Recommended Reading
The IIG has put together the following list of books, suggested by our members, for those wishing to learn more about science, skepticism,
human psychology and the paranormal. This is by no means a complete list, so let us know if we're missing something good! If you purchase a book at Amazon using the provided links, a portion of your purchase will go to the IIG.
Flim Flam!James Randi
A must-read for anyone interested in skepticism from the mind of James Randi - famous magician, escape artist, and investigator of extraordinary claims. Here he describes ESP, psychokinesis, levitation, psychic surgery, UFOs, dowsing, and astrology, and presents the case against these and other deceptions.
The Demon-Haunted World:Science as a Candle in the Dark
Carl Sagan
An eloquent defense of the reason-based approach to life; demonstrating the deleterious effects of superstitious thinking and the positive, spiritual advantage of a scientific worldview.
Quirkology: How We Discover the Big Truths in Small ThingsRichard Wiseman
For over twenty years, psychologist Richard Wiseman has examined the quirky science of everyday life. In Quirkology, he navigates the oddities of human behavior, explaining the tell-tale signs that give away a liar, the secret science behind speed-dating and personal ads, and what a person's sense of humor reveals about the innermost workings of his or her mind—all along paying tribute to others who have carried out similarly weird and wonderful work.
The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our LivesLeonard Mlodinow
From Publisher's Weekly: "Mlodinow defines such tricky concepts as regression to the mean and the law of large numbers, which should help readers as they navigate the daily deluge of election polls and new studies on how to live to 100." A New York Times Bestseller, Editor's Choice, and Notable Book of the Year, and was short-listed for the Royal Society book award.
Fads and Fallacies in the Name of ScienceMartin Gardner
From the New Yorker: "Fair, witty appraisal of cranks, quacks, and quackeries of science and pseudoscience: hollow earth, Velikovsky, orgone energy, Dianetics, flying saucers, Bridey Murphy, food and medical fads, more. 'A very able and even-tempered presentation.'"
Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of CrowdsCharles MacKay
First published in 1841, MacKay's survey of mass hysteria and popular delusion is still remarkably, and frighteningly, current.
Why People Believe Weird ThingsMichael Shermer
Shermer explains how intelligent people are not only able to justify and find convincing-sounding arguments for beliefs they came to for non-rational reasons, but are often the best at doing so.
Science: Good, Bad and BogusMartin Gardner
A collection of Martin Gardner's essays about various forms of pseudoscience.
The Skeptic's Guide to the ParanormalLynne Kelly
An approachable and wide-ranging survey of the evidence for and against various paranormal phenomena: spontaneous combustion, UFOs, poltergeists, the Bermuda triangle, bigfoot, and more.
Abducted: How People Come to Believe They Were Kidnapped by AliensSusan Clancy
Harvard psychologist Susan Clancy, looking for a control group in her research on trauma recollection, discovers the creative, often intelligent people who are certain they have been abducted by aliens.
Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson
Through an examination of dissonance theory, two psychologists explain how we justify foolish beliefs, bad decisions and hurtful acts. Applications range from personal relationships to the actions of district attorneys and public officials.
Why Darwin Matters:The Case Against Intelligent Design
Michael Shermer
Nearly half of the US population does not understand or accept the evolutionary theory that underlies all modern biology. A thorough explanation of the latest form of Creationism, Intelligent Design, and why it fails both as science and theology.
Everything You Know is Wrong
The Republican War on Science
Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidity:Like our taste in books? For more recommendations, see our list of online destinations.
If you live in the Los Angeles area and want to talk about these and similar books with like-minded individuals, join the Skeptics Book Club at CFI-LA.
