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The Truth About Uri Geller
There is more to Uri Geller than his countless "miracles" - and James (The Amazing) Randi tells all in this fascinating examination of the Geller myth.The Truth About Uri Geller, formerly known as The Magic of Uri Geller, is a 1982 book by magician and skeptic James Randi about alleged psychic Uri Geller. In this comprehensive biography Randi challenges Uri Geller's assertion that he performs paranormal feats. Randi explores Geller's background as a stage magician, and explains how Geller's spoon bending can be easily reproduced by any magician using sleight of hand.
579 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1975
57 people are currently reading
501 people want to read
About the author
James Randi
34 books319 followersJames Randi (born Randall James Hamilton Zwinge; August 7, 1928 – October 20, 2020) was a Canadian-American stage magician and a scientific skeptic who extensively challenged paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. He was the co-founder of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI), originally known as the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP). He also founded the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). He began his career as a magician under the stage name The Amazing Randi and later chose to devote most of his time to investigating paranormal, occult, and supernatural claims, which he collectively called "woo-woo".Randi retired from practicing magic at age 60, and from the JREF at 87.
Although often referred to as a "debunker", Randi said he disliked the term's connotations and preferred to describe himself as an "investigator". He wrote about paranormal phenomena, skepticism, and the history of magic. He was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, famously exposing fraudulent faith healer Peter Popoff, and was occasionally featured on the television program Penn & Teller: Bullshit! - wikipeadia
Although often referred to as a "debunker", Randi said he disliked the term's connotations and preferred to describe himself as an "investigator". He wrote about paranormal phenomena, skepticism, and the history of magic. He was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, famously exposing fraudulent faith healer Peter Popoff, and was occasionally featured on the television program Penn & Teller: Bullshit! - wikipeadia
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 15, 2020
James Randi passed on recently, at the great age of 92. He started out as a mentalist in the years after the war, and became not only a magician of great skill, but a noted debunker as well, his most famous target being the ridiculous Uri Geller.
Hard as it is to believe, Geller has believers even now, but Randi's book, originally published in 1975 (the Prometheus edition is slightly revised and was published in 1982), should have ended him then. Randi showed up Geller thoroughly, and in this book describes in detail how he did so. Randi became a student of Geller; in a day when hardly anyone had a VCR Randi bought one and taped Geller's TV appearances so he could examine them in detail. He worked with Johnny Carson - himself a magician - to turn Uri's appearance on the Tonight Show into a disaster by the simple method of controlling the props.
Randi found himself most angered by the way Geller deceived scientists, and his advice remains true for anyone testing a "wonderworker" - involve a magician. Randi's analysis of Geller's "scientific tests" remains blistering, and troubling.
Randi had a deep knowledge of the history of his craft, and one chapter includes part of the text of a booklet written by the great Houdini, who was a devoted enemy of the fakes of his own day, debunking a proto-Geller who claimed to have the ability to read through metal.
This remains an excellent read, and is a monument to the Amazing Randi.
Hard as it is to believe, Geller has believers even now, but Randi's book, originally published in 1975 (the Prometheus edition is slightly revised and was published in 1982), should have ended him then. Randi showed up Geller thoroughly, and in this book describes in detail how he did so. Randi became a student of Geller; in a day when hardly anyone had a VCR Randi bought one and taped Geller's TV appearances so he could examine them in detail. He worked with Johnny Carson - himself a magician - to turn Uri's appearance on the Tonight Show into a disaster by the simple method of controlling the props.
Randi found himself most angered by the way Geller deceived scientists, and his advice remains true for anyone testing a "wonderworker" - involve a magician. Randi's analysis of Geller's "scientific tests" remains blistering, and troubling.
Randi had a deep knowledge of the history of his craft, and one chapter includes part of the text of a booklet written by the great Houdini, who was a devoted enemy of the fakes of his own day, debunking a proto-Geller who claimed to have the ability to read through metal.
This remains an excellent read, and is a monument to the Amazing Randi.
July 9, 2017
The Amazing Randi isn't the greatest writer but he is certainly a guy I wouldn't want as an enemy. He was obviously obsessed with bringing down Uri Geller, the reknowned spoon bending psychic of the 1970's. What is more amazing than the Amazing Randi is that so few others were sceptical and Uri's deceptions were so simple. But everyone was always looking for the difficult explanation instead of just bending the spoon with his hands wgen you weren't looking. The Uri rules should have told everyone he was full of crap. Uri required a positive atmosphere to pull off his psychic powers. And the fact that he couldn't always do it was his proof that it wasn't a trick. Everyone should watch the Uri Geller appearance on Johnny Carson. It is available on youtube. Some of the claims Uri makes are wild too. He doesn't just bend spoons. He travels in his mind to Rio and brings back money. I won't tell you the other insane claims. I will let you read them. You youngsters out there probably never heard of Uri. And why would you care when you have Ironman, Thor and the XMen? I am with you by the way. Bending spoons is for the birds. I want people who can blow things up with their minds. That is what I am trying to do - like in Scanners. If I stare really hard at you - look out.
December 19, 2014
I've no time for more than a line or two on this, but basically the book's essential reading for anyone interested in the rational approach to supposedly paranormal phenomena. Largely using the method of quoting in extenso from other sources -- newspaper articles, etc. -- and adding his own pungent commentary, Randi pulls apart the pretensions of the celebrated "super-psychic." Geller of course tried to silence Randi through multiple lawsuits, but, just like so many of his "psychic" stunts, that eventually pulled the wool over no one's eyes.
The book's compulsively readable -- I got through it in a day -- and often funny enough to make one laugh out loud. Much recommended.
The book's compulsively readable -- I got through it in a day -- and often funny enough to make one laugh out loud. Much recommended.
December 29, 2019
A 70's and 80's Israeli psychic exposed! Formal documentation from essays, interviews, and TV shows where Uri tries his best to deceive, only to get exposed. Detailed book with subtle sarcastic humor. Love me some James Randi!
February 24, 2015
As many reviewers have mentioned before me, Randi's tone really fails him here. While I understand that Geller had done his best to silence Randi, and made Randi spend a lot of money fighting lawsuits, Randi's smugness really sets the reader back. Which is especially troubling coming from a man who (usually) champions the scientific method. But here he's anything but objective.
Part of the problem apart from the book's tone and is its bizarre sense of narration. Rather than run in chronological order, Randi's episodes are split apart and sprinkled throughout - a sign that he didn't have enough material for a book, so had to resort to stretching what he did have. This causes one to lose interest in the book pretty fast; doubly so considering we already know how it ends (i.e. Geller being a fraud). Had Randi perhaps just focused on the core, case facts, wrote an excellent write-up on that, and then added in the more interesting parts of Flim-Flam and you would've had a masterpiece of skepticism. Instead of a severe case of could've/should've.
(Hell had Randi not padded this one out, and cut the (albeit minimal padding from his otherwise excellent, the Faith Healers, and combined the two the result would still be amazing, and would leave Flim-Flam alone to reign supreme.)
Part of the problem apart from the book's tone and is its bizarre sense of narration. Rather than run in chronological order, Randi's episodes are split apart and sprinkled throughout - a sign that he didn't have enough material for a book, so had to resort to stretching what he did have. This causes one to lose interest in the book pretty fast; doubly so considering we already know how it ends (i.e. Geller being a fraud). Had Randi perhaps just focused on the core, case facts, wrote an excellent write-up on that, and then added in the more interesting parts of Flim-Flam and you would've had a masterpiece of skepticism. Instead of a severe case of could've/should've.
(Hell had Randi not padded this one out, and cut the (albeit minimal padding from his otherwise excellent, the Faith Healers, and combined the two the result would still be amazing, and would leave Flim-Flam alone to reign supreme.)
May 25, 2024
THE FAMED MAGICIAN AND SKEPTIC LOOKS CRITICALLY AT GELLER
James Randi (1928-2020) was a stage magician, scientific skeptic, and author who was the co-founder of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI). The James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) offered a prize of US $1,000,000 to anyone able to demonstrate a supernatural ability under scientific testing criteria agreed to by both sides.
He recounts in the first chapter of this 1975 book, “Leaving the Army after minor injuries, [Geller] met Shimson Shtrang… The two happened upon a book that dealt with magic and magicians… An act developed, and they began working together on the subject… at the kibbutzes… and in night clubs, claiming supernatural abilities… Eventually they were brought to court for using the words ‘psychokinesis,’ ‘ESP,’ and ‘parapsychology’ in their promotion, and from then on they were not allowed to use such terminology, since they were performing conjuring tricks. This, coupled with the exposure that Geller had faked a photograph of himself with Sophia Loren for the Israeli newspapers, led to Geller’s decline in his own country.” (Pg. 2)
He points out, “Geller will not operate with magicians around (except when he doesn’t divine that they are there…) But the most important fact … is this: No matter how well-educated, alert, well-meaning, or astute men of science are, they are certainly no match for a competent magician---fooling people is his stock-in-trade.” (Pg. 8)
Of an occasion when Geller was tested, he notes, “there were seemingly unimportant occurrences that escaped their attention, and lapses in their accuracy. They assumed perfect shielding of Geller, so they did not report whether he was searched for the presence of electronic equipment… Beside, Geller, does not ALLOW a search---such procedures are ‘negative vibrations.’” (Pg. 59)
He recounts, “when a popular TV show in Israel …blew a taping with Geller, the show was simply cancelled and the tape scrapped, since Geller looked bad… Happily, the Johnny Carson Show in the United States displayed none of this timidity, and proceeded to broadcast Geller’s failure and discomfort in living color… a psychologist named Merari agreed to examine Geller’s claims, with the arrangement that if results were not positive no report would be issued. To this day---several year after the event---Merari has not been heard from… How many other times has Geller had this cozy arrangement with the media and scientists?” (Pg. 72-73)
Of a Geller demonstration of writing down a figure drawn by someone else, Randi explains, “I will give away one of the magician’s cherished secrets: ‘Pencil-reading’ involved watching the end of the subject’s pencil or pen while a drawing is being made… As long as the pencil is long enough, Geller is able to cover his eyes, just peeking out from between his fingers enough to see the end of the writing instrument. A guess (a triangle instead of a pyramid, for example) will be just far enough off to impress the believer with how uncertain these marvelous psychic forces are.” (Pg. 84)
He explains, “Consider the ‘key-bending’ trick Uri does so often… Many times I’ve done the trick and heard the witness turn to a friend and say, ‘He bent it without even touching it!’… their statement is … merely incorrect… the experimenters’ claim that Uri ‘never touched it’ can be translated into, “Uri never touched it in such a way that he could have seen inside it, to the best of our judgment.’ For I assure you, I cannot bend a key while you hold it, though I sure as hell can give the impression that I’ve done just that; so can Uri.” (Pg. 188-189)
Of Geller’s ‘starting a stopped watch’ trick, he states, “Any watch that has been lying still until it stopped, or any watch that has the balance wheel and escapement intact, will start TICKING as soon as is jarred all. Whether it will CONTINUE to work is a different matter altogether… on many TV spots, he has insisted that he cannot start watches what have missing parts and had become quite angry when supplied with such watches.” (Pg. 199)
He recounts, “Danny Pelz, the showman who worked … with Uri Geller… explains, ‘Geller has several special attributes which help him to deceive his audiences. He has very powerful hands, and eyes like an eagle. He can see things at a distance and from the side that most men cannot. He also knows how to draw things in great detail after having seen them, briefly, but once. But such things can be studied and mastered without too much trouble.” (Pg. 214-215)
Of Geller’s ‘breaking a ring’ trick, he suggests, “My personal observation of Geller has shown me that the girl on stage does not have a chance to see the broken ring, and that Geller switches the original for a broken one as he rushes down to the audience.” (Pg. 220)
When Geller appeared on Barbara Walters’ TV program to demonstrate telepathy, Randi thought, “Come on, Geller! You failed to mention a very important point here. When you tried tests under these conditions at SRI, you failed 100 percent of the tests! Or had you forgotten? I think not.” (Pg. 247)
He concludes by quoting an interview of Geller by Time magazine, where Geller said, “‘That Randi is jealous of men because I’m young and good-looking, and have nice wavy hair!’ Well, I’m no longer as young as I’d prefer to be, and most of the hair has departed during the years, that’s true. But I sleep well, Uri.” (Pg. 301)
This book will be “must reading” (particularly for skeptics) for those seriously studying Geller.
James Randi (1928-2020) was a stage magician, scientific skeptic, and author who was the co-founder of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI). The James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) offered a prize of US $1,000,000 to anyone able to demonstrate a supernatural ability under scientific testing criteria agreed to by both sides.
He recounts in the first chapter of this 1975 book, “Leaving the Army after minor injuries, [Geller] met Shimson Shtrang… The two happened upon a book that dealt with magic and magicians… An act developed, and they began working together on the subject… at the kibbutzes… and in night clubs, claiming supernatural abilities… Eventually they were brought to court for using the words ‘psychokinesis,’ ‘ESP,’ and ‘parapsychology’ in their promotion, and from then on they were not allowed to use such terminology, since they were performing conjuring tricks. This, coupled with the exposure that Geller had faked a photograph of himself with Sophia Loren for the Israeli newspapers, led to Geller’s decline in his own country.” (Pg. 2)
He points out, “Geller will not operate with magicians around (except when he doesn’t divine that they are there…) But the most important fact … is this: No matter how well-educated, alert, well-meaning, or astute men of science are, they are certainly no match for a competent magician---fooling people is his stock-in-trade.” (Pg. 8)
Of an occasion when Geller was tested, he notes, “there were seemingly unimportant occurrences that escaped their attention, and lapses in their accuracy. They assumed perfect shielding of Geller, so they did not report whether he was searched for the presence of electronic equipment… Beside, Geller, does not ALLOW a search---such procedures are ‘negative vibrations.’” (Pg. 59)
He recounts, “when a popular TV show in Israel …blew a taping with Geller, the show was simply cancelled and the tape scrapped, since Geller looked bad… Happily, the Johnny Carson Show in the United States displayed none of this timidity, and proceeded to broadcast Geller’s failure and discomfort in living color… a psychologist named Merari agreed to examine Geller’s claims, with the arrangement that if results were not positive no report would be issued. To this day---several year after the event---Merari has not been heard from… How many other times has Geller had this cozy arrangement with the media and scientists?” (Pg. 72-73)
Of a Geller demonstration of writing down a figure drawn by someone else, Randi explains, “I will give away one of the magician’s cherished secrets: ‘Pencil-reading’ involved watching the end of the subject’s pencil or pen while a drawing is being made… As long as the pencil is long enough, Geller is able to cover his eyes, just peeking out from between his fingers enough to see the end of the writing instrument. A guess (a triangle instead of a pyramid, for example) will be just far enough off to impress the believer with how uncertain these marvelous psychic forces are.” (Pg. 84)
He explains, “Consider the ‘key-bending’ trick Uri does so often… Many times I’ve done the trick and heard the witness turn to a friend and say, ‘He bent it without even touching it!’… their statement is … merely incorrect… the experimenters’ claim that Uri ‘never touched it’ can be translated into, “Uri never touched it in such a way that he could have seen inside it, to the best of our judgment.’ For I assure you, I cannot bend a key while you hold it, though I sure as hell can give the impression that I’ve done just that; so can Uri.” (Pg. 188-189)
Of Geller’s ‘starting a stopped watch’ trick, he states, “Any watch that has been lying still until it stopped, or any watch that has the balance wheel and escapement intact, will start TICKING as soon as is jarred all. Whether it will CONTINUE to work is a different matter altogether… on many TV spots, he has insisted that he cannot start watches what have missing parts and had become quite angry when supplied with such watches.” (Pg. 199)
He recounts, “Danny Pelz, the showman who worked … with Uri Geller… explains, ‘Geller has several special attributes which help him to deceive his audiences. He has very powerful hands, and eyes like an eagle. He can see things at a distance and from the side that most men cannot. He also knows how to draw things in great detail after having seen them, briefly, but once. But such things can be studied and mastered without too much trouble.” (Pg. 214-215)
Of Geller’s ‘breaking a ring’ trick, he suggests, “My personal observation of Geller has shown me that the girl on stage does not have a chance to see the broken ring, and that Geller switches the original for a broken one as he rushes down to the audience.” (Pg. 220)
When Geller appeared on Barbara Walters’ TV program to demonstrate telepathy, Randi thought, “Come on, Geller! You failed to mention a very important point here. When you tried tests under these conditions at SRI, you failed 100 percent of the tests! Or had you forgotten? I think not.” (Pg. 247)
He concludes by quoting an interview of Geller by Time magazine, where Geller said, “‘That Randi is jealous of men because I’m young and good-looking, and have nice wavy hair!’ Well, I’m no longer as young as I’d prefer to be, and most of the hair has departed during the years, that’s true. But I sleep well, Uri.” (Pg. 301)
This book will be “must reading” (particularly for skeptics) for those seriously studying Geller.
December 14, 2024
Excellent autopsy on the tricks and fraud of a Uri Geller who is an Israeli-British illusionist and made a career fooling audiences, journalists, scientists as a self-proclaimed psychic, who pretended to read minds and bend spoons with his powers but this book exposes the exact nature and method of his tricks.
He was a big deal a few decades ago.
Every single sleight of hand and distraction, his methods to confuse and confound the world is well documented. First Israel knew he was a fraud (false messiah?). So he went off to the USA were he found and duped many believers. Then Sweden and Norway. acknowledged his fakery.
The English adore to be beguiled, entertained and fooled and they were the very best and most gullible of his fans.
He was a big deal a few decades ago.
Every single sleight of hand and distraction, his methods to confuse and confound the world is well documented. First Israel knew he was a fraud (false messiah?). So he went off to the USA were he found and duped many believers. Then Sweden and Norway. acknowledged his fakery.
The English adore to be beguiled, entertained and fooled and they were the very best and most gullible of his fans.
February 1, 2022
If you love James Randi then the book is good. He’s a bit persnickety throughout but when talking about Geller who wouldn’t be?
He talk about how some of the tricks are done but mostly recounts appearances of Gellers or his own and points out often that scientists can’t detect the misdirection of magicians. Probably not a book that needs a second reading, better to just watch some YouTube videos of Randis appearance or Gellers failed demonstration with Johnny Carson.
He talk about how some of the tricks are done but mostly recounts appearances of Gellers or his own and points out often that scientists can’t detect the misdirection of magicians. Probably not a book that needs a second reading, better to just watch some YouTube videos of Randis appearance or Gellers failed demonstration with Johnny Carson.
April 1, 2025
A wonderful account of the difficulties and discoveries of debunking Uri Geller, written by the master himself. It was a splendid read, one filled with some jests while remaining serious and to the best part of impartial.
Definitely worth a read. I'm glad for the life James lived, he did good work.
Definitely worth a read. I'm glad for the life James lived, he did good work.
March 28, 2024
What an excellent and eye opening book. If this doesn't convince you that Geller is a fraud (a magician masquerading as a psychic) then nothing will. If you still remain a Gellerite then please contact me as I have some powdered unicorn horn which I would be happy to sell to you.
January 10, 2025
very interesting and thorough
I appreciate Randi’s professional study of a true conman. This book made me look at all this nonsense with even more incredulity. I’m going to try and amaze my family with Geller’s astounding techniques!
I appreciate Randi’s professional study of a true conman. This book made me look at all this nonsense with even more incredulity. I’m going to try and amaze my family with Geller’s astounding techniques!
June 21, 2019
A bit dated now that the Geller phenomenon is in the past but still an interesting read
June 13, 2024
pierwsza książka, która połamała mi klucze od domu
July 15, 2012
Discredits the supposed psychic Uri Geller. Written when Geller was a big deal back in the 70's, with a few details added several years later. Randi is a professional magician who figured out how Geller faked a lot of his tricks and performed them, or sometimes improved on them, in order to expose the fraud. Considering how much Randi talks about scientific rigor, the book could have used less angry sarcasm and more organization. It keeps jumping back and forth between describing Geller's performances, bashing Geller's associates and dupes, and drawing parallels with fake psychics of the past, but doesn't leave any clear picture of what Geller did when. Another thing that makes it unsatisfying is Randi's reluctance to tell how tricks are done (magicians like to keep their methods secret, apparently). The real potential to convince Geller converts of their mistake was in Randi's duplication of the tricks, not in writing a book about it. The basic point is that magicians know how to trick people and they can trick scientists too, and only another magician is qualified to detect fake psychics.
December 10, 2012
I knew Uri Geller was kinda generally disliked for being a fraud, but I had no idea he was so successful in tricking so many over such a long period of time.
James Randi is amazing. This book lead me to looking up his videos on youtube, the shows he had done in the past, and his TED talk etc. A very strong mind of reason - if anything in this book, and in general, he is too decent and too lenient to the crooks like Uri. But on the other hand, Uri and his ilk serves the purpose to prove how stupid / easily deceived we are as a group of people. I am sure there are thousands of Uri Gellers working out there right today, and is making millions in the process - they are just disguised, that's all.
James Randi is amazing. This book lead me to looking up his videos on youtube, the shows he had done in the past, and his TED talk etc. A very strong mind of reason - if anything in this book, and in general, he is too decent and too lenient to the crooks like Uri. But on the other hand, Uri and his ilk serves the purpose to prove how stupid / easily deceived we are as a group of people. I am sure there are thousands of Uri Gellers working out there right today, and is making millions in the process - they are just disguised, that's all.
January 7, 2015
Even though the analysis of Uri Geller's trickery and the gullibility of his believers is described well, I found the tone of the book a bit unpleasant. James Randi rightly points out the flaws in Geller's claims but I could have done without the overt smugness. Also, Randi tends to repeat himself just a tad too much. It's still a very interesting read, though, and much of Randi's book could be applied to current 'psychic phenomenon'. Recommended if you are interested in psychic phenomena and how people seem to want to believe in them no matter what.
September 7, 2007
James Randi has the guts and the insights to expose Uri Geller, who has betrayed the magicians' trust never to pretend they have supernatural powers. By doing that, Randi has perhaps had to betray another trust: never to reveal how a trick is done. This is a brave and important book that should be available to all young and curious people who want to know the Truth about a clever and successful charlatan. Highly recommended!
March 30, 2012
Ugh this book has such an air of playground tittle tattle about it! "Teacher Teacher looooook Uri was cheeeeaaating"
Does anyone really care? Must of us over the age of 10 know illusionists and psychics are fake but we watch because we are amazed at the slight of hand and how easily we can be fooled.
Does anyone really care? Must of us over the age of 10 know illusionists and psychics are fake but we watch because we are amazed at the slight of hand and how easily we can be fooled.
April 23, 2015
Battle of the Egos. James Randi vs Uri Geller. It's all so old hat now.
This book has so many typos that I found it annoying to read. Who proof-read the Kindle version? I suspect no one. Near the end of the book James Randi was written as 'James Ranch': that's pathetic.
Don't waste your time on this book.
This book has so many typos that I found it annoying to read. Who proof-read the Kindle version? I suspect no one. Near the end of the book James Randi was written as 'James Ranch': that's pathetic.
Don't waste your time on this book.
August 12, 2012
I've been wanting to read this book for years. The only flaw with the text is Randi's ego. I enjoy the technical nature of how Geller's tricks were performed, but Randi seems to take this holier than thou stance that is totally unnecessary.
August 26, 2020
A great read, and one I keep coming back to for the meticulous investigation and enjoyable whiff of scandal.
Don't get the Kindle edition, by the way. It's riddled with formatting errors - improper italics, glitchy footnotes, unmarked quotes.
Don't get the Kindle edition, by the way. It's riddled with formatting errors - improper italics, glitchy footnotes, unmarked quotes.
February 1, 2009
It astonishes me that after the devastating points raised in this book that Geller is still showing up in various places. One would think he would seek a wonderfully well deserved obscurity.
May 18, 2012
Uri shouldn't be able to straighten out of this bend.
September 2, 2012
Suck it psychics!
July 24, 2015
This book was interesting on how science deals with the paranormal, also the lies that people tell themselves to keep believing. Though it was pretty much one note.
Want to read
June 9, 2013good
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews