Skeptoid 5: Massacres, Monsters, and Miracles

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 as: Do military dolphins actually attack and kill divers? Who was Jack the Ripper? Can zombie powder actually turn you into a mindless slave? Was an amputee miraculously healed in the 1600s? What is truly known about Amelia Earhart’s fate? Does scientific evidence prove the existence of the Yeti? Author Brian Dunning hosts the Skeptoid podcast at http://skeptoid.com. 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: Science, Skepticism, History

359 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2013

Reviews

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all the other Skeptoid books, this is very much worth reading. I'd give four and a half stars if I could.

[Kyle O'Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Skeptoid. Recommended.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read, but if you're a dedicated skeptoid fan you will be very familiar with these topics and their explanations from the show.

[Chris Seltzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I consider this an alternative to listening to the podcast.

It's great for what it is but I'd say audio should remain the preferred medium for the content.