Paranormality: Why We See What Isn't There

We experience the impossible, or so we believe. Oddly enough things don't seem all that impossible anymore when someone explains the mechanics behind them which is exactly what Professor Richard Wiseman does in his book Paranormality.
Broaching a variety of topics commonly attributed as being paranormal, be it fortune telling or out-of-body experiences, talking to the dead or prophecy, this turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging read that allows a close-up look into how and why we tend to be drawn to the supernatural. From the psychology of suggestion straight to finding patterns in coincidence this book is filled with scientific and psychological facts and spiced with a healthy dose of humor too. And the lessons in learning some "tricks of the trade" are definitely a nice touch.
Some of the presented phenomenon are a little easier to debunk than others, say, how fortune tellers carefully observe people - also referred to as "cold reading" - before throwing out some vague and/or double-headed statements that all predict the likely. Overall though I found myself intrigued by the explanations for some phenomenon, eg why we sometimes believe to have prophetic dreams.
Seeking answers to the inexplicable? Needing some fodder to annoy your paranormally inclined friends? Then I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to you. Trust me, after reading this you'll never look at the Quija board the same way again.
In short: A light yet insightful read on the science behind the supernatural! ( )

An easy to read look at cricial thinking and how we investigate the paranormal phenomena that are constantly cropping up around us. The author does a good job of explaining how the brain works, and also the tricks, both natural and contrived, that cause it to malfunction, making us see things that aren't there. He also has some interspersed tips for how to experience these phenomena if you've never experienced them, such as how to have an out-of-body experience. His writing is light and witty, and he puts in stories that are amusing and droll, such as the story of the talking mongoose (which has never actually been solved, so you can have the additional fun of trying to imagine possible solutions, though the evidence doesn't fit very well with an actual talking mongoose). While not as in depth or thorough as some of these books, this could be a very good introduction to the topic for anyone interested in how magicians trick us into believing the impossible. ( )

Great read. It talks about paranormal and how scientists have already did studies to prove there is no such thing.

The experiments are interesting and some are repeatable.

It is for those who already know or suspect that there is no supernatural stuff, and it is all in your minds or fake by some con men.

The greatest con are those fake miracle by religions. They are all fake. Another strong reason not to get involve in any religion that claim there is miracle. Christianity is one of the biggest con and you have to be a fool to believe in that stuff. ( )

This is very much a 'pop' piece of science writing. It is very easy to read and occasionally funny, and its heart is very much in the right place. Give it to a teenager to prove that the supernatural doesn't exist. ( )

I really like Richard Wiseman. However, I'm not the target audience for this book. I already know how cold reading and seances work. But it's still a great read. His prose is always fantastic and his science is always sound. I just wish it could get published in the U.S.! ( )