This book opens your eyes to so much that is going on around us. It covers everything from Alien Abductees to the Holocaust to Creantionists. You will disagree with the author's views on several issues, but you will find yourself questioning your own beliefs. A great read for any skeptic.

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Why do so many people believe in mind-reading, past-life regression, abductions by extraterrestials and ghosts? What has given rise to belief in "scientific creationism?" And why do some people claim that the Holocaust "never happened?" This book asaults modern, popular superstitions and prejudices.

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Good skeptic stuff, interestingly written. Includes Why SMART People believe weird things.

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While I respect and enjoy Michael Shermer's work, particularly his "Skeptic" column in Scientific American, I was a bit disappointed with this book. After hearing a radio interview he did to promote the book when it first came out, I was chomping at the bit to read it. It was definitely interesting, but the title should have been "Weird Things People Believe," because the book never answered its own question. It's more of a catalog and history of various irrational convictions. Had I known this going in, I probably would have enjoyed it more, but I couldn't help missing the inquiry I'd been anticipating.

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Very interesting read. Makes you think and wonder about things.

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With so many articles and books today about the sometimes-irrational economic behavior of our species, this book from the '90s might feel a little thin, but it's still a decent introduction to some concepts.

In a way, this is two books. The first part highlights the top superstitions of the time, such as the recovered memory movement, Satanic or sex-abuse cults, astrology, ESP, etc. Shermer outlines the psychological reasons why belief persists in the face of contrary evidence. (For example, many of us suck at probability, me included!)

The second half spends a significant amount of time on Holocaust denial, including interviews with some of the people involved in that movement. While that's a great topic, I felt like the book had veered away from why I picked it up in the first place: the why.

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