Rather than attempting to debunk or assert the truth of paranormal beliefs, this book attempts to explore them in phenomena such as astrology, UFOs, ESP, and angels from the perspective of sociology. In later chapters the author discusses religious beliefs such as creationism and intelligent design and their movement into politics. This new edition includes student accounts of their experiences, originally written for a senior seminar and three autobiographical accounts culled from other literature. Goode is a professor emeritus of sociology at Stony Brook University. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)