 | Carl Sagan - A Biography Astronomer, planetary scientist, astrophysicist, exobiologist, education, public figure, sceptic -- all these hats represent important parts of Carl Sagan's complex, multi-faceted career. Perhaps best known as the host of the popular television series, Cosmos Sagan offered to the world his extraordinary gift for cross-disciplinary research, his deep well of integrated visions and fruitful ideas, his vivid imagination, and his wealth of non-stop enthusiasm. This concise, lively biography examines Carl Sagan's steady growth as a man, as a scientist, and as a scientist and as a communicator -- a man who had both odd quirks and great charisma, who had an im-mensely eclectic knowledge base and a unique understanding of the central place of science in the human experience, all of which dovetailed smoothly with his phenomenal ability to communicate. Separate chapters are devoted to Sagan's interest in the origin of life, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI), and his work on Cosmos, where he collaborated with Ann Druyan, whom he eventually married and who remained his wife to the end of his life. There are also sections on Sagan's public advo-cacy for science and critical stance toward pseudoscience and his role as an activist for the environment and the safe use of atomic power. This updated, paperback edition contains many new photographs as well as textual additions by Ann Druyan. Veteran science writers Spangenburg and Moser have captured much of the enthusiasm, gift for effective communication, and unflinching honesty that characterised Carl Sagan's life and career. |
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 | Physics & Psychics The astonishing discoveries made by modern physics -- imploding black holes, ghost-like quarks, and the odd rules governing quantum mechanics -- have transformed our image of the physical world. A growing number of writers assert that such discoveries also demonstrate the existence of a non-physical, spiritual world, a world that permits a wide variety of paranormal and psychic phenomena. What exactly has physics shown us? Is there a world that transcends the sphere of the senses? Millions throughout history have thought so, but the existence of such a world is still accepted on faith alone. The tools of science have revealed no proof of spirits, ghosts, or supernatural phenomena. This book critically examines theories of a transcendent reality in terms of all that is currently known about matter at its most fundamental level. Victor J Stenger gives a provocative, often amusing history of psychic research and occult beliefs, offering a convincing rebuttal to those who attempt to link physics to mystical truths. Stenger examines a number of well-known paranormal claims and shows how they can be explained without resorting to supernatural or psychic hypotheses. Discussing quantum theory and relativity, he demonstrates that these concepts actually invalidate paranormal claims and that there is no scientific basis for a universe other than one composed of observable matter. The human species has always lived under the assumption that supernatural forces determine destiny. Can our lives retain meaning when this assumption seems unfounded? |
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 | The Roving Mind Isaac Asimov's death on 6 April 1992, was a great loss to the world of literary science and freethought. The prolific author's vision is unmatched today, and his pointed honesty shines through in "The Roving Mind", now reissued in this special tribute edition. This collection of essays is wide-ranging, reflecting Asimov's extraordinary skill in disseminating knowledge from across the spectrum of human thought. Some of the areas explored in this volume of 62 essays include creationism, pseudoscience, censorship, population, philosophy of science, transportation, computers and corporations of the future, and astronomy. His predictions about cloning which has only recently become the topic of public debate the theory of "technophobia", and other scientific developments are astounding. In a lighter tone, Asimov includes several personal stories from his life including thoughts on his style of writing and memories of family in younger days. With tributes by Arthur C Clarke, L Sprague de Camp, Harlan Ellison, Kendrick Frazier, Martin Gardner, Donald Goldsmith, Stephen Jay Gould, E C Krupp, Frederik Pohl, and Carl Sagan. |
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 | The Mormon Cult Scrutinising the experience of growing up Mormon, this personal narrative tells the story of one man's disillusionment with his faith and subsequent excommunication from the Church. This account reveals what is posited as inherent racism and sexism within the church and seeks to expose the controlling methods of indoctrination and the harsh process of excommunication. The basic tenets of the religion are explained, personal stories and analyses are shared, and church authorities are cited to support the claims of extreme gender and racial discrimination. From unknowing follower to angry rebel, and finally to a content, worldly man, this book recounts the experience of a survivor who feels the duty to explain his truth. |
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 | Paranormal Borderlands Of Science Headlines and television news reports feature accounts of reincarnation, the predictions of astrologers, and psychic "miracles". Citizens report UFO sightings. Police departments call on psychics to provide clues in baffling crimes. From every available information source, the public is bombarded with unsubstantiated claims of paranormal phenomena. How much of the evidence is reliable? What is the truth behind these claims? This is an exciting, well-informed examination of the most publicised and exotic claims of astrology, ESP, psychokinesis, precognition, UFOs, biorhythms, and other phenomena. Written by respected psychologists, astronomers and other scientists, philosophers, investigative journalists, and magicians, the 47 articles in this superb collection present a sceptical treatment of pseudoscientific claims - an aspect often sorely neglected in sensationalised media reports. The book is an effort to help readers sort fact from fiction and sense from nonsense among the astonishing variety of assertions labeled "paranormal". Never before published in book form, the essays in this anthology originally appeared in the Skeptical Inquirer, a leading magazine devoted to the critical investigation of pseudoscience from a scientific viewpoint. Among the contributors are: Isaac Asimov (distinguished science fiction author), Martin Gardner (Scientific American columnist), James Randi (The Amazing Randi), Philip Klass (noted UFO sceptic), Scot Morris (Omni), and James Oberg (NASA). An essential contribution to sceptical literature, this book will be of lasting value to all those wishing to balance the case for paranormal claims by reading the dissenting critics. |
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 | Don't Call Me Brother Austin Miles has been a well-known circus ringmaster for most of his adult life. It was, he found, good preparation for his experiences with PTL and the Assemblies of God churches. Miles is the first ordained Assembly of God minister to leave the movement and write an in-depth book revealing the inner workings of this sect. This is not rumour, not innuendo. It is fact, seen first-hand, and fully described for the first time. This is not a book written by an outside observer - Austin Miles was an active participant in the evolution of the PTL Club. Austin Miles was on intimate terms with the entire cast of PTL's characters and the high-tech world of Christian movers and shakers: Jim Bakker, Tammy Faye Bakker, Pat Robertson, Charles and Frances Hunter, Richard Dortch, John Wesley Fletcher, Christian celebrities such as Pat Boone and Ephram Zimbalist, Jr., and many others. Austin Miles opened the door on the steam room where Jim Bakker was cavorting -- in the nude -- with three other men. Austin Miles was there when televangelism hatched its super-successful fund-raising schemes, and he participated in the staged "financial crisis" telethon, during which millions of dollars poured into the coffers of the PTL Club. Austin Miles watched the development of Jim Bakker's violent mood swings and saw the chilling possibility that Jim Bakker could have become another Jim Jones. Austin Miles was there when Jim Bakker started a fist fight with his producer over the favours of the current Miss America. Austin Miles had fame, wealth, and a wonderful family. But by the time he finally broke free of the fanatic world of the religious right, he had lost everything. This is his story. A poignant, outrageous, sometimes hilarious drama peopled with colourful real-life characters. Building to a climax with a surprise double-twist ending, this story is tough but fair, a must-read for those who want to know what really happens in the world of America's media-glitzed charismatic religions. |
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 | The Transcendental Temptation In this widely acclaimed and highly controversial book, Paul Kurtz examines the reasons why people accept supernatural and paranormal belief systems in spite of substantial evidence to the contrary. According to Kurtz, it is because there is within the human species a deeply rooted tendency toward magical thinking -- the "transcendental temptation" -- which undermines critical judgement and paves the way for wilful beliefs. Kurtz explores in detail the three major monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam -- finding striking psychological and sociological parallels between these religions, the spiritualism of the 19th century, and the paranormal belief systems of today. There are sections on mysticism, belief in the afterlife, the existence of God, reincarnation, astrology, and ufology. Kurtz also expresses the nature of scepticism as an antidote to belief in the transcendental. |
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 | Jinn From Hyperspace This new collection of Gardner gems takes its name from an essay on a mathematical theme, about a jinn (or genie) trapped in a 'Klein Bottle' -- an amusing tale that also teaches the maths phobic something interesting about a theoretical one-sided object with no distinction between inside and outside. |
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 | Paperback Apocalypse The author traces the origin and scriptural basis for such beliefs as the Rapture, Second Coming, Antichrist and Messianic Prophesy. He emphasises that the writers of the new Testament consistently set a 1st century deadline for the return of Jesus Christ and yet the stubborn fact that the Second Coming obviously did not occur has not deterred fundamentalist Christians from blindly predicting the event throughout the centuries up to the present day. Price then critiques the raft of previous apocalyptic novels before turning to the 'Left Behind' series. He offers both literary and theological criticism, while explaining the psychological appeal of the books. |
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 | Joy of Physics For those who have always wanted to discover the joy of physics, this is the book for you. Many people remember their struggles with the topic in school and have wished for the right opportunity to gain an appreciation of this significant area of knowledge. Here the chance to understand physics and also to do physics. |
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