The Skeptic's Guide to the Paranormal

by Lynne Kelly

Can a human being really spontaneously burst into flames? Just how deadly is the Bermuda Triangle? And what's the real story behind all those alien abductions? The answers to these and many other questions lie within the covers of The Skeptic's Guide to the Paranormal . Guaranteed to liven up any dinner party, this delightful, highly readable book offers color photographs and scientific case-by-case explanations for twenty-seven phenomena that appear to defy known science, including ghosts and poltergeists, the predictions of Nostradamus, and yogic levitation, among many others. Speaking directly to the reader, and always with respect for those who believe, Kelly gives us a bite-size, nonacademic approach to debunking hugely popular superstitions and mysteries. Did you know that you, too, can bend spoons and read minds? This book will show you how.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Paranormal, Skepticism, History

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

My new book, The Knowledge Gene was be published in Australia and NZ in 2024, and early in 2025 for North America. It is the culmination of all my work on knowledge systems and memory. It is the scientific evidence humans are all genetically encoded to use our uniquely human skills in music, art, spatial abilities, story and performance to store and convey knowledge - and have been doing so for at least 70,000 years! We all have so much more potential that we are using.

I did a PhD on the way indigenous cultures memorise vast amounts of information when they don't use writing. Knowledge and Power in Prehistoric Societies was published by Cambridge University Press in 2015 and explains the implications for archaeology, offering new interpretations for the purpose of monuments around the world including Stonehenge, the statues of Easter Island and the huge images on the desert at Nasca.

The Memory Code (2016) presented this approach for the general reader. There was an overwhelming response to the book, asking how to implement the memory methods in contemporary life. That is the theme of Memory Craft.. Songlines: the power and promise is co-authored with Indigenous writers, Margo Neale and leads the First Knowledges series. Songlines for Younger Readers was published in 2023, leading the children's series. Both Songlines books have been shortlisted for major awards.

I grew up in Melbourne, Australia, and now live in rural Castlemaine. I started writing as a child and am the author of ten books for schools written during my teaching career, and a novel, Avenging Janie. I then started writing popular science, publishing three books, The Skeptic's Guide to the Paranormal, Crocodile: evolution's greatest survivor and Spiders: learning to love them.

Reviews

[Alicia Impink · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am glad a book like this exists and especially since it's targeted for YA. I wish a book like this had been out when I was middleschool/early teen and reading everything about the paranormal, I was super susceptible and having a book like this that explains the truth and science behind things like spoon bending and how 'psychics' cold read and all that stuff would have saved younger-me a ton of time and misinformation. The authors explains things in an approachable manner, clearly, and without seeming haughty or like a know-it-all. It's very well done.

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well presented and interesting read on the strange and wonderful. Discussions range from levitation to Nessie and all things in between with logical investigations, histories, explanations and references. I do like fact the author states it is impossible to prove something DOESN'T exist, so for those who like to believe in the paranormal and random creatures, anything is possible....
A relatively quick, well laid out read, I would recommend to anyone who likes the strange and odd.

[Alberto Tebaldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative book, altho just common sense is enough to debunk the dubious paranormal activities we hear about.

[Vanni Pulé · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of claims of the paranormal. Highly recommended for all those who want to be introduced into the inner sanctum of reality and objective truth.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Periodically, I'll select a random section of shelving in the library and make myself select a book - just to break myself out of my groove. This title was in a section that sounded interesting (I also took one called "Don't Worry, It's just a ghost" and another about famous literary hoaxes).

I abandoned the ghost one after 1o pages. The author's assertion that she can see ghosts and bust them when needed just felt so - fatuous. I realize that we each believe something that someone else is going to find ridiculous; I elected to respect this woman's beliefs by setting her book aside.

This book had an interesting title, but failed to deliver. I also found it heavily ironic that the skeptic author also (apparently) does "psychic" readings for amusement with her friends. I wasn't quite clear on if she also does it to earn money. Suffice it to say: if you are ever dazzled by the insight of a purported psychic, remember that people are alike more than they are different.

[Jeffrey Poehlmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the most literary review of paranormal skepticism, perhaps, but enjoyably engaging and refreshingly non-cynical in its style. It is a good primer for those who hold to superstitious beliefs or are afraid of other-worldly phenomena. Best chapter: Spontaneous Human Combustion!

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun. A dozen or so paranormal/sketical topics given a brief introduction, with explanations of what is likely to be happening, such as ESP, astrology and spontaneous human combustion. In many ways, a peculiar mix of topics, but that is one of the refreshing things about it.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overpowering feeling of schadenfreude reading about bullshit called on some of the more popular urban legends. I'll admit to being more of a skeptic after finishing this book - no matter how juicy some hearsay can be.

[Stew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must read for people who believe in ghosts, astrology, mediums, psychics and other rubbish.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

necessary for the paranormal questions