This book is designed to get general readers and students in the middle grades and up thinking about the difference between scientific and pseudoscientific pursuits, whether the term 'pseudoscience' explains anything, and whether the various topics explored here, from acupuncture to zombies, are worthy of the name pseudoscience. The encyclopedia contains 124 entries spanning scientific and nonscientific pursuits, from chemistry, biology, psychology, and medicine to religion, the occult, and paranormal activities. Eugenics, gay repair theory, and creation science are discussed, in addition to astral projection, crop circles, and Stonehenge. An introductory essay explains how the scientific method works and offers guidelines for critically analyzing all kinds of evidence. About 40 original line drawings depict key individuals, creatures, and artifacts. An extensive bibliography lists contemporary and classic works on the subjects covered. An index of topics, terms, names, and ideas is included. Regal is assistant professor of the history of science at Kean University. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)