Synopses & Reviews
Skeptics of the supernatural will enjoy this humorous jaunt through the long history of scientific inquiry into paranormal and psychic phenomena. Life after death, spirit communication, the astral plane, reincarnation: on the relatively rare occasions when scientists have tried to apply their methods to the paranormal, they've often ended up embarrassed—fooled by obvious charlatans, deluded into making irrational and unsubstantiated claims, or frustrated in their attempt to find something that just isn’t there. John Grant—author of Discarded Science and Corrupted Science—investigates the pseudoscience of spooky stuff to fascinating and often hilarious effect.
Synopsis
Alchemy, the flat earth theory, lost worlds, and aliens among us: these ideas once seemed plausibleand#151;but now we know theyand#8217;re just plain wrong. Take a fun journey through the history of science as it transforms from a field of wild speculation into a powerful tool of understanding. Explore the world in upheaval as Earth changed from center of the universe to a smallish planet orbiting an average star. Find out about hidden races and unknown creatures (like Yetis); early and bizarre thoughts on evolution; ancient astronauts and UFO crazes; the music of the spheres; the acquisition of virtues through cannibalism, and much more!
Synopsis
Galileo, Einstein, Curie, Darwin, Hawkingandmdash; we know the names, but how much do we really know about these people? Galileo gained notoriety over his battle with the Vatican, but did you know that this andldquo;father of modern scienceandrdquo; was also an accomplished lute player? And Darwin of course discovered the principle by which new species are formed, but his bold curiosity extended to the dinner table as well. (And how many people can say theyandrsquo;ve eaten an owl!) In Eureka! John Grant -- author of Debunk It!, Discarded Science, Spooky Science and many others -- offers fifty vivid portraits of groundbreaking scientists. From lutes and owls to astronomy and evolution, Eureka! explains how these scientific geniuses have shaped our understanding andndash; and how they spent their free time as well.
About the Author
John Grant is the author of some 70 books and recipient of two Hugo Awards, the World Fantasy Award, the Locus Award, and a number of other international literary awards. He coedited with John Clute The Encyclopedia of Fantasy (Orbit/St Martin’s) and wrote in their entirety all three editions of The Encyclopedia of Walt Disney’s Animated Characters (Hyperion); both encyclopedias are standard reference works in their field. His A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Film Noir: The Definitive Reference Guide, published by Limelight in Fall 2013, has the distinction of being the largest film noir encyclopedia ever written. Among his other recently published nonfiction books are the highly successful Discarded Science,Corrupted Science, and Bogus Science (all AAPPL/Sterling). He lives in NJ.