'Science Under Siege'

July 13th, 2009

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"Science under siege: Defending science, exposing pseudoscience" is published by Prometheus Books (ISBN 978-1-59102-715-7). Credit: Prometheus Books

For more than thirty years, The Skeptical Inquirer has steadfastly championed science and reason and been the leading voice for reliable scientific examination of the paranormal and other questionable claims popularized by the media and mass culture. In this new collection of outstanding recent articles, SCIENCE UNDER SCIEGE: DEFENDING SCIENCE, EXPOSING PSEUDOSCIENCE (Prometheus Books, $21.98), editor Kendrick Frazier has selected some of the best writing on topics of current interest. Among the highlights are:

• "A Skeptical Look at September 11th" which prompted a drove of responses (many angry) and was selected by Richard Dawkins for the Best Science and Nature Writing of 2003.
  
• Carl Sagan's final question-and-answer piece on the topic of science and skeptical inquiry.
  
• Ann Druyan's beautifully expressed "Science, Religion, Wonder, and Awe."
  
• NASA scientist Stuart Jordan's excellent appraisal of the scientific evidence for global warming, which prompted much critical response and led to another follow-up article.
  
• Five articles on the evolution vs. intelligent design controversy
  
• Two physicians' articles that strongly defend the value of vaccinations and critique the anti-vaccination movement
  

Other distinguished contributors include Mario Bunge, Martin Gardner, Paul Kurtz, Chris Mooney, Stephen Pinker, Ray Hyman, Joe Nickell, and many others. A total of thirty-seven stimulating articles explore science and skeptical inquiry, public controversies, and investigating pseudoscientific claims. This excellent collection is a must for scientists, educators, skeptics, and everyone concerned about scientific literacy.

"[This] collection brings a well-chosen selection of logical and well-reasoned pieces before a general audience that would enjoy and benefit from the analyses and exposés that are included," said Jay M. Pasachoff, Field Memorial Professor of Astronomy, Director, Hopkins Observatory, Williams College. "At a time when the public health is endangered by misunderstandings about the pros and cons of vaccinations, for example, or the future of the world bears consideration of what to do about global warming, the articles contained in this excellent selection should be widely read."

In this outstanding compilation, Frazier aims to reach audiences well beyond the loyal readers of The Skeptical Inquirer—scientists and scholars in all fields, educators and teachers, students and inquirers at all levels. The selected essays provide a timely new exploration of important public issues within science and along it borders, and are a must for everyone concerned about scientific literacy.

Kendrick Frazier (Albuquerque, NM) is editor of the Skeptical Inquirer, former editor of Science News, and the editor of four previous collections, including "Encounters with the Paranormal" and "Science Confronts the Paranormal." He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Source: Prometheus Books