Scientists and Scoundrels

A Book of Hoaxes

By: Robert Silverberg

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Paperback | 1 June 2007

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256 Pages

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19.68 x 13.34 x 1.91

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As if history and nature had not provided wonders enough, through the ages humans themselves have contrived more marvels to deceive one another. Sometimes they have concocted evidence when none was available to prove pet theories; sometimes their intention has been to impress or defraud; sometimes they have acted merely for sport. Robert Silverberg tells the stories of a baker's dozen of these scientific hoaxers in a lively, good-humored book that ranges through time and across continents. Here are perpetual-motion machines and space rockets, men on the moon and serpents in the sea. The rogues' gallery is a varied one: Dr. Mesmer, who cast his hypnotic spell on eighteenth-century Paris; Charles Dawson, whose Piltdown Man challenged evolution; Dr. Cook, with his tale of "discovering" the North Pole; and many others. These are fascinating stories and more than just entertainment. The author explains the scientific background against which the hoaxes appeared and the detective work that led to their exposure. The schemers teach us to be alert, to challenge the evidence, and to appreciate the healthy skepticism that characterizes the scientific method.

Robert Silverberg is the author of numerous books, including At Winter's End and The Queen of Springtime, both available in Bison Books editions, and Far Horizons: All New Tales from the Greatest Worlds of Science Fiction.

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Science Science in General History of Science Popular Science Society & Culture Popular Beliefs & Controversial Knowledge Hoaxes & Deceptions History General & World History

The Lying Stones of Dr. Beringer	p. 1
The Marvelous Magnetism of Dr. Mesmer	p. 16
The Men on the Moon	p. 34
The Sea Serpent of Dr. Koch	p. 51
John Keely's Perpetual-Motion Machine	p. 71
The Kensington Stone	p. 85
Dr. Cook and the North Pole	p. 108
Paul Schliemann and the Lost Continent of Atlantis	p. 143
The Etruscan Sculptures	p. 159
The Case of the Venezuelan Ape-Man	p. 171
The Kammerer Tragedy	p. 188
Otto Fischer's Rocket Ride	p. 207
The Piltdown Puzzle	p. 220
A Last Word	p. 255
Bibliography	p. 239
Index	p. 246
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Scientists and Scoundrels

A Book of Hoaxes

At a Glance

Paperback

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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