Occult Philosophy

Extrasensory Deception

Name: Extrasensory Deception
Price: 36.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (2 reviews)
Author: Gordon, Henry
ISBN: 9780879754075

Gordon, Henry

Reader rating

4.7

(1 reviews) 74 sold

$36.00

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📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Unmasking the paranormal, one trick at a time, with sharp wit and a magician's eye.

Henry Gordon, a seasoned journalist and accomplished magician, takes readers on an investigative journey through the often-murky world of alleged psychic abilities and supernatural phenomena. This collection of essays, drawn from his weekly columns, offers a robust, no-holds-barred critique of psychics, astrologers, and various purveyors of paranormal claims. With a blend of common sense, humor, and a magician's insight into deception, Gordon dissects the methods employed by figures like Uri Geller and Shirley MacLaine, exposing them not as supernatural feats but as clever artifices. It's an illuminating and often entertaining read for the critically minded.

Key themes

Skeptical Investigation Exposing Deception Advocacy for Rationality

Historical context

This work emerges from the skeptical tradition of paranormal investigation, leveraging the unique perspective of a magician to dissect supernatural claims with journalistic rigor. It sits firmly within the lineage of critical inquiry that challenges the validity of psychics and astrologers through practical demonstration and logical analysis.

Gordon, Henry

📚 all books by this author (2) →

Difficulty

● Easy

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🕯️ Occult Philosophy

🏛 Prometheus Books 📅 1987 📖 237 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9780879754075

Fun fact

Gordon's 'Extrasensory Deception' is a sharp, engaging collection that brilliantly applies journalistic rigor and a magician's insight to the world of psychic phenomena. It excels at demystifying the 'supernatural' with humor and clear logic. While invaluable for skeptics and those seeking a rational perspective, readers hoping for validation of paranormal beliefs will find it disappointing. This book remains a foundational text in skeptical literature, offering a refreshing, evidence-based counterpoint to the often-uncritical acceptance of extraordinary claims.

📝 Description: Extrasensory Deception

The world of the paranormal can be a strange and fascinating place. Mystery and adventure may lurk around every corner, waiting to be explored. Henry Gordon has journeyed through this realm of psychic powers and has come back kicking. In an eye-opening collection of essays, aptly titled ExtraSensory Deception, Gordon, a professional magician and journalist, takes on psychics, astrologers, myth-makers and other assorted purveyors of the paranormal, and shines the light of common sense into the murky darkness that is the world of paranormal claims. Culled from Gordon's weekly columns for the Toronto Sunday Star, this book collects his commentaries on -The Paranormal-, -Prophecy-, -Spirits-, -Superstition-, -Pseudoscience-, -Higher Life-, and -Truth-. Not one to pull punches, he gives a hard-hitting, often humorous, first-person account of his adventures among some of the -big names- in the paranormal movement, including New Age heroine Shirley MacLaine, faith-healer Peter Popoff, UFO guru Stanton (the Flying Saucer Physicist) Friedman, and psychic superstar Uri Geller. Gordon exposes the methods used by -psychics- and other practitioners of -extrasensory- powers for what they are - the sleight-of-hand and mentalist tricks that he and other magicians have used on stage for decades. The focus of the book is not, however, to merely debunk the excessive and unverifiable claims made by the paranormalists. As Gordon states, -It seems clear. Once a person comes under the influence of these supernatural beliefs, his or her mind ceases to function at a normal level of reasoning.- By laying bare the dangers of uncritical acceptance of such claims, this book makes an impassioned plea for an increased use of rational intelligence and critical thinking skills for solving our problems.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Gordon delivers a spirited defense of rationality, using his insider knowledge of stage magic to demystify alleged supernatural feats. The tone is engaging, blending humor with serious investigative journalism to expose the mechanics behind famous deceptions like Uri Geller’s spoons. However, readers seeking deep metaphysical exploration or sympathetic portrayals of spiritualist practices will likely feel alienated by the author’s dismissive stance. This is not a book for those invested in the validity of the paranormal, as it leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the authenticity of such claims. It is strictly for skeptics who enjoy a good debunking.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate clear-headed skepticism and the art of illusion will find this book particularly rewarding. Henry Gordon’s background as both a journalist and a magician provides a dual lens that is both entertaining and educational. Those weary of uncritical acceptance of psychic claims will enjoy the sharp wit and logical deconstruction offered here. It is ideal for curious minds who want to understand how deception works without being misled by it. The collection serves as a protective guide against gullibility, offering laughter alongside insight. If you value truth over mystery and prefer evidence-based explanations for extraordinary claims, this book provides a refreshing and robust critique that empowers the critically minded reader.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.7/5

★★★★★

If you're drawn to the enigmatic but crave a rational perspective, or if you appreciate a well-argued critique of popular New Age claims, this collection is for you. It offers a refreshing antidote to uncritical acceptance, encouraging readers to think independently.

Reader rating

4.7

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Gordon delivers a spirited defense of rationality, using his insider knowledge of stage magic to demystify alleged supernatural feats. The tone is engaging, blending humor with serious investigative journalism to expose the mechanics behind famous deceptions like Uri Geller’s spoons. However, readers seeking deep metaphysical exploration or sympathetic portrayals of spiritualist practices will likely feel alienated by the author’s dismissive stance. This is not a book for those invested in the validity of the paranormal, as it leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the authenticity of such claims. It is strictly for skeptics who enjoy a good debunking.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No, Gordon primarily targets specific, verifiable claims of psychic powers and paranormal abilities, rather than exploring broader spiritual or philosophical concepts. His focus is on exposing deception, not discrediting personal faith.

Gordon scrutinizes well-known figures from the 20th-century paranormal movement, including "psychic superstar" Uri Geller, New Age icon Shirley MacLaine, and faith-healer Peter Popoff, among others, analyzing their public performances and claims.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Skeptical Investigation

Gordon applies a rigorous, skeptical lens to extraordinary claims of psychic power and prophecy. He doesn't dismiss experiences outright but demands verifiable evidence, methodically dissecting anecdotes and public demonstrations to reveal underlying mechanisms. This theme encourages readers to question and analyze rather than accept at face value.

Exposing Deception

Leveraging his background as a professional magician, Gordon expertly exposes the techniques used by those claiming supernatural powers. He illustrates how principles of misdirection, cold reading, and other forms of trickery can create the illusion of genuine psychic ability, effectively pulling back the curtain on alleged miracles and prophecies.

Advocacy for Rationality

Throughout his essays, Gordon champions the power of common sense and critical thinking. He argues for a world where wonder is found in understanding reality, not in subscribing to unsubstantiated paranormal narratives. This theme promotes intellectual honesty and a scientific approach to understanding human experience.

💬 Quotes from the book

“The truly extraordinary always bears scrutiny, and often, what seems miraculous is merely a clever sleight of hand disguised as destiny.”

“When confronted with claims of the impossible, one must ask not 'how could it be true?' but 'how else could this be achieved?'”

📜 Historical context

Published amidst a surge in New Age spirituality and widespread fascination with psychic phenomena, Gordon's work stands as a crucial counter-narrative. It aligns with a long tradition of skeptical inquiry, echoing earlier debunkers like Harry Houdini, providing a much-needed voice of reason during a period where paranormal claims often went unchallenged in mainstream media.

📚 Glossary

Paranormal
Pseudoscience
Debunking

📔 Questions to reflect on

Reflect on a time you encountered a seemingly inexplicable event. How might Gordon's 'common sense' approach help you analyze it differently now?
Gordon, as a magician, understands deception. How does understanding the mechanics of illusion impact our ability to critically assess claims of the paranormal?
In an age of abundant information, what responsibility do individuals have in discerning truth from fiction regarding extraordinary claims, and how can they cultivate this discernment?