Amazing things seem to be happening all the time. Supermarket tabloids say aliens are kidnapping people. TV programmes report that ape-like creatures prowl the Himalayas leaving giant footprints behind, planes and ships mysteriously vanish in the 'Bermuda Triangle', and flattened circles in open fields prove that UFOs have landed. It may be fun to watch or read about these weird stories and extraordinary claims, but whether you really believe them or not can make a big difference in your life. For one thing you can spend a lot of money on books, videos, movies, and 'services' like 'psychic hotlines' marketed by people who are interested only in taking your money. But more important than money is how you view reality and judge the difference between fact and fiction. How can you figure out who's telling the truth and who isn't? It is not that hard, says educator Tim Yule, once you have learned a few basic critical-thinking skills. He explores many of the strange and funny mysteries that capture so much media attention and teaches you, through hands-on experiments, how to get to the bottom of these tall tales. You'll have fun while learning how scientists establish reliable knowledge.
