Skeptoid 4: Astronauts, Aliens, and Ape-Men

by Brian Dunning

We live in a modern Dark Age. Faith in pseudoscience is rampant, and belief in the supernatural permeates society at every level. Critical thinking is key to understanding what is truly useful, and what merely distracts from progress and development. This book gives you the tools to sort the solid from the silly, and answer such questions Did Stalin actually try to create an army of half-ape, half-man super soldiers? Were the Apollo astronauts followed by a UFO all the way to the moon? Was Mozart really murdered by Antonio Salieri? Is there such a thing as ball lightning? Can martial arts masters kill without touching? Is an alien buried in the local cemetery in Aurora, Texas? Author Brian Dunning hosts the Skeptoid podcast at In this book, he casts his skeptical eye on fifty paranormal, cultural, and supernatural beliefs that are at best foolish, and at worst, deadly.

Genres: Nonfiction, Skepticism

349 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Chris Seltzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brian can come across as condescending sometimes.

The content itself is good, you sort of have to accept the presenter as he cost of getting the information.

(For what it's worth he seems like a very nice guy and probably doesn't mean to come across that way).

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Dunning turns his critical eye toward a range of topics including direct marketing, ball lightning, illuminati and psychic healing. Conspiracy theorists, rubes, believers and other gullible types nil - Dunning 100. This is just a joy to read as a rational mind cuts through the crap.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good skeptic look in a book.

[Philip Berghan-Whyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, if a little repetitive.