Books › Frauds, myths, and mysteries
Frauds, myths, and mysteries
science and pseudoscience in archaeology
First published 1990 · 416 pages
A witty, sharp-eyed dismantling of history's most persistent hoaxes and pseudoscientific tall tales.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like sitting in on a lecture by your favorite, most exasperated college professor—the one who uses dry humor and relentless logic to tear apart popular nonsense. It moves at a brisk, engaging pace, trading dense academic jargon for conversational wit as it walks you through history's most famous archaeological hoaxes and pseudoscientific claims. The mood is deeply grounded and intellectually satisfying; there is a distinct pleasure in watching wild theories about ancient aliens or lost continents get systematically dismantled by the scientific method. It is a celebration of critical thinking that will delight skeptics, history enthusiasts, and anyone who loves the clarifying light of reason cutting through the fog of a good myth.
- Mood
- inquisitive
- grounded
- intellectually satisfying
- Tone
- wry
- skeptical
- educational
- humorous
- rational
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- critical thinking · human gullibility · the scientific method · historical truth · the allure of the unknown
- The writing
- Accessible and conversational, laced with a sharp, exasperated wit that keeps the academic subject matter highly engaging.
- The arc
- Moves from the tantalizing appeal of wild historical claims to the deeply satisfying clarity of rational debunking.
- Who it's for
- Curious skeptics and history buffs who delight in seeing ancient alien theories and historical hoaxes dismantled by hard evidence.
Content notes
- discussions of historical racism
- colonialist attitudes
About the book
Translation of: Frauds, myths, and mysteries.
Includes bibliographical references (p. [267]-288) and index.
Description from Open Library.
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