Pretty interesting book that goes through a lot of unusual ideas at a pretty rapid pace. This doesn't really give any time to go into any detail or appreciate the context - sometimes he talks about what the actual explanation of something is but it's a bit too hurried. He repeats a few things that I recognise as myths but they're not important and hardly anyone bothers to correct. He does seem pretty credulous at times - I don't expect HARDCORE SCEPTICISM at all times but it was weird that he thought the Dogon thing was completely legitimate, for example. He describes a few newer theories that seem unlikely but he presents as if they're likely. It's no big deal really I guess. His introduction is a bit silly though - the whole stuff about the problems of "letting ideology into science"... science isn't excluded from ideology!

Overall it's interesting but maybe could have done with a bit less stuff covered in a bit more detail - it's not spectacular because of the rushing and everything. Good if you're interested in the subject of weird theories but you'll probably be looking for more after you've finished. Some of the ideas mentioned are very charming. ( )

What a fantastic way to explore science: by delving into all the erroneous thinking and garbage that's been tossed off so the truth can emerge. It reads like a more fleshed-out Skeptic's Dictionary. The writer doesn't entirely stay on message though. He spends more time on intentional bunk and charlatans than the title implies. Nevertheless, the book is quite an education. ( )

Discarded Science: Ideas that seemed good at the time..., by John Grant, is a rather odd mishmash of information about the history of science: it includes chapters on theories about the formation of the world and the universe; theories about how human beings developed, were created or evolved; whether alien beings visited or are currently visiting Earth; theories concerning the "hard sciences"; and ideas of human health and medicine. Some of the chapters are straightforward science history, that is, describing theories that were developed historically that later proved to be wrong as human beings learned more about the subject of inquiry. Other chapters, though, are essentially debunking pseudoscience, from Creationism to homeopathy. As a result, the reader is left somewhat confused as to the author's intentions - does he want us to take a serious look at how science and thinking about science evolved over time, or does he just want to entertain us with silly theories that make no sense at all? I enjoyed reading it, but I must say I'm left scratching my head a bit about that question. I should note that the author assumes a certain level of understanding about scientific concepts and about physics in particular, which no doubt limits the audience for this book. ( )

An incredible (and sadly overlooked) survey of discarded science. The only reason I did not give it five stars is its general lack of references and specific dates. But this book is highly recommended nevertheless. ( )

An excellent, and amusing, history of superseded ideas. ( )