Require advice on sceptical books for local library

[jenspen]

After seeing the dust jacket of a new book by Sylvia Browne displayed at my local library I want to put in a request for them to buy one of Randi's books. They have nothing by Randi or by Michael Shermer though they do have one old copy of Carl Sagan's "The Demon-Haunted World".

I want nice, brand spanking new sceptical books to be purchased and placed on the new books display.

Can anyone tell me if any of Randi's books specifically mentions the charlatanism of Sylvia Browne? If not, which of his other books do you think I should request? I have already decided on Shermer's 'Why People Believe Weird Things'.

Side note: My first steps in scepticism followed the borrowing of a Martin Gardner book from that very library. Then I found out that my closest friend in town had asked them to get it in. I want to build on her good work.

Thanks.

 

[JJM]

For quackery, I still think “The Health Robbers” is most complete:
http://www.amazon.com/Health-Robbers-Quackery-America-Consumer/dp/0879758554/ref=sr_1_1/002-3231758-0948863?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190397439&sr=8-1

“A Consumer’s Guide to Alternative Medicine” is a bit more readable for a popular audience:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/002-3231758-0948863?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Kurt+Butler


For creationism, “Evolution vs. Creationism” is good:
http://www.amazon.com/Evolution-vs-Creationism-Eugenie-Scott/dp/0520246500/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-3231758-0948863?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190398230&sr=1-1


More general:

“The Skeptic’s Dictionary” is inexpensive:
http://www.amazon.com/Skeptics-Dictionary-Collection-Deceptions-Dangerous/dp/0471272426/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-3231758-0948863?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190397761&sr=1-1

“The Encyclopedia of the Paranormal” is good:
http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Paranormal-Gordon-Stein/dp/1573920215/ref=sr_1_2/002-3231758-0948863?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190397844&sr=1-2

I like Randi’s “Flim Flam”

 

[angrybeliever]

After seeing the dust jacket of a new book by Sylvia Browne displayed at my local library I want to put in a request for them to buy one of Randi's books. They have nothing by Randi or by Michael Shermer though they do have one old copy of Carl Sagan's "The Demon-Haunted World".

I want nice, brand spanking new sceptical books to be purchased and placed on the new books display.

Can anyone tell me if any of Randi's books specifically mentions the charlatanism of Sylvia Browne? If not, which of his other books do you think I should request? I have already decided on Shermer's 'Why People Believe Weird Things'.

Side note: My first steps in scepticism followed the borrowing of a Martin Gardner book from that very library. Then I found out that my closest friend in town had asked them to get it in. I want to build on her good work.

Thanks.

Hi,

My suggestion for you is that you purchase whatever book you want to be in the library and donate it to them. Most of the books at our libraries come directly from the publishers. I believe that is how most of it is done. There is also a large donation factor with libraries. I am a rabid reader, and donate a great deal of my books to the library. Most of them are new copies purchased from the bookstore, and THEY haven't even gotten a copy of them yet.

Sylvia's book is prominently displayed, I believe, because it is a new release. So, look for one of Randi's new books, and go for it.

AB

 

[Blue Wode]

I want nice, brand spanking new sceptical books to be purchased and placed on the new books display.

Can anyone tell me if any of Randi's books specifically mentions the charlatanism of Sylvia Browne? If not, which of his other books do you think I should request?

You might like to consider Randi’s 'The Faith Healers'. Its dedication is particularly moving:

There was a small boy on crutches. I do not know his name, and I suspect I never will. But I will never forget his face, his smile, his sorrow. He is one of the millions robbed of hope and dignity by charlatans discussed in this book. Wherever and whoever he is I apologize to him for not having been able to protect him from such an experience. I humbly dedicate this book to him and to the many others who have suffered because the rest of us began caring too late.

Also good are Randi’s 'An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural' in which he gives skeptical definitions of alternate realities, and 'The Truth About Uri Geller' in which he exposes the methods used by Uri Geller to try to fool (most of) the world.

Non-Randi books worth considering are 'Voodoo Science' by Robert Park and, as mentioned by JJM, 'The Health Robbers'.

All of them are extremely enlightening, straightforward reads.

Good luck!

 

[jenspen]

Thanks for the suggestions. Because they are more recent I've decided to push for "The Skeptic's Dictionary" (wish it had a less off-putting title though) and "Why People Believe Weird Things" (great title). Would love there to be a more up-to-date edition of The Health Robbers though the subtitle - "A Close Look at Quackery in America" - mightn't get it past a provincial Australian librarian.

If necessary I will follow the suggestion to donate the books myself.

 

[JJM]

{snip} Would love there to be a more up-to-date edition of The Health Robbers though the subtitle - "A Close Look at Quackery in America" - mightn't get it past a provincial Australian librarian.

If necessary I will follow the suggestion to donate the books myself.

If the subtitle to "Health Robbers" may not pass, definitely go for “A Consumer’s Guide to Alternative Medicine” :
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/002-3231758-0948863?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Kurt+Butler

The author (Kurt Butler) later wrote about being asked to appear on a national TV show about sCAM. The producer had his book; but had not examined it. The producer asked Butler if he could give some examples of miraculous cures.(?) Butler said "no" but he could relate the story of the naturopath whose treatment assured his own wife's death. The producer never called back.

As far as donating books- ask about policies, first. Some have stringent rules that don't allow the type of book they won't order. Some don't accept any at all.

 

[kedo1981]

JR's "Mask of Nostordamus (spelling)" is a good one and in my local Libary it's right next to all the other books about our fFf (favorite-French-faker) .

 

[Vim Razz]

These are two I'd recomend for the short list:

Lynne Kelly's The Skeptic's Guide to the Paranormal(2005) is a highly readable (and quite recent) introduction to a variety of topics. (chapter preview) Ms. Kelly also happens to be an aussie which may help make the sale in your area. You never know.

Another fantastic read from recent years is Mary Roach's Spook(2005). Ms. Roach takes a comprehensive look at the search for evidence of an afterlife, reincarnation, or a material soul (and at the searchers for such things) from both a historical and modern perspective. This is the most entertaining skeptical book in print, bar none, making it highly acessible to those who might otherwise be dubious.