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The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

Written by: Steven Novella, Bob Novella - contributor, Cara Santa Maria - contributor, Jay Novella - contributor, Evan Bernstein - contributor
Narrated by: Steven Novella
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Publisher's Summary

An all-encompassing guide to skeptical thinking from podcast host and academic neurologist at Yale University School of Medicine Steven Novella and his SGU co-hosts, which Richard Wiseman calls "the perfect primer for anyone who wants to separate fact from fiction."

It is intimidating to realize that we live in a world overflowing with misinformation, bias, myths, deception, and flawed knowledge. There really are no ultimate authority figures - no one has the secret, and there is no place to look up the definitive answers to our questions (not even Google).

Luckily, The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe is your map through this maze of modern life. Here Dr. Steven Novella - along with Bob Novella, Cara Santa Maria, Jay Novella, and Evan Bernstein - will explain the tenets of skeptical thinking and debunk some of the biggest scientific myths, fallacies, and conspiracy theories - from anti-vaccines to homeopathy, UFO sightings to N-rays. You'll learn the difference between science and pseudoscience, essential critical thinking skills, ways to discuss conspiracy theories with that crazy co-worker of yours, and how to combat sloppy reasoning, bad arguments, and superstitious thinking.

So are you ready to join them on an epic scientific quest, one that has taken us from huddling in dark caves to setting foot on the moon? (Yes, we really did that.) Don't Panic! With The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe, we can do this together.

"Thorough, informative, and enlightening, The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe inoculates you against the frailties and shortcomings of human cognition. If this book does not become required reading for us all, we may well see modern civilization unravel before our eyes." (Neil deGrasse Tyson)

"In this age of real and fake information, your ability to reason, to think in scientifically skeptical fashion, is the most important skill you can have. Read The Skeptics' Guide Universe; get better at reasoning. And if this claim about the importance of reason is wrong, The Skeptics' Guide will help you figure that out, too." (Bill Nye)

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Steven Novella, Bob Novella, Cara Santa Maria, Jay Novella, Evan Bernstein (P)2018 Hachette Audio

What the critics say

"A terrific book for anyone who wants a better understanding about the world around them and an essential guide to navigating modern life. The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe will help readers recognize pitfalls in reasoning, combat bad arguments and avoid superstitious thinking." (Simon Singh, skeptic & author of Fermat's Enigma)

"If everyone in the world were to read this book, we might just arrest humankind's depressing slide into truthlessness. Someone should put the Skeptics' Guide on the vaccination schedule." (Tim Minchin)

"Empowering and illuminating, this thinker's paradise is an antidote to spreading anti-scientific sentiments. Readers will return to its ideas again and again." (Publisher's Weekly)

What listeners say about The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

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Great reference guide for the Skeptical movement.

Of course , you should seek independent verification and not trust anecdotes or testimonials, as the eye-opening experience I had listening to this book was neither double blinded nor placebo-controlled.

Similarly, my claim that this is the best book of its kind since Carl Sagan's "The Demon Haunted World" has not been the subject of scrupulous peer review.

The thrill I got from having so much information in one place is not of any clinical significance, as all psychological benefits I gained were non-specific and subject to the limitations of self-reporting.

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3 people found this helpful

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If you like questioning - READ THIS BOOK

Do you enjoy questioning what you are fed?
Do you suspect someone is pulling the wool over your eyes?
Are you fed up with the same horrible arguments being repeated?
Well read the SGU's book. This is a fantastic introduction to Skepticism and Scientific thinking - I could not rate it more highly.
The Rogues have done an amazing job of outlining and explaining many of those debates we all get dragged into and they serve as a great reality check for what we know, what is speculation and when charlatans are pulling a fast one on you. Happy reading

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2 people found this helpful

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A must-listen!

The book is fun and a great refresher (or introduction) to the vital skills of critical thinking and science skepticism. In a world so full of fakes and deception, this book feels like a breath of fresh air. I highly recommend it!

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Really enjoyed it.

This was a very good listen for anybody, not just fellow skeptics. Many people with psuedo-scientific beliefs would be better off after listening to this book. Highly recommended!

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a good overview of skepticism

This book covers skepticism and is a how to guide for critical thinking. I highly recommend this book.

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The book is real and really real. A must read.

A most excellent and effective book to enable anyone to think in a focused and curious manner.

Excellent book.

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Meatballs

Great book. Great narrator. I love the cast on the podcast.

We should all have meatballs together some day.

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Why this is not thought in school?

This is a must-read to navigate life and avoid falling into fake news traps, scams or fallacies.

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Awesome book!

This book and their podcast is extremely informative and entertaining. I have learned so much from them and am grateful they spend the time to write a book breaking down all the ideas. I wish this book was read in all schools. I can’t recommend it enough.

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A "must-listen"!

An exceptional book that should be required for everyone who cares about the input into their brains and the output out of their mouths. I know you may be skeptical of that statement - good for you. Listen to the book!

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