The League of Scientists reviews from skeptic celebrities
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By Andy Kaiser
Article ID: 153
League of Scientists book reviews – the reviewers and you
Many of you remember my associated project – “The League of Scientists” – a book series that stars a bunch of science geeks who use skepticism and critical thinking to solve seemingly-supernatural mysteries. Multiple people now have compared it (in a good way) to the mystery-solving process in ‘Scooby-Doo’. More and more, I’m grudgingly agreeing with this analysis, because at the heart of it all, it’s true. The League investigates weird mysteries, and similar to the Scooby gang, finds that the ghosts and goblins have completely natural and understandable explanations.
The book isn’t available yet – the latest estimate from the publisher is that the League of Scientists book #1: Ghost in the Water will be out in late 2011. So while I have to be patient, I’ve got plenty to do in the meantime. And I’ll of course let you know as soon as possible when I have a printed copy in my hands.
I have some great reviews from leaders in the skeptical and critical thinking community. My thanks to everyone. Here are some of those reviews.
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“I read Ghost in the Water by Andy Kaiser. This is pitched for sixth grade level, but don’t let that fool you; it’s a very nice story. Five bright six graders form the secret-membership League of Scientists to solve supernatural mysteries by explaining them in natural terms.
It reminds me of the old radio program, circa 1950, House of Mystery, that did something similar, only for adults. I remember when the head of a cursed castle had to go down in the dungeon overnight to face the malignant spirit of a criminal ancestor whose body was shackled in chains; prior men had done this and been found dead in the morning, unmarked. Indeed, the spook was expecting him: the coffin stood upright facing the door. What a manifestation! It turned out that the tide came in and flooded the dungeon, drowning the poor men locked there. The coffin was standing because the chains around the ancestor’s feet weighed down that part, and the water lifted the rest up. Okay, Ghost in the Water is not as ugly, but you get the idea. The school’s leading swimmer is attacked by a green ghost in the water and doesn’t want to swim any more, meaning the rival teams will win by default. Time for the League to step in; there has to be a natural explanation. Doesn’t there? The protagonists are realistically described; one is being pursued by an implacable bully, complicating his existence, because of course the school authorities are oblivious. I loved this novel, and believe most readers of any age will too. It’s one great adventure with an educational theme, with luck the first of a series.” Piers Anthony |
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“I found the first chapter so intriguing that I couldn’t stop reading until I finished the entire book.”
Stephen Barrett, M.D. |
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“As I read this book, I kept remembering Carl Sagan’s answer to a reporter asking what his favorite scientific TV show was: ‘Scooby Doo!’
For the same reasons I can heartily recommend this adventure in scientific thinking.” Ann Druyan |
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“This is the kind of story I wish I could have read as a kid. It would have put me ten years ahead in my understanding of why science is both fun and important.
Science is all about solving mysteries. The League of Scientists reminded me that it’s an adventure too. Even when it’s in the middle of the night and you’ve been working for thirty hours straight, in a way you’re a superhero blazing new trails and learning things nobody’s seen before.” Brian Dunning |
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“This adventure of The League of Scientists is… a wonderful introduction to scientific detective work and critical thinking skills – all wrapped up in a delicious mystery! Although the exploits are shared with young readers, this seasoned detective looks forward to the League’s next adventure.”
Joe Nickell |
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“With ‘Ghost in the Water,’ author Kaiser has given a younger generation a highly readable adventure/detective story that carries an important lesson. Those students who care to peek behind that curtain where the Wizard of Oz was hidden, will find this very sodden spook no more than the expected illusion, an error of judgment. I trust that some of these readers will become politicians, and use such wisdom to help us all arrive at more sober conclusions.
I see a great, bright future for the League of Scientists. If this is only their beginning adventure, I can see that they still have so many possibilities of making real sense of matters that are so often seen by the public as deep mysteries and strange ‘truths’ that — if really true — would fly in the face of what we’ve discovered in the last few centuries about reality. Can’t wait for #2…” James Randi |
Next up for the League of Scientists is to get the word out to educators – teachers, librarians, ideally people with an influential position in science education. If you know any or are one yourself, please contact me and let me know. I’d like to get the book into their hands to get reviews from the educational community. Again, if you think you can help, please do. I look forward to hearing from you!
Other articles related to this topic:
- The big list of critical thinking and skeptical resources
- Trading my fingers for aliens
- Book review of “The Flight of Dragons” by Peter Dickinson: How dragons could have evolved and existed
- Religious deference taken to extremes
- Defaulting to ignorance: What Bill O’Reilly and the Insane Clown Posse have in common
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