Pseudoscience and Extraordinary Claims of the Paranormal: A Critical Thinker's Toolkit

"This book, particularly in regard to its discussion of memory errors and its insistence on the value of real science, takes a place of prominence on my personal library shelf."
–James Randi, Chairman of the James Randi Educational Foundation

"I am astonished by the excellence of this book. Smith has produced a highly readable and very entertaining yet critical examination of virtually the entire gamut of paranormal claims, and he demonstrates an encyclopedic knowledge of the field in doing so. While drawing extensively from psychology, physics, logical analysis and history, he always manages to keep things clear and straightforward, so that one is never lost in complexity. Moreover, the tone is light-hearted throughout, and never becomes pedantic or condescending. And the book offers much more than an evaluation of extraordinary claims. It provides a refined set of critical thinking tools that the reader will find invaluable in everyday life. I strongly recommend this book to everyone who values the pursuit of truth in all things. And I can only wish that those who know that they already have the truth would read it as well, for they need it the most."
–James Alcock, PhD, Professor of Psychology, York University

"Can you be both a critical thinker and a believer in the paranormal? The “reality checks” in Jonathan Smith’s Critical Thinker’s Toolkit will guide you to your answer."
–Robert Todd Carroll, author of The Skeptic's Dictionary

"An excellent, engaging, and highly readable introduction to the paranormal and to the distinction between science and pseudoscience. A superb student-friendly guide to extraordinary claims. Chock full of interesting and fun examples, not to mention humor. Should become a favorite in undergraduate psychology courses."
–Scott O. Lilienfeld, Emory University