The Mask of Nostradamus

by James Randi

Book Overview

Nostradamus finally meets his match - internationally famous magician and debunker of New Age quackery - James Randi The Mask of Nostradamus is the first in-depth biography of this intriguing sixteenth-century astrologer and physician whose book of prophecies, The Centuries, is claimed by many to have foretold the Great Fire of London, the French Revolution, the rise of Hitler, and other crucial historical events. In his superb study of Nostradamus'...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0879758309
• ISBN13: 9780879758301
• Release Date: March 1993
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

the great seer exposed by the great randi

this is one book that should be read by everyone who has been hoodwinked by the mass media and unscrupulous authors into believing that the man called nostradamus could predict the future. randi's definitive book not only covers nostradamus's very interesting life, but also the historical and cultural context in which he lived. randi demonstrates how nostradamus employed thechniques that "seers" have employed for centuries to deceive people. randi's analysis of the quatrains, particularly the ones said to have predicted napoleon and hitler, were for me the high points of the book. randi shows how these and other quatrains were written in a vague form of archaic french and latin and so could be very broadly interpreted.when will the history channel. discovery channel, learning channnel, et al, present a documentary on nostradamus based on facts rather than on fantasy? randi's book is far more interesting than the scores of books on nostradamus that credulously assign him superhuman powers neither he nor any other person who ever lived possessed.

Fraud Unmasked

Michel Nostradamus is without a doubt the most famous prophet and astrologer in all of history. He is credited with the predictions of the death of Henry II, the invention of the hot-air balloon, the Great Fire of London, the flight and capture of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the execution of Charles I of England, Napoleon Bonaparte and the imprisonment of the Popes, the rise of Adolf Hitler and the life and death of Elizabeth I, among other things. The author has done a enormous amount of research, viewing and translating of the original editions of the prophecies. His research is by far more extensive than any ever done by Nostradamus believers.The author has sorted out fraudulent editions of Nostradamus' writings with changes and predictions added long after his death. He has also uncovered many errors in various books regarding Nostradamus and his visions of the future. In this book, we see that Nostradamus' prophecies were normally so cleverly vague (in the spirit of most prophecies, through all of history) that almost any event could be said to have been predicted by him. Some of his more specific prophecies were actually done after the predicted event, or else never came true. Several famous prophecies were modified, or made up, by other people, long after Nostradamus had died. This book should be read by Nostradamus believers and skeptics alike.

Should be required reading for new-agers

This book, more than anything else, is the reason I'm a skeptic. When I read this book in high school, I was still among that group of people commonly misabled as agnostics, who don't really accept supernatural/religous/paranormal reports, but for fear of social stigma or lack of information (usually some of both), can't bring themselves to outright rejection of said reports. Mr. Randi's book brought me off the fence and converted me to dyed-in-the-wool skepticism. One by one, the "prophecies" of Nostradamus are reviewed, showing their vagueness and applicability to more or less anything. He then demonstrates how Nostradamus's supporters claim success by carefully selecting and interpreting the seer's words. Also includes background on the life and times of Nostradamus. Should be required reading for anyone who still believes in prophecy.

Nostradamus unmasked!

Randi proves to me once again what a true sceptic is. Instead of just believing common folklore Randi does research on the times and the area where Nostradamus lived, about Nostradamus's life during those times including correspondence he had with his clients, and then goes about showing what the most likely meaning of some of the most famous quatrains really are refering to. The truth is illuminating and it put to rest questions I've had about Nostradamus. A fascinating read.

An excellent book that debunks Nostradamus as a prophet.

Think you know Nostradamus? Think again. A great deal of research went into writing this book, and it shows. Randi provides an exhaustive history of Nostradamus (and his time) as both a healer and a prophet. Randi informs readers how astrology and magic influenced royalty and peasants alike during Nostradamus' time. Randi provides his own interpretations of the 10 most famous quatrains, and see how other "expert" interpreters wildly alter the meaning to fit major events. Don't buy any other Nostradamus book until you've read this one. It's a real eye opener.