ok, I'l kick things off. What's everyone reading? I just finished Dennett's "Breaking the Spell", which I heard him interviewed about on the Point of Inquiry podcast. I have to say I'm a bit disappointed, the book was a bit of a muddle. You can read "oakespauldings" review of it here, I'd echo what he had to say...
I read a rather vicious review of
Breaking the Spell in the NY Times a few months ago, but haven't read the book itself. In fact, the only one of Dennet's books I've read is
Darwin's Dangerous Idea. It's not my favorite book, but there were parts of it I liked very much.
I just read that review today, actually, and I sorta agree. He comes off really confrontational and cranky, and shoots himself in the foot in several places. The interview I heard was really interesting, but the book was a disappointment. (I added my review to the social section just today)
Best Skeptical book I've read in the past year was
Doubt: A History. That was absolutely wonderful. I also enjoyed Mary Roaches'
Stiff and
Spook, both of which are well researched and hilariously funny, something that is often sorely lacking in skeptical literature.
Atomicmutant: How well does
Spook stand up to
Mary Roach's previous book
Stiff? While I was really taken with
Stiff, the initial reviews for
Spook made me hesitant about buying a copy.
I second your review of
Doubt: A History, with the added bargain-hunter's bonus of getting it for only $5. I love finding surprises like these at bargain bins! Woo hoo!
I actually think that
Spook is a more entertaining book than Stiff. I won't go further, so as not to spoil the fun, but I read that book in almost one sitting, I was so taken by it. Let's put it this way: the first chapter, on reincarnation, is titled "You again?" Chapters on weighing the soul, and spiritualism, are classics. Go get it and have some fun!
I found another, more detailed review of "Breaking the Spell" in the most recent
American Scientist,
here, which might interest some.
I'm reading Baggini's
Atheism: A Very Short Introduction as well as several other books unrelated to secularism. I'm a big fan of Baggini's style - he is the editor of The Philosopher's Magazine.
Hi! Can anyone recommend a good book (or more) on the subject of evolution for a beginner? Really a beginner!
The Golden Ratio: The Story of PHI, the World's Most Astonishing Number by
Mario Livio. Broadway (2003), Paperback, 304 pages
Here's some debunking and skepticism that you might otherwise miss. Does the Golden Ratio (1.61803399...) bear mysterious properties that please the human eye and mind in a magical way? ... no!
Livio doesn't spend the whole book dispelling myths about the Golden Ratio. He also explains what is truly interesting about the number and tells what historic persons did and did not investigate this fascinating number.
It's a pleasant book to read for just about anyone who likes numbers, geometry or intellectual history.
Atomic,
I just finished reading
Stiff and loved it. I'd also heard some not so good things about
Spook and was wary about picking it up. But your enthusiasm has sealed the deal. I'm going to order a copy right now!
Wonderful book on Evolution and the whole Evolution/Creationist hoopla (I won't dignify it by calling it a debate):
Donald R. Prothero's Evolution: What The Fossils Say And Why It Matters. Readable and comprehensive.
I'm gonna tackle
Snake Oil Science by
R Barker Bausell when I get some time.
Meanwhile, any good books on Cryptozoology? My 11 year old daughter wants to be a cryptozoologist, and we always end up in the UFO/Bigfoot/Pseudoscience section, and I'd like something entertaining and informative and skeptical.
A Devil's Chaplain Reflections on Hope, Lies, Science, and Love by Richard Dawkins
I just found this group:)
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