Skeptoid 3: Pirates, Pyramids, and Papyrus

by Brian Dunning, Richard Saunders (Foreword)

We live in a modern Dark Age. Faith in pseudoscience is rampant, and belief in the supernatural permeates society at every level. Critical thinking is key to understanding what is truly useful, and what merely distracts from progress and development. This book gives you the tools to sort the solid from the silly, and answer such questions

Can frogs and fish really fall out of the sky?
Is a vast pirate treasure buried in an elaborately engineered Money Pit on an island in Nova Scotia?
Did an angel save the British Expeditionary Force from the Germans in WWI?
Do the world's elite secretly govern from Bohemian Grove?
Is the world's largest ancient pyramid located in Bosnia?
Does the Min Min Light actually chase travelers through Australia's outback?

Author Brian Dunning hosts the Skeptoid podcast at Is this book, he casts his skeptical eye on fifty paranormal, cultural, and supernatural beliefs that are at best foolish, and at worst, deadly.

Genres: Skepticism

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Chris Seltzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I often wish the topics covered would go one level deeper.

I know this is impossible given the time constraints placed on the podcast format but a book seems like the perfect medium to give that extra level of detail.

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume turns the skeptical eye on a variety of topics from the bell witch to the Rendlesham UFO and lots of others. If you were a fan of Mythbusters, listen to the Skeptoid podcast, and/or consider yourself a skeptic, then you would probably enjoy this book. If you know a wide eyed true believer who falls for every new age, pseudo-scientific bit of nonsense that rolls along, then you should get them to read this book.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third installment of his skeptical inquiries about a variety of subjects that were highlighted on his podcast. Very interesting and informative.,

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshingly rational.