Phoenix Skeptic Book Club

Skeptics,

With a sample of one successful book club I think it's safe to conclude that all skeptic book club meetups are fun! Well, it may not be science, but I'm sticking to it.

After getting feedback at the last meetup, Caroline and I have chosen two modern classics for March. Both are available on Kindle and in paperback for reasonable prices. Here are the details:

#1: Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson

From Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Mistakes-Were-Made-But-Not/dp/0156033909/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329102139&sr=8-1):

"Why do people dodge responsibility when things fall apart? Why the parade of public figures unable to own up when they screw up? Why the endless marital quarrels over who is right? Why can we see hypocrisy in others but not in ourselves? Are we all liars? Or do we really believe the stories we tell?Backed by years of research and delivered in lively, energetic prose, Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) offers a fascinating explanation of self-deception—how it works, the harm it can cause, and how we can overcome it."

#2: Trick or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst

From Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Trick-Treatment-Undeniable-Alternative-Medicine/dp/0393337782/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1329102233&sr=1-1):

"Whether you are an ardent believer in alternative medicine, a skeptic, or are simply baffled by the range of services and opinions, this groundbreaking analysis lays to rest doubts and contradictions with authority, integrity, and clarity. Over thirty of the most popular treatments—including acupuncture, homeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology, chiropractic, and herbal medicines—are examined for their benefits and potential dangers. What works and what doesn’t? Who can you trust, and who is ripping you off? In its scrutiny of alternative and complementary cures, this book also strives to reassert the primacy of the scientific method as a means for determining public health practice and policy."

I hope everyone enjoys this month's selections. Learn it up!

• Matt