Collects Gardner's "Mathematical Games" columns which appearred in Scientific American from 1979 to 1986.

Gathers mathematical puzzles, problems, games, and anecdotes about mathematical and scientific discoveries.

This discussion of Lewis Carroll's mathematical games and puzzles also includes the "full texts of Carroll's privately published pamphlets and leaflets ... [and covers] in detail the recreational aspects of Carroll's fiction, verse, letters, and magazine articles."--Preface, p.x.

"This witting and engaging book examines the various fads, fallacies, strange cults and curious panaceas which at one time or another have masqueraded as science. Not just a collection of anecdotes but a fair, reason appraisal of eccentric theory, it is unique in recognizing the scientific, philosophic and sociological-psychological implications of the wave of pseudoscientific theories which periodically besets the world. To this second revised edition...

A witty critique of New Age beliefs and scientific fraud. Topics debunked include paranormal events, Freud's theory of dreams, shamanism and UFOs. As well as providing laughter for sceptics, the book will also give solace and inspiration to those who prize logic and common sense.

Never before has American education in science sunk so low, or the flood of books about bogus science risen so high. Books discrediting the paranormal are outnumbered by those promoting astrology, angels, parapsychology, bizarre forms of medicine and healing, the prophecies of Nostradamus, the secrets of the Great Pyramid, attacks on evolution, and scores of similar follies. Martin Gardner is among those science writers who believe that this tide...