Mr. Randi is probably the best known debunker of psychic phenomena. He enjoys his role, and doesn't limit his comments to just that type of phenomena, but also includes psychology, physics, and other individuals who might disagree with him. While it is true that humans cannot "see" around corners, and no person has been able to produce 'proof' of their abilities, there still remains the mystery of existence. As a matter of fact, the researchers at Princeton University, School of Applied Science, has verified an "ultimate example" of dreaming precognition. The details were forwarded to Dr. Robert G. Jahn's group PEAR. Dr. Jahn is the former Dean of the School of Applied Science. Brought to Randi's attention, he ignored this development. How many times in our history have we ignored another truth, because it didn't fit in with our "world view."

Ignore the reader from NY. Like many he believes any small measure of "psychic" power "amazing". What Randi finds amazing is what I myself do, the beauty and miracle of a flower growing, the skills of the pyramid builders, when you can do that "psychicly" then I'll believe all the money wasted on "psychics" worth it. In the meantime, don't be fooled, question, and ask yourself as Randi does, "so what!"

Randi's book gives you an excellent--and most importantly--a reliable account of the life and alleged prophecies of Michel de Nostradamus. This book is truly a gem. It was really fascinating to read of the many instances of utter credulity (and unfortunately instances of dishonesty) that so many believers and followers have had to resort to in order to hold onto this illusion of mystical prophetic fulfillment. Though Randi (correctly) debunks virtually every one of Nostradamus' allegedly fulfilled prophecies, I believe it serves Nostradamus' memory finer, and ourselves better, if we remember and commend him for what he was, rather than for what he was not. That is what Randi has done. Nostradamus was a fine man and a fine physician, but that's all, and that only.

I read the book The Sorcerer of Kings, by Dr. Stein, and have a few comments on it. First of all I found the book very didactic and well organized. It also provides a good source of bibliography for those interested in spiritualism. Some passages are even comic, when you imagine someone in a scene trying to grab a spirit.!

However, in my opinion, the book is highly biased to prove that William Crookes was a fraud. Actually, right from the foreword (by James Randi) one can feel that. The author should rather present the facts, and let the conclusion to the reader. In a book of this sort this is an unforgivable mistake, just because the author tries to show that William Crookes was himself biased to accept spiritual reality.

I feel extremely uneasy to accept that William Crookes was a fraud (being this the main conclusion of the author). At the beginning of the book he appears simply stupid, an easy-to-fool person. His character then slightly changes from stupidity to quackery, which is of course a heavy charge over such a scientific personality. If he was a fraud as a spiritualist investigator, I cannot see why he would be so serious and brilliant as a scientist (before and after those years of spiritualism). I simply can't accept that. I cannot accept either he could have been fooled over and over by the mediums he tested.

So, in my opinion, remains the mystery about Sir William Crookes. I tend to believe that he died convinced about some of the phenomena he investigated, but felt not worth continuing his research, simply because the scientific community wouldn't accept that, and because he had detected trickery in many cases. The book of Dr. Stein does not prove "the truth" about him. Nevertheless, it is a book worth reading by those interested in spiritualism, in general, and in William Crookes.

I.S. Oliveira - Physicist, Ph.D. Oxford/1993

Now that fantasy RPGs are looking for new cultures to exploit, Russia has finally come into its own. Mystic Russia is, as the back of the cover states, about "...Russian Myth, but given that ol' Rifts® twist." It does a servicable job of bringing Russian monsters to life, and to a lesser degree, the O.C.C.s of Russian folklore.

The monster section is the best part and obviously the primary reason for the book, as they're placed in the front (which seems peculiar to me). Most are pulled right from Russian folklore, but a few seem like someone thought the picture looked cool and threw in some statistics for it, like the Demon Claw. Of particular note are the Koshchei (remember that guy from the AD&D Monster Manual II?) and the Kaluga Hag on page 27, my vote for what the Blair Witch looks like. The artwork throughout the book is above par.

Speaking of witches, as usual, this book heavily emphasizes that magic isn't real and neither are witches. Unless you are a practicing witch, in which case, please don't be offended. Mr. Siembedia points this out on page 1. And page 10. And page 72. And 73.

Perhaps the biggest flaw of all the books Mr. Siembedia writes are the finger-wagging, condescending quips that are littered throughout the rules. For example, on the topic of the evil Necromancer as an O.C.C., he advises to "...please respect the G.M.'s decision and move forward with the game." Move forward with the game? We were in the middle of an argument and the author's narrative made us stop, turn to that passage, and suddenly realize we should all just "move forward with the game" and stop arguing about the rules? This kind of condescending blather is presumably due to the younger target audience, but I'm sure they find it insulting too.

The Pact Witch, Hidden Witch and Old Believer O.C.C.s are interesting looks at Russian folklore and magic, although occasionally the spells are so specific as to be of questionable value (spoil water, curdle mlik, spoil wine, and spoil eggs could probably be grouped under spoil food). The Necromancer and Fire Sorcerer are reprinted from other Rifts books. It's disconcerting to see (NEW!) in front of the Bone Magic section. So the rest of the spells aren't new? Of all the O.C.C.s, the Mystic Kunzya stands out as truly unique, super-smiths with a penchant for super weapons. Super-powerful unbalancing weapons, but hey, you don't play Rifts for game balance anyway.

The Gypsy section is suspiciously generic. While the first crop of O.C.C.s delve into very specific spells of limited usefulness, the Gypsy section is devoid of detail. Professions like the Chovihani are missing completely, unless you use the Hidden Witch, which is not what Chovihani were about. This would be a perfect place for such spells as steal liver and a variety of thief protection spells that Chovihani were known for.

The last section seems like an afterthought about Sovietski tanks and war machines. This is Mystic Russia, right?

All in all, this book is a servicable resource for most role-playing games. However, as a Rifts supplement, it's fluffed out with a lot of material in other books under the guise of being reprinted for the "player's convenience."

This book is an average supplement for the RIFTS role-playing game. I own most of the supplements for RIFTS and I don't use this one too much in my campaigns. Most of my players have shown only marginal interest in the contents of this book. It is an okay companion to the Warlords of Russia worldbook, but otherwise probably not worth the price of the book. This book is similar in character to the England world book. There is a lot of information about the folk lore of the region with a few characters thrown in. If you enjoy reading world books just for the information, then buy it. If you are looking for a world book for Russia, get Warlords of Russia instead.

This book is an excellent book for all Rifts players. In most of my campains I have used this book to make NPC villans and also it is an excellent world book for choosing player characters. This is one of my favorite Rifts world books out there along with Warlords of Russia another excellent book.

It is our weakness to blame the messenger. James Randi, a professional magician, extremely intelligent and honest writer, and an extremely cinical skeptic, is usually the target of "believers" of the paranormal (as you will notice on the "reviews" of his books). Clearly, it is hard to accept that at some time or another, our leg has been pulled, and Randi is the first to let you know, in the most blunt way possible.

This book is not really about demonstrating that Geller is a fraud. Randi simply demonstrate that all the paranormal feats of the famous psychic can be duplicated (Randi himself has done them in TV and personal appearances). That people decide to believe the most fantastical explanation is another different issue.

Another thing worth mentioning is that this book includes excerpts from articles from magazines and newspaper, which shows that Randi was not alone in his skepticism.

A final notice is that if you enjoy this book, you will find more information on "Flim-Flam!", by the same author. There he presents new information, including his meeting with one of Geller's helpers, who confesses to having participated in the tricks, sometimes throwing things for apparent "materializations".

But, if you feel comfortable with "wishful thinking", and don't want to be confronted with facts and more credible alternate explanations, then don't try Randi.

I've never really cared about Uri Geller, but this book is funny and witty, reading it was a joy non the less. In this book, Mr. Randi exposed Uri Geller with style, and everything said was very convicing.

...promotes magical thinking. And Randi is not in need of work ...he has a thriving second career helping people understand how to keep from being flummoxed - which in this day and age is sorely needed. This is vintage skepticism, by a crack charlatan himself (I mean that in a good way). I have hosted a live TV appearance by Randi, and he has made my jaw drop from some of the very same things Geller claims are done by psychic powers. My wonder is in the ability of some to manipulate the perceptions of others. The difference is that James is trying to draw a line which people can use to distinguish the truly marvelous from the merely farcical. Uri should aspire to so much. If he has such powers as he claims - why would he squander them on the wanton destruction of flatware? On it goes, to others' claims of increased crop yields, to telepathy (so go make a fortune at the poker table!)... I would be deliriously happy to find someone who could read my students' minds - it would shave YEARS off the education process alone . But alas, we are left with wholly unremarkable examples of allegedly earth-shattering powers. And it makes people think that magic will change or save them. It is magical thinking that degrades individuals' trust in their own true abilities, and it was magical thinking (unabashed finger-crossing) that killed seven brave astronauts in 1986. Enough is enough, Bravo Randi - and touche' Geller. Read it, then decide. *JP*

This book even nonsence can be dangerous because includes fear and incorrect action. The fear can cause people to have accidents, some of them fatal. It's the same situation as with an hallucination-what's hallicinated isn't "there," but the illusion that is in this book can bring about te same consenquences as if it were. People become sick, or have lost friends or possessions, or have in turn brought injury to others s the result of reading or beliving in, what is later found to be an illusion. This book is just war of psychic disease.If you read Geller's books you will experience Correct knowledge, they can also protect you from false perception of the world around you.STUDY POINTS.

James 'The Amazing' Randi, professional conjurer, magician, and head of the James Randi Foundation, exposes the pitiful tricks that Geller has used for more than 20 years to fool those who want to believe in the power of man to bend kitchen utensils. Randi observes Geller, interviews those help Geller cheat (friends who passed Geller signals, ect) researches his checkered past (including the other times he has been caught cheating) and recreates everything that Geller does, even better than Geller himself! After this excellent book exposed the truth, Geller dropped out of sight for about ten years or so, to resurface in England, where he bought a mansion and writes books for those who still believe. Buy this book, then buy Randis' other books, and check out the Psychology of the Physic by David Marks PHD, for more on Geller.

A wonderful book from various magicians from aroung the world. From to coins to cards.

If you enjoy magic or ever wanted to learn some easy tricks then you will enjoy this book. I enjoyed this book a lot and I plan on re-reading it soon.