A classic of the genre. A witty and engaging exploration of human gullibility.

Written in 1956 the author would be disappointed to note that gullibility is still around and indeed many of the types of woo he exposes as such are still around and still fleecing those unable to use critical thinking skills to protect themselves.

In fact some of the woo factories have gone on to expand their influence ( and their bank balances ) beyond any recognition from the fifties.

Scientology in particular is exposed as tosh and yet here we are with their vastly swollen coffers funding a worldwide expansion programme.

Well written in an easy to read and engaging style, the best of the early days of scepticism.

I will be getting more of his books. ( )

http://monado2.blogspot.com/2006/12/b... ( )

Martin Gardner’s “Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science� is an excellent defense against the claims of believers of pseudo-science. I first read it as a university student in the mid-1970s when crazes--cults, tarot readings, Hans Holzer’s ghost-hunting endeavors, and life enhancement strategies were all the rage. Gardner was a philosophy major at the University of Chicago (class of 1936). He said, “Philosophy gives one an excuse to dabble in everything.� “Fads and Fallacies� is a classic text for people who fight the relentless dumbing down of the United States.