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Nathaniel Bluedorn
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The Fallacy Detective: Thirty-Eight Lessons on How to Recognize Bad Reasoning Kindle Edition

by Nathaniel Bluedorn (Author), Hans Bluedorn (Author), Rob Corley (Illustrator), Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 1,896 ratings

The Fallacy Detective has been the best selling text for teaching logical fallacies and introduction to logic for over 20 years.

"Can learning logic be fun? With The Fallacy Detective it appears that it can be. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who wants to improve his reasoning skills."--Tim Challies, curriculum reviewer

"Cartoon and comic illustrations, humorous examples, and a very reader-friendly writing style make this the sort of course students will enjoy."--Cathy Duffy, homeschool curriculum reviewer

"I really like The Fallacy Detective because it has funny cartoons, silly stories, and teaches you a lot!"--11 Year Old

What is a fallacy? A fallacy is an error in logic a place where someone has made a mistake in his thinking. This is a handy book for learning to spot common errors in reasoning.

- For ages twelve through adult.

- Fun to use -- learn skills you can use right away.

- Peanuts, Dilbert, and Calvin and Hobbes cartoons.

- Includes The Fallacy Detective Game.

- Exercises with answer key.

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  1. Reading age
    12 - 18 years
  2. Print length
    346 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    September 20, 2009
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0974531564
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Popular Highlights in this book
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  1. The genetic fallacy is condemning an argument because of where it began, how it began, or who began it.
    Highlighted by 520 Kindle readers
  2. Tu quoque is dismissing someone’s viewpoint on an issue because he himself is inconsistent in that very thing.
    Highlighted by 503 Kindle readers
  3. A faulty appeal to authority is an appeal to someone who has no special knowledge in the area being discussed.
    Highlighted by 487 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

Review

I'm always delighted when two sides that seem mutually opposed come together in harmonious agreement. I'm even more delighted when I've taken one of those sides. In this case, I write of the efforts of Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn, brothers from Iowa who advocate homeschooling and create educational materials from a Christian worldview. The fruit of the latest Bluedorn effort is a short text, The Fallacy Detective, designed to be a primer in logic for older children, specifically homeschooled Christian children, though the book is intended for anyone who wants to explore the subject. . . . I find it wonderful that the Bluedorns, among others, are actively reinvigorating the religious world with a healthy dose of independent thought . . . --Andrew C. Thomas, The Tech (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

My family and I are really enjoying your book. Even my youngest son, who is eight, enjoys attempting to answer the questions. Your book was a great introduction to another program that I had purchased. Going directly into that program probably would have bored my children to tears but now they are interested in the concepts of logic. My children became instantly attracted to the program because of the the comic segments but later couldn't put it down. --LaVera, MD, parent

I love your book! I never knew how much fun logic was until I read your book. P.S. I am 12 years old. --Paul Muenster, student

About the Author

In 1999 Nathaniel Bluedorn and Hans Bluedorn decided to try to turn their interest in logic into a livelihood by starting FallacyDetective.com. Since then, they have written two books on logic for children and adults, The Fallacy Detective and The Thinking Toolbox.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B006M8OZV4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Christian Logic; 4th edition (September 20, 2009)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 20, 2009
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6.4 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 346 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 1,896 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Nathaniel Bluedorn

    Nathaniel Bluedorn

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  2. Hans Bluedorn

    Hans Bluedorn

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    Hans grew up in the middle of a cornfield in western Illinois. He started getting serious about writing at the age of 15 with a book report titled "Beerwulf by Unabridged." Later, he wrote two books that teach critical thinking skills to kids: The Fallacy Detective and The Thinking Toolbox. His latest book is about imagination and friendship: Archer and Zowie.

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
1,896 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book effective at teaching principles of reasoning and logic, with one noting it's a great way for adults to understand fallacies. Moreover, the book is excellent for all ages, particularly teens, and customers appreciate its humorous approach. However, the ease of understanding receives mixed feedback, with some finding it easy to understand while others disagree.

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100 customers mention "Teaching ability"96 positive4 negative

Customers praise the book's teaching ability, highlighting its great principles about reasoning and logic, simple lessons, and entry-level approach to informal logic.

"Great way to learn how to communicate well and really listen." Read more

"...I really like how it presents the information. My kids have always been able to understand it and grow in that area as well." Read more

"...Wow, this is so much fun and we are learning so much, it makes it a breeze to class prep and the kids love it. Using it in a class with 11-16 y.o" Read more

"...Especially helpful in teaching kids to think critically about marketing, politics, religion etc. A skill that would also help many adults...." Read more

19 customers mention "Age range"19 positive0 negative

Customers find this book excellent for all ages, particularly noting it is great for teens and can be used as a family activity.

"Don’t let the juvenile cover fool you. It’s an excellent book for youth and adults alike. I’m reading this with my 15yo now...." Read more

"Good book for young teens" Read more

"...It's perfect for middle schoolers or an "easy A" for high schoolers...." Read more

"...only a third of the way through it and it has been a major opener for my 15 year old son...." Read more

16 customers mention "Humor"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it fun and making logic entertaining.

"...Wow, this is so much fun and we are learning so much, it makes it a breeze to class prep and the kids love it. Using it in a class with 11-16 y.o" Read more

"This is a fun book, but I guess I had higher expectations. I bought this after watching a MrBeat YouTube...." Read more

"...The examples were amusing and light-hearted. Overall, the book captured my attention...." Read more

"The author's humorous examples show how ridiculous and yet how prevalent are logical fallacies in our commercial and political life...." Read more

6 customers mention "Effectiveness"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book effective, with one mentioning it sparks great discussions and another noting how it shines a light on logical reasoning.

"...The book is effective in a way that explains common sense concepts to a world that no longer has any." Read more

"...It has sparked some really great, thought-provoking discussions. I am stoked to find such a helpful and uncomplicated logic book." Read more

"...working through this book with my kids, but I can safely say it's a HUGE hit! My kids range from 11 to 17 and they've all learned so much...." Read more

"Product worked as expected" Read more

37 customers mention "Ease of understanding"25 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about how easy the book is to understand, with some finding it simple and easy to read, while others disagree.

"...this is so much fun and we are learning so much, it makes it a breeze to class prep and the kids love it. Using it in a class with 11-16 y.o" Read more

"This book is great. My teen daughter is going through it. Easy for her to use on her own." Read more

"...frequently use a snarky sense of humor that is much too wry for their target audience to comprehend...." Read more

"I think the information is well organized. The book is great for review, but it*s good for beginners or someone looking for a general summary...." Read more

it's a good book
5 out of 5 stars
it's a good book
This is a good book to teach logical fallacies. I think the topic should be thought in schools. Every topic (fallacy) starts with an example, follows with explanation and common mistakes, then ends with exercise.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Torey Heinz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, I wish all adults would read this
    Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Great way to learn how to communicate well and really listen.
    Helpful
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  • C. White
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended Version
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is the 3rd child I have used this book with. I really like how it presents the information. My kids have always been able to understand it and grow in that area as well.
    9 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Gingermom
    5.0 out of 5 stars PLEASE BUY IT!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Using it as curriculum for one of our co-op homeschool classes. Wow, this is so much fun and we are learning so much, it makes it a breeze to class prep and the kids love it.
    Using it in a class with 11-16 y.o
    26 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Lara
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Don’t let the juvenile cover fool you. It’s an excellent book for youth and adults alike. I’m reading this with my 15yo now. In the world we live in the information this book contains is an absolute necessity. Buy it!
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Jelly
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good tool if raising critical thinkers
    Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Overall this book does a good job of introducing kids to the basics of philosophy and logic. Especially helpful in teaching kids to think critically about marketing, politics, religion etc. A skill that would also help many adults.

    There are quite a few errors within it that even my kids picked up on as we worked through the book. Would love to see a revised edition come out.
    Helpful
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  • George Bogaski
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great for teaching logic
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Has the father of a 10-year-old and helping to educate him, I found this book. Invaluable in teaching fallacies and propaganda. I like the examples and the way you can test to see if you can spot a fallacy or not. We did debate some of the fallacies, but the authors did so as well too. About the only improvement I could suggest, is to make a sheet with the guide of the fallacy name is definition and an example. We created one on our own and laminated it so we could reference it as we were debating what fallacy was present.
    42 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Annette Breach
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book is great. My teen daughter is going through it. Easy for her to use on her own.
    8 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • djseber
    5.0 out of 5 stars clear wording. to the point
    Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great for seeing through arguments or pleas from propaganda to straw man tactics there are a lot of ways people can avoid the truth as shown in this book
    8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Just Some Guy in Tokyo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book for adults too
    Reviewed in Japan on January 3, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Easy to read and get through. Some fallacies tend to be super nuanced so the simple explanations help.
    Report
  • Oriana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect introduction for a logic stage grade 7 youth!
    Reviewed in Canada on December 25, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    We used this book for my grade 7 child - as we are a new homeschool family and I wanted to introduce him to the idea of logic. He loves working his way through it. The book is funny and fun, and leads to great discussion. I have learned a lot as well, and enjoy browsing through the pages. Highly recommended!
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in France on September 29, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Easy to read, funny and well structured. I liked the exercises, the game at the end of the book and the final summary of the fallacies with additional examples - well thought.
    Report
  • LiangCao
    5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter enjoys reading it
    Reviewed in Sweden on March 20, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I would read it with my children
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente!
    Reviewed in Brazil on September 26, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Este livro é realmente perfeito para iniciar lógica informal com as crianças!
    Nós realmente amamos os livros da família Bluedorn!
    Report

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