Richard Wiseman's skeptical bestseller can't find US publisher, goes self-published

AdMan · 5th July 2011, 09:26 AM

Richard Wiseman's latest UK bestseller, Paranormality, can't find a US publisher, so the author decides to self-publish.

Says Wiseman:

Quote:

The book has done well in the UK and has been bought by publishers in lots of other countries. However, the major American publishers were reluctant to support a skeptical book, with some suggesting that I re-write it to suggest that ghosts were real and psychic powers actually existed! We didn’t get any serious offers and so it looked like the American public (around 75% of whom believe in the paranormal) wouldn’t get the opportunity to read about skepticism. Then I had an idea.

I am going to self-publish an unashamedly skeptical book in America and see what happens. Today the book launches on Kindle and my UK publisher will ship physical editions into America (and it will appear as an iBook very soon). It all feels like a scary but exciting experiment.

https://richardwiseman.wordpress.com...friday-puzzle/

I've just bought mine, and I urge other skeptics in America to do the same.

paiute · 5th July 2011, 09:43 AM

Unless your book has vampires or dysfunctional families, publishers do not want to see it.

JohnG · 5th July 2011, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by AdMan

Richard Wiseman's latest UK bestseller, Paranormality, can't find a US publisher, so the author decides to self-publish.

Says Wiseman:

https://richardwiseman.wordpress.com...friday-puzzle/

I've just bought mine, and I urge other skeptics in America to do the same.

Thanks for the heads up! This American just ordered a copy.

Originally Posted by paiute

Unless your book has vampires or dysfunctional families, publishers do not want to see it.

And if you wrote about a dysfunctional family of vampires, well that's a license to print money right there.

AdMan · 5th July 2011, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by AdMan

I've just bought mine, and I urge other skeptics in America to do the same.

And James Randi agrees.

Quote:

This refusal of U.S. publishers to accept a book – they were “reluctant to support a skeptical book, with some suggesting that I re-write it to suggest that ghosts were real and psychic powers actually existed!” – offends me, and I hope that it strikes you the same way. Now that we know Paranormality is available, and how to purchase it, please do so – either in solid form (available next week at TAM), or on Kindle. The only way that publishers can be reached in through their income, and I want this book to show them that the American public really does have an interest in the skeptical viewpoint!

Please, let’s support Richard’s book!

Lisa Simpson · 5th July 2011, 02:50 PM

I bought it on Kindle a few days ago.

Soapy Sam · 5th July 2011, 03:13 PM

Richard is no mean self publicist. It will probably sell bigtime.
I bought it a month or so ago- ironically in Kazakhstan.
Which raises an issue.
Why am I , as a Brit, required to pay UK VAT on a Kindle e-book, when I'm not in the UK when I buy it?
Why is the Kindle store not the same price everywhere?

Gord_in_Toronto · 5th July 2011, 07:37 PM

Nice to see it will be available in Canada.

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/...re&ikwsec=Home

I'll head to the local Chapters store and see if I can pre-order a copy.

Quinn · 5th July 2011, 08:13 PM

Just waiting for the iBook...

Marduk · 5th July 2011, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by JohnG

And if you wrote about a dysfunctional family of vampires, well that's a license to print money right there.

its been done already
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_Dark

AdMan · 5th July 2011, 08:53 PM

PZ Myers chimes in: I think we've been insulted by American book publishers:

Quote:

It's a self-perpetuating cycle, isn't it? Since so many of us are gullible cretins, books and TV are tailored to pander to error rather than to challenge and criticize, so the population becomes increasingly more gullible. I guess that makes sense if your goal is to educate a public to buy more soap and toasters.

JohnG · 5th July 2011, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Marduk

its been done already
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_Dark

That was a movie but fair enough. Let me clarify: if you wrote about a dysfunctional family of sexy vampires...

rambaldi · 6th July 2011, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by JohnG

That was a movie but fair enough. Let me clarify: if you wrote about a dysfunctional family of sexy vampires...

... involved in some secret conspiracy going back at least to the templars.

EHocking · 6th July 2011, 05:23 AM

Originally Posted by JohnG

That was a movie but fair enough. Let me clarify: if you wrote about a dysfunctional family of sexy vampires...

Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett.

Robin · 6th July 2011, 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by paiute

Unless your book has vampires or dysfunctional families, publishers do not want to see it.

Or better still, vampires and dysfunctional families.

(thinks: should have read the rest of the thread before posting).

Brown · 6th July 2011, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by Gord_in_Toronto

Nice to see it will be available in Canada.

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/...re&ikwsec=Home

I'll head to the local Chapters store and see if I can pre-order a copy.

Me, too! I bought my first Wiseman book at a Chapters in Ottawa, just a few blocks from Parliament; but I suspect I'll get Paranormality at a store closer to home.

fls · 6th July 2011, 06:43 AM

I got a sample sent to my Kindle. I like the added touch of QR codes to scan in order to watch videos along the way. But I have to admit that after reading the sample, I haven't yet learned anything new. Not that I'm opposed to a light read which presents stuff I already know in an entertaining manner...but can anyone tell me whether it covers more than what we talk about here?

Linda

AdMan · 6th July 2011, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by fls

I got a sample sent to my Kindle. I like the added touch of QR codes to scan in order to watch videos along the way. But I have to admit that after reading the sample, I haven't yet learned anything new. Not that I'm opposed to a light read which presents stuff I already know in an entertaining manner...but can anyone tell me whether it covers more than what we talk about here?

Linda

There is another sample here.

I expect that as this is a broad look at skepticism aimed at the general public, there likely won't be a whole lot that's very new to many here. Still probably a fun, interesting read.

Jr1985 · 6th July 2011, 07:19 AM

I accidentally stumbled upon this book the other day. Despite having heard all of the same things before, I still find it interesting, especially with the "do-it-yourself" experiments (like how to induce an OBE!).

Paul C. Anagnostopoulos · 6th July 2011, 12:21 PM

Why won't Prometheus Books publish it?

~~ Paul

cj.23 · 6th July 2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Conville and Walsh is taking professor Richard Wiseman’s Supernormality, a book just sold to Macmillan in the UK in a “big” six-figure deal. Supernormality deals with the way that scientific research into the apparent fringes of psychology—mediums, lucid dreaming and telepathy—has led to serious breakthroughs which can be applied to everyday life. His previous book, 59 Seconds, has sold to 31 foreign-language publishers.

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/ag...ew-colfer.html

US publishers must be very dim then, especially given the number of weeks it was an Amazon top ten bestseller over here, or something is not right

cj x

DarthAqueous · 6th July 2011, 03:59 PM

Bought mine for the Kindle. Now, how exactly am I going to get it signed at TAM?

Chad Walker

cj.23 · 6th July 2011, 04:30 PM

Excellent fun book. Do buy it! (I wrote a critical review, but still hugely enjoyed it).

cj x

AdMan · 6th July 2011, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by cj.23

Excellent fun book. Do buy it! (I wrote a critical review, but still hugely enjoyed it).

cj x

Where is your review?

cj.23 · 7th July 2011, 04:33 AM

Originally Posted by AdMan

Where is your review?

Sorry: it's on Amazon - I gave it 5 stars. It is easier to find on my blog here --
http://jerome23.wordpress.com/2011/0...-limited-book/

I saw Wiseman at Cheltenham Science Festival - I have not writtten part 2 of that yet, but part 1 is here
http://jerome23.wordpress.com/2011/0...view-part-one/

Hope of use.

cj x

Horatius · 7th July 2011, 04:47 AM

I'm seeing this as "Not currently available" on the Amazon Kindle page. Is it only available for Kindle in the US?

John Jackson · 7th July 2011, 05:18 AM

Originally Posted by fls

can anyone tell me whether it covers more than what we talk about here?

It's a good read but it's written for a lay audience. It's quite wide in scope but there's not a great deal of depth in any of it. Skeptics who've been around the block, so to speak, won't learn anything new.

Those who are newer to skepticism and want to gain a better understanding of the reasons why paranormal claims aren't accepted by skeptics (i.e. what the alternative explanations are) will gain from it however.

Either way, it's a good read. Well written and entertaining.

Lothian · 7th July 2011, 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by Soapy Sam

Why am I , as a Brit, required to pay UK VAT on a Kindle e-book, when I'm not in the UK when I buy it?

The 'place of supply' is deemed to be where the supplier is.

The supply is subject to VAT because it is seen as electronic services not a book. Electronic services are difficult to tax. From a practical point of view is it easier to work out where the suppliers are than the customers. Therefore the EU has taken the pragmatic view that for sales to the public the place of supply shall be where the supplier is. This makes sense for Amazon UK who can stick it all on one vat return rather than do a return for every country where they sold an e-book. It also means Amazon UK can give a fixed price, which they wouldn't if the VAT followed the rate where the purchaser was based.

For business to business it works the other way and is deemed to be where the customer is. This also makes sense as it is an 'in and out' for the purchaser on their VAT return. Otherwise they would have to write to every government where they bought goods and request a refund. An administrative nightmare.

Quote:

Why is the Kindle store not the same price everywhere?

Exchange rates, local costs, profiteering…….

Almo · 7th July 2011, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Soapy Sam

Richard is no mean self publicist. It will probably sell bigtime.
I bought it a month or so ago- ironically in Kazakhstan.
Which raises an issue.
Why am I , as a Brit, required to pay UK VAT on a Kindle e-book, when I'm not in the UK when I buy it?
Why is the Kindle store not the same price everywhere?

They don't want brits avoiding the high VAT by using proxies to pretend to be in countries where it's cheaper.

AdMan · 7th July 2011, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by cj.23

Sorry: it's on Amazon - I gave it 5 stars. It is easier to find on my blog here --
http://jerome23.wordpress.com/2011/0...-limited-book/

I saw Wiseman at Cheltenham Science Festival - I have not writtten part 2 of that yet, but part 1 is here
http://jerome23.wordpress.com/2011/0...view-part-one/

Hope of use.

cj x

Thanks for the links. I've read your first article (still have to go through all the links) and found it very interesting, even though I now realize that I may actually be in the target audience for Wiseman's book, given how much of what you wrote went way over my head.

Lothian · 7th July 2011, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by Almo

They don't want brits avoiding the high VAT by using proxies to pretend to be in countries where it's cheaper.

or for the same reason people pretending to be in Britian.

cv Europe the UK has 12 higher 7 lower 7 the same. link

Note: Soapy would have only paid 12% in Kazakhstan

mutile · 7th July 2011, 12:24 PM

Not available in Australia, what rubbish!

JM85 · 7th July 2011, 12:58 PM

Ah, this is why I can't buy it directly from amazon. I have Richard's other books; they're fun reads. They're advertised as self help books, but he writes more about scientific studies that were done. Didn't he say something that gave some credence to remote viewing, like it was technically proven?

5th July 2011, 09:26 AM	#1
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,190	Richard Wiseman's skeptical bestseller can't find US publisher, goes self-published Richard Wiseman's latest UK bestseller, Paranormality, can't find a US publisher, so the author decides to self-publish. Says Wiseman: Quote: The book has done well in the UK and has been bought by publishers in lots of other countries. However, the major American publishers were reluctant to support a skeptical book, with some suggesting that I re-write it to suggest that ghosts were real and psychic powers actually existed! We didn’t get any serious offers and so it looked like the American public (around 75% of whom believe in the paranormal) wouldn’t get the opportunity to read about skepticism. Then I had an idea. I am going to self-publish an unashamedly skeptical book in America and see what happens. Today the book launches on Kindle and my UK publisher will ship physical editions into America (and it will appear as an iBook very soon). It all feels like a scary but exciting experiment. https://richardwiseman.wordpress.com...friday-puzzle/ I've just bought mine, and I urge other skeptics in America to do the same.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,190	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

5th July 2011, 09:43 AM	#2
paiute Graduate Poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Smack in the middle of a de Broglie wavelength. Posts: 1,140	Unless your book has vampires or dysfunctional families, publishers do not want to see it.
	__________________ A Novel and Efficient Synthesis of Cadaverine Organic chemistry, vengeful ghosts, and high explosives. What could possibly go wrong? Now free for download! http://www.scribd.com/doc/36568510/A...-of-Cadaverine

5th July 2011, 10:18 AM	#3
JohnG Pedantic Bore Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Abandon All Hope Posts: 4,398	Originally Posted by AdMan Richard Wiseman's latest UK bestseller, Paranormality, can't find a US publisher, so the author decides to self-publish. Says Wiseman: https://richardwiseman.wordpress.com...friday-puzzle/ I've just bought mine, and I urge other skeptics in America to do the same. Thanks for the heads up! This American just ordered a copy. Originally Posted by paiute Unless your book has vampires or dysfunctional families, publishers do not want to see it. And if you wrote about a dysfunctional family of vampires, well that's a license to print money right there.
	__________________ Do not weep. Do not wax indignant. Understand. - Baruch Spinoza You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant. -Harlan Ellison

5th July 2011, 02:44 PM	#4
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,190	Originally Posted by AdMan I've just bought mine, and I urge other skeptics in America to do the same. And James Randi agrees. Quote: This refusal of U.S. publishers to accept a book – they were “reluctant to support a skeptical book, with some suggesting that I re-write it to suggest that ghosts were real and psychic powers actually existed!” – offends me, and I hope that it strikes you the same way. Now that we know Paranormality is available, and how to purchase it, please do so – either in solid form (available next week at TAM), or on Kindle. The only way that publishers can be reached in through their income, and I want this book to show them that the American public really does have an interest in the skeptical viewpoint! Please, let’s support Richard’s book!
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,190	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

5th July 2011, 02:50 PM	#5
Lisa Simpson THE Lisa Simpson Administrator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 123 Fake Street Posts: 20,061	I bought it on Kindle a few days ago.
	__________________ That's what the Internet does -- you get a free bonus prize of Stupid Lies with every box of Delicious Facts. - cracked.com Facts are satanic litter on the heavenly highway to blind faith! - Betty Bowers

5th July 2011, 03:13 PM	#6
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	Richard is no mean self publicist. It will probably sell bigtime. I bought it a month or so ago- ironically in Kazakhstan. Which raises an issue. Why am I , as a Brit, required to pay UK VAT on a Kindle e-book, when I'm not in the UK when I buy it? Why is the Kindle store not the same price everywhere?
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885

5th July 2011, 07:37 PM	#7
Gord_in_Toronto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 13,417	Nice to see it will be available in Canada. http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/...re&ikwsec=Home I'll head to the local Chapters store and see if I can pre-order a copy.
	__________________ "Reality is what's left when you cease to believe." Philip K. Dick

5th July 2011, 08:13 PM	#8
Quinn Breathtakingly blasphemous. Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,887	Just waiting for the iBook...
	__________________ It's not a matter of living life without mystery or wonder. It's a matter of living life without the approval of people who ignorantly assume that by rejecting the irrational, I experience no mystery or wonder. And frankly, I do just fine without that.

5th July 2011, 08:32 PM	#9
Marduk Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Newbury, Berkshire Posts: 10,242	Originally Posted by JohnG And if you wrote about a dysfunctional family of vampires, well that's a license to print money right there. its been done already http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_Dark

5th July 2011, 08:53 PM	#10
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,190	PZ Myers chimes in: I think we've been insulted by American book publishers: Quote: It's a self-perpetuating cycle, isn't it? Since so many of us are gullible cretins, books and TV are tailored to pander to error rather than to challenge and criticize, so the population becomes increasingly more gullible. I guess that makes sense if your goal is to educate a public to buy more soap and toasters.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,190	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan Last edited by AdMan; 5th July 2011 at 08:54 PM.

5th July 2011, 08:53 PM	#11
JohnG Pedantic Bore Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Abandon All Hope Posts: 4,398	Originally Posted by Marduk its been done already http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_Dark That was a movie but fair enough. Let me clarify: if you wrote about a dysfunctional family of sexy vampires...
	__________________ Do not weep. Do not wax indignant. Understand. - Baruch Spinoza You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant. -Harlan Ellison

6th July 2011, 12:25 AM	#12
rambaldi Thinker Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 163	Originally Posted by JohnG That was a movie but fair enough. Let me clarify: if you wrote about a dysfunctional family of sexy vampires... ... involved in some secret conspiracy going back at least to the templars.
rambaldi Thinker Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 163

6th July 2011, 05:23 AM	#13
EHocking Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,410	Originally Posted by JohnG That was a movie but fair enough. Let me clarify: if you wrote about a dysfunctional family of sexy vampires... Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett.
EHocking Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,410	__________________ "A closed mouth gathers no feet" "Ignorance is a renewable resource" P.J.O'Rourke Prayer: "a sophisticated way of pleading with thunderstorms." T.Pratchett "It's all god's handiwork, there's little quality control applied", Fox26 reporter on Texas granite Forum Birdwatching Webpage

6th July 2011, 05:34 AM	#14
Robin Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,541	Originally Posted by paiute Unless your book has vampires or dysfunctional families, publishers do not want to see it. Or better still, vampires and dysfunctional families. (thinks: should have read the rest of the thread before posting).
Robin Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,541	__________________ The non-theoretical character of metaphysics would not be in itself a defect; all arts have this non-theoretical character without thereby losing their high value for personal as well as for social life. The danger lies in the deceptive character of metaphysics; it gives the illusion of knowledge without actually giving any knowledge. This is the reason why we reject it. - Rudolf Carnap "Philosophy and Logical Syntax"

6th July 2011, 05:37 AM	#15
Brown Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Twin Cities, Canada Posts: 12,155	Originally Posted by Gord_in_Toronto Nice to see it will be available in Canada. http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/...re&ikwsec=Home I'll head to the local Chapters store and see if I can pre-order a copy. Me, too! I bought my first Wiseman book at a Chapters in Ottawa, just a few blocks from Parliament; but I suspect I'll get Paranormality at a store closer to home.
	__________________ Klaatu: I'm impatient with stupidity. My people have learned to live without it. Mr. Harley: I'm afraid my people haven't. I am very sorry. I wish it were otherwise. -- The Day The Earth Stood Still, screenplay by Edmund H. North "Don't you get me wrong. I only want to know." -- Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, lyrics by Tim Rice

6th July 2011, 06:43 AM	#16
fls Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 10,236	I got a sample sent to my Kindle. I like the added touch of QR codes to scan in order to watch videos along the way. But I have to admit that after reading the sample, I haven't yet learned anything new. Not that I'm opposed to a light read which presents stuff I already know in an entertaining manner...but can anyone tell me whether it covers more than what we talk about here? Linda
	__________________ God:a capricious creative or controlling force said to be the subject of a religion. Evidence is anything that tends to make a proposition more or less true.-Loss Leader SCAM will now be referred to as DIM (Demonstrably Ineffective Medicine) Look how nicely I'm not reminding you you're dumb.-Happy Bunny When I give an example, do not assume I am excluding every other possible example. Thank you.

6th July 2011, 07:06 AM	#17
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,190	Originally Posted by fls I got a sample sent to my Kindle. I like the added touch of QR codes to scan in order to watch videos along the way. But I have to admit that after reading the sample, I haven't yet learned anything new. Not that I'm opposed to a light read which presents stuff I already know in an entertaining manner...but can anyone tell me whether it covers more than what we talk about here? Linda There is another sample here. I expect that as this is a broad look at skepticism aimed at the general public, there likely won't be a whole lot that's very new to many here. Still probably a fun, interesting read.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,190	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

6th July 2011, 07:19 AM	#18
Jr1985 Student Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 28	I accidentally stumbled upon this book the other day. Despite having heard all of the same things before, I still find it interesting, especially with the "do-it-yourself" experiments (like how to induce an OBE!).
Jr1985 Student Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 28

6th July 2011, 12:21 PM	#19
Paul C. Anagnostopoulos Nap, interrupted. Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: a little toolshed Posts: 18,592	Why won't Prometheus Books publish it? ~~ Paul
	__________________ Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon. ---Susan Ertz RIP Mr. Skinny

6th July 2011, 03:53 PM	#20
cj.23 Master Poster Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kadath in the Cold Waste Posts: 2,822	Quote: Conville and Walsh is taking professor Richard Wiseman’s Supernormality, a book just sold to Macmillan in the UK in a “big” six-figure deal. Supernormality deals with the way that scientific research into the apparent fringes of psychology—mediums, lucid dreaming and telepathy—has led to serious breakthroughs which can be applied to everyday life. His previous book, 59 Seconds, has sold to 31 foreign-language publishers. http://www.thebookseller.com/news/ag...ew-colfer.html US publishers must be very dim then, especially given the number of weeks it was an Amazon top ten bestseller over here, or something is not right cj x
	__________________ I'm an Anglican Christian, so I declare my prejudice here. Please take it in to account when reading my posts. "Most people would rather die than think: many do." - Betrand Russell My dull life blogged http://jerome23.wordpress.com

6th July 2011, 03:59 PM	#21
DarthAqueous New Blood Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 9	Bought mine for the Kindle. Now, how exactly am I going to get it signed at TAM? Chad Walker

6th July 2011, 04:30 PM	#22
cj.23 Master Poster Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kadath in the Cold Waste Posts: 2,822	Excellent fun book. Do buy it! (I wrote a critical review, but still hugely enjoyed it). cj x
	__________________ I'm an Anglican Christian, so I declare my prejudice here. Please take it in to account when reading my posts. "Most people would rather die than think: many do." - Betrand Russell My dull life blogged http://jerome23.wordpress.com

6th July 2011, 04:31 PM	#23
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,190	Originally Posted by cj.23 Excellent fun book. Do buy it! (I wrote a critical review, but still hugely enjoyed it). cj x Where is your review?
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,190	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

7th July 2011, 04:33 AM	#24
cj.23 Master Poster Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kadath in the Cold Waste Posts: 2,822	Originally Posted by AdMan Where is your review? Sorry: it's on Amazon - I gave it 5 stars. It is easier to find on my blog here -- http://jerome23.wordpress.com/2011/0...-limited-book/ I saw Wiseman at Cheltenham Science Festival - I have not writtten part 2 of that yet, but part 1 is here http://jerome23.wordpress.com/2011/0...view-part-one/ Hope of use. cj x
	__________________ I'm an Anglican Christian, so I declare my prejudice here. Please take it in to account when reading my posts. "Most people would rather die than think: many do." - Betrand Russell My dull life blogged http://jerome23.wordpress.com

7th July 2011, 04:47 AM	#25
Horatius NWO Kitty Wrangler Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Posts: 21,892	I'm seeing this as "Not currently available" on the Amazon Kindle page. Is it only available for Kindle in the US?
	__________________ Obviously, that means cats are indeed evil and that ownership or display of a feline is an overt declaration of one's affiliation with dark forces. - Cl1mh4224rd

7th July 2011, 05:18 AM	#26
John Jackson Muse Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 675	Originally Posted by fls can anyone tell me whether it covers more than what we talk about here? It's a good read but it's written for a lay audience. It's quite wide in scope but there's not a great deal of depth in any of it. Skeptics who've been around the block, so to speak, won't learn anything new. Those who are newer to skepticism and want to gain a better understanding of the reasons why paranormal claims aren't accepted by skeptics (i.e. what the alternative explanations are) will gain from it however. Either way, it's a good read. Well written and entertaining.
John Jackson Muse Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 675	__________________

7th July 2011, 05:46 AM	#27
Lothian Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: https://twitter.com/CV4UK Posts: 10,373	Originally Posted by Soapy Sam Why am I , as a Brit, required to pay UK VAT on a Kindle e-book, when I'm not in the UK when I buy it? The 'place of supply' is deemed to be where the supplier is. The supply is subject to VAT because it is seen as electronic services not a book. Electronic services are difficult to tax. From a practical point of view is it easier to work out where the suppliers are than the customers. Therefore the EU has taken the pragmatic view that for sales to the public the place of supply shall be where the supplier is. This makes sense for Amazon UK who can stick it all on one vat return rather than do a return for every country where they sold an e-book. It also means Amazon UK can give a fixed price, which they wouldn't if the VAT followed the rate where the purchaser was based. For business to business it works the other way and is deemed to be where the customer is. This also makes sense as it is an 'in and out' for the purchaser on their VAT return. Otherwise they would have to write to every government where they bought goods and request a refund. An administrative nightmare. Quote: Why is the Kindle store not the same price everywhere? Exchange rates, local costs, profiteering…….
	Last edited by Lothian; 7th July 2011 at 05:50 AM.

7th July 2011, 06:54 AM	#28
Almo Masterblazer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 6,407	Originally Posted by Soapy Sam Richard is no mean self publicist. It will probably sell bigtime. I bought it a month or so ago- ironically in Kazakhstan. Which raises an issue. Why am I , as a Brit, required to pay UK VAT on a Kindle e-book, when I'm not in the UK when I buy it? Why is the Kindle store not the same price everywhere? They don't want brits avoiding the high VAT by using proxies to pretend to be in countries where it's cheaper.
	__________________ Almo! My Blog "No society ever collapsed because the poor had too much." — LeftySergeant "It may be that there is no body really at rest, to which the places and motions of others may be referred." –Issac Newton in the Principia

7th July 2011, 07:06 AM	#29
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,190	Originally Posted by cj.23 Sorry: it's on Amazon - I gave it 5 stars. It is easier to find on my blog here -- http://jerome23.wordpress.com/2011/0...-limited-book/ I saw Wiseman at Cheltenham Science Festival - I have not writtten part 2 of that yet, but part 1 is here http://jerome23.wordpress.com/2011/0...view-part-one/ Hope of use. cj x Thanks for the links. I've read your first article (still have to go through all the links) and found it very interesting, even though I now realize that I may actually be in the target audience for Wiseman's book, given how much of what you wrote went way over my head.
AdMan Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 7,190	__________________ It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

7th July 2011, 07:24 AM	#30
Lothian Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: https://twitter.com/CV4UK Posts: 10,373	Originally Posted by Almo They don't want brits avoiding the high VAT by using proxies to pretend to be in countries where it's cheaper. or for the same reason people pretending to be in Britian. cv Europe the UK has 12 higher 7 lower 7 the same. link Note: Soapy would have only paid 12% in Kazakhstan

7th July 2011, 12:24 PM	#31
mutile Muse Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 509	Not available in Australia, what rubbish!
mutile Muse Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 509

7th July 2011, 12:58 PM	#32
JM85 Thinker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 183	Ah, this is why I can't buy it directly from amazon. I have Richard's other books; they're fun reads. They're advertised as self help books, but he writes more about scientific studies that were done. Didn't he say something that gave some credence to remote viewing, like it was technically proven?