The Paranormal: Who Believes, Why They Believe, and Why It Matters by Erich Good

The Nile on eBay   The Paranormal by Erich Goode

Angels, ESP, psychics, ghosts, communicating with the dead, UFOs - these are just some of the astounding phenomena accepted as valid by a substantial proportion of the public. This title explores paranormal beliefs as a social phenomenon - who believes, why, and what are the consequences?

FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

This is an insightful and engaging exploration of paranormal belief as a sociological phenomenon. Angels, ESP, psychics, ghosts, communicating with the dead, UFOs - these are just some of the astounding phenomena accepted as valid by a substantial proportion of the public. Why do so many members of our scientifically sophisticated society believe in phenomena that scientists roundly and almost unanimously reject? Unlike many books on the paranormal, which usually focus on debunking or verifying such beliefs, this volume explores paranormal beliefs as a social phenomenon - who believes, why, and what are the consequences?

Author Biography

Erich Goode is Sociology Professor Emeritus at Stony Brook University.

Review

""Goode's unique and outstanding work directs an illuminating sociological beam of light on one of humanity's most fascinating riddles: the paranormal. His integrated analysis provides a straightforward and clear examination of who believes in the paranormal, and why. Such an integrated and significant approach has never been presented before. Goode offers truly fresh insights and a persuasive new perspective. . . . It is the one book you simply must read if you really want to know and understand what the paranormal is all about." --Nachman Ben-Yehuda, professor of sociology and former dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Hebrew University "It's easy enough to make fun of bizarre claims about the paranormal and supposed alternative realities, from UFOs and astrology to ghost hunting and pseudoprophecy. What Erich Goode has done, though, is to examine such claims seriously from the point of view of an experienced sociologist, showing how [such] deviant ideas arise and spread. This highly readable and rewarding book tells us a great deal about the mass media and our educational system, and how contradictory ways of understanding the world coexist so uneasily in a postmodern society." --Philip Jenkins, Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of History and Religious Studies, Pennsylvania State University

Long Description

This is an insightful and engaging exploration of paranormal belief as a sociological phenomenon. Angels, ESP, psychics, ghosts, communicating with the dead, UFOs - these are just some of the astounding phenomena accepted as valid by a substantial proportion of the public. Why do so many members of our scientifically sophisticated society believe in phenomena that scientists roundly and almost unanimously reject? Unlike many books on the paranormal, which usually focus on debunking or verifying such beliefs, this volume explores paranormal beliefs as a social phenomenon - who believes, why, and what are the consequences?

Review Text

""Goode's unique and outstanding work directs an illuminating sociological beam of light on one of humanity's most fascinating riddles: the paranormal. His integrated analysis provides a straightforward and clear examination of who believes in the paranormal, and why. Such an integrated and significant approach has never been presented before. Goode offers truly fresh insights and a persuasive new perspective. . . . It is the one book you simply must read if you really want to know and understand what the paranormal is all about." --Nachman Ben-Yehuda, professor of sociology and former dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Hebrew University"It's easy enough to make fun of bizarre claims about the paranormal and supposed alternative realities, from UFOs and astrology to ghost hunting and pseudoprophecy. What Erich Goode has done, though, is to examine such claims seriously from the point of view of an experienced sociologist, showing how [such] deviant ideas arise and spread. This highly readable and rewarding book tells us a great deal about the mass media and our educational system, and how contradictory ways of understanding the world coexist so uneasily in a postmodern society."--Philip Jenkins, Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of History and Religious Studies, Pennsylvania State University

Review Quote

"Goode's unique and outstanding work directs an illuminating sociological beam of light on one of humanity's most fascinating riddles: the paranormal. His integrated analysis provides a straightforward and clear examination of who believes in the paranormal, and why. Such an integrated and significant approach has never been presented before. Goode offers truly fresh insights and a persuasive new perspective. . . . It is the one book you simply must read if you really want to know and understand what the paranormal is all about." -Nachman Ben-Yehuda, professor of sociology and former dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Hebrew University "It's easy enough to make fun of bizarre claims about the paranormal and supposed alternative realities, from UFOs and astrology to ghost hunting and pseudoprophecy. What Erich Goode has done, though, is to examine such claims seriously from the point of view of an experienced sociologist, showing how [such] deviant ideas arise and spread. This highly readable and rewarding book tells us a great deal about the mass media and our educational system, and how contradictory ways of understanding the world coexist so uneasily in a postmodern society." -Philip Jenkins, Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of History and Religious Studies, Pennsylvania State University

Details ISBN1616144912 Author Erich Goode Publisher Prometheus Books ISBN-10 1616144912 ISBN-13 9781616144913 Format Paperback Imprint Prometheus Books Place of Publication Amherst Country of Publication United States DEWEY 130 Short Title PARANORMAL Language English Media Book Residence NY, US Affiliation Editor, State University of New York, Stony Brook SUNY at Stony Brook Year 2011 Publication Date 2011-12-20 Pages 335 Subtitle Who Believes, Why They Believe, and Why It Matters Audience General/Trade AU Release Date 2012-02-14 UK Release Date 2011-12-20 We've got this

At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it.With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love!

TheNile_Item_ID:139280227;