Spirits, Stars And Spells by L. Sprague de Camp

A skeptical, accessible survey of popular supernatural and pseudoscientific beliefs that traces the historical roots, cultural appeal, and psychological and physical mechanisms behind claims of spirits, miracles, astrology, witchcraft, reincarnation, psychic phenomena and related subjects; the author examines cases, exposes common errors and frauds, and argues for scientific explanations and critical thinking while remaining often wry and conversational in tone.