerable to the charge that they do not address the best (such as it is) creationism has to offer. However, Shermer hits his stride when discussing history and pseudohistory, especially when he dissects Holocaust denial in some detail. While uneven in parts, the book gives an excellent taste of the skeptical attitude for readers new to skepticism, and includes some original arguments to interest the experienced skeptic.
