Skeptic: Promoting Science and Critical Thinking

bound within

in this issue

Great American Skeptics

• Ben Franklin, Scientist and Skeptic!
• The Power of Mesmerism?
• Franklin’s Scientific Tests of Mesmerism
• Why is “Spiritualism” Bad?
• The Great Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle
• Houdini vs. Spiritualism
• Mark Twain Takes Part in a Psychic Scam
• Twain vs. Phrenology
• Johnny Carson vs. a Psychic Spoon-bender
• Carson vs. a Faith Healer
• Carson’s support for the James Randi Educational Foundation

written by Daniel Loxton
and James Loxton;
illustrations by Daniel Loxton
and Jim W. W. Smith

from the Introduction

Hello!

I’m Daniel, the Editor of Junior Skeptic. I’d like to introduce you to my brother James Loxton, my co-writer for this issue on great American skeptics.

We chose this issue’s theme purely for fun — of course every country has its great detectives, scientists, and critical thinkers.

James and I are Canadians. All the same, it’s fascinating to think that world-famous figures from American history also helped shed light on weird paranormal mysteries!

Who were they? Let’s find out!