A reexamination of Immanuel Velikovsky’s controversial Venus theories in light of new astronomical and archaeological findings • Provides new evidence from recent space probe missions to support Velikovsky’s theories on the formation of Venus • Presents recently translated ancient texts from China, Korea, and Japan that uphold the cometlike descriptions of Venus cited by Velikovsky • Examines evidence of major geomagnetic events in 1500 BCE and 750 BCE that correspond with close passes of the comet Venus and its impact with Mars • Offers scientific explanations for many disputed aspects of Velikovsky’s theories, such as how Venus could have transformed from a comet into an orbiting planet Surrounded by controversy even before its publication in 1950, Immanuel Velikovsky’s Worlds in Collision introduced the provocative theory that Venus began as a brilliant comet ejected by Jupiter around 1600 BCE, wreaking chaos on Mars and Earth as it roamed through our solar system prior to settling into its current orbit. Immediately dismissed without any investigation and subject to vicious attacks, Velikovsky’s theory is now poised for reexamination in light of recent astronomical and archaeological findings. Exploring the key points of Velikovsky’s theories, Laird Scranton presents evidence from recent space probe missions to show that Venus still exhibits cometlike properties, such as its atmospheric composition, and could be a young planet. Reviewing the widespread cometlike descriptions of Venus from 1500 BCE to 750 BCE as well as Velikovsky’s observation that no records of Venus exist prior to 1600 BCE, Scranton reveals recently translated ancient texts from China, Korea, and Japan that further uphold Velikovsky’s theories. Examining evidence of major geomagnetic and climate-change events around 1500 BCE and 750 BCE, corresponding with close passes of the comet Venus and its impact with Mars, the author offers scientific explanations for many disputed aspects of Velikovsky’s theories, such as how Venus transformed from a comet into an orbiting planet. By updating this unresolved controversy with new scientific evidence, Scranton helps us to understand how it was that Worlds in Collision was the one book found open on Albert Einstein’s desk at the time of his death.

(This book supersedes On the Shoulders of Heretics (2016), originally published by Austin Macauley Ltd., London) In 1950 one of the most controversial books ever written was published in America. Worlds in Collision by Immanuel Velikovsky caused a perfect storm of fury within the scientific establishment. It sent shockwaves throughout the academic world, precipitating a campaign of suppression, public ridicule and character assassination that continued without let-up for decades. Scientists, astronomers and professors of ancient history were so incensed by Velikovsky's heresies that they blackmailed his publisher, Macmillan, by boycotting their textbook division and forcing them to relinquish the rights to what had become a best seller. They then forced a public recantation from the company whose senior editor - responsible for having signed the original contract with Velikovsky - was subsequently sacked under hostile pressure from the astronomers. Velikovsky was then hounded and attacked in the media and in science journals until his death in 1979. He was the quintessential heretic with a very challenging idea that nobody wanted to hear. The campaign to bury Velikovsky and his Worlds in Collision was begun by Harvard astronomer Harlow Shapley in 1950 and it continued until Carl Sagan finally succeeded in 1974 at the AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Symposium in San Francisco, an event that was arranged specifically with that purpose in mind. This book tells that story.

Headlines and television news reports feature accounts of reincarnation, the predictions of astrologers, and psychic "miracles." Citizens report UFO sightings. Police departments call on psychics to provide clues in baffling crimes. From every available information source, the public is bombarded with unsubstantiated claims of paranormal phenomena. How much of the evidence is reliable? What is the truth behind these claims? Paranormal Borderlands of Science is an exciting, well-informed examination of the most publicized and exotic claims of astrology, ESP, psychokinesis, precognition, UFOs, biorhythms, and other phenomena. Written by respected psychologists, astronomers and other scientists, philosophers, investigative journalists, and magicians, the 47 articles in this superb collection present a skeptical treatment of pseudoscientific claims - an aspect often sorely neglected in sensationalized media reports. This book is an effort to help readers sort fact from fiction and sense from nonsense among the astonishing variety of assertions labeled "paranormal." Never before published in book form, the essays in this anthology originally appeared in the Skeptical Inquirer, a leading magazine devoted to the critical investigation of pseudoscience from a scientific viewpoint. Among the contributors are: Isaac Asimov (distinguished science fiction author), Martin Gardner (Scientific American columnist), James Randi (The Amazing Randi), Philip Klass (noted UFO skeptic), Scot Morris (Omni), and James Oberg (NASA). An essential contribution to skeptical literature, this book will be of lasting value to all those wishing to balance the case for paranormal claims by reading the dissenting critics.

In this book, Immanuel Velikovsky, in his unmistakably clear and unique style, relates both the writing of and the reaction to the publication of his epochal work Worlds in Collision. Through authentic letters, we experience at first hand the beginning and unfolding of the Velikovsky Affair - from the boycotting of his publisher by leading American scientists and universities to the emotional and highly unscientific campaign to discredit the author and his work. We also get to read Velikovsky's rebuttals to the attacks and accusations, which were mostly denied publication by relevant journals and magazines. Especially today, with the power and societal influence of science at an all-time high, this book is of fundamental importance for our understanding of science and its practioners.

True believers and skeptics beware: what you know about science may be wrong. Science commentators Jim and Allen Richardson are more faithful than the believers and more skeptical than the skeptics -- and they're funnier, too.

This volume explores the dynamics of myths throughout time and space, along with the mythmaking processes in various cultures, literatures and languages, in a wide range of fields, ranging from cultural studies to the history of art. The papers brought together here are motivated by two basic questions: How are myths made in diverse cultures and literatures? And, do all different cultures have different myths to be told in their artistic pursuits? To examine these questions, the book offers a wide array of articles by contributors from various cultures which focus on theory, history, space/ place, philosophy, literature, language, gender, and storytelling. Mythmaking across Boundaries not only brings together classical myths, but also contemporary constructions and reconstructions through different cultural perspectives by transcending boundaries. Using a wide spectrum of perspectives, this volume, instead of emphasising the different modes of the mythmaking process, connects numerous perceptions of mythmaking and investigates diversities among cultures, languages and literatures, viewing them as a unified whole. As the essays reflect on both academic and popular texts, the book will be useful to scholars and students, as well as the general reader.

On the Shoulders of Heretics by Joe Fone is a whistle stop tour through the collision between orthodox science and the challengers of recent times, most notably Dr. Immanuel Velikovsky, the controversial scientist who went head-to-head with the scientific establishment headed up by the vicious attacks of Carl Sagan. Velikovsky's story is not unique. The foundations of modern science are thought to be supported by unshakable truths established by the greatest intellects throughout the centuries and, at least for a while, carved in the hard stone of certainty. They are articles of faith from which is derived the basic framework of what we think of as modern 'science'. However, many of these accepted tenets are in reality hypotheses; conjecture developed over time to solve the myriad problems of inscrutability that bedevil our understanding of Nature. They may then become entrenched in mainstream science (or in ancient times, 'natural philosophy') as sacred cows until a heretic overthrows them with an ugly fact and proves them wrong, triggering the wrath of the orthodox establishment. 'Joe Fone puts the Velikovsky Affair in a wider historical context, discussing famous examples of new scientific ideas being ferociously rejected by the orthodox establishments, Galileo being one of the most famous. This book is a very erudite survey which reads like a novel.' Dr Gerrit J. van der Lingen, author of The Fable of a Stable Climate 'The scientific community chose, on one end of the spectrum, to ignore Velikovsky. These were the kinder folks. On the other end were the vicious. It is one thing to disagree, and quite another to lie and attack based on those fabrications. As Velikovsky's grandson, I saw this first-hand. This book, written by Mr. Fone with great compassion and attention to detail, has sparked a tinge of hope that in my lifetime there will be a resurgence of interest in Velikovsky.' Rafael H Sharón, Psychoanalyst Princeton, New Jersey, USA

Since the appearance in 1950 of Worlds in Collision, Immanuel Velikovsky's radical theories of planetary physics have been the center of controversy. This book presents an analysis of the Velikovsky affair, resolves the misunderstandings and arguments between opposing camps, and leads us to an understanding of the scientific process itself.

Inheritance: Covenants, Kingdoms, Bodies and Nations is a study on a Christian's inheritance in the Lord. It examines a range of subjects dealing with God's covenants to what those covenants represent to how a Christian can better gird themselves up with the tools and weapons of the Lord to fight the spiritual fight we must all partake in if we hope to overcome in these final days. Inheritance also shines a light on a great many subjects surrounding the theme of inheritance through the lens of the Old Testament prophets. This book was developed from a series of revelations give to the author after struggling through a desert of trials that lasted exactly ten years to the day. Mistakes in interpretation will always occur. Please feel free to disagree with any of my conclusions.