Rating: 
Summary: A classic expose
Review: As the reviewers below note, anyone who has ever read a magazine article or watched a TV documentary about "the uncanny predictions of Nostradamus" should be handed a copy of this book. What's more, any library that stocks Nostradamus' quatrains or literature that credulously promotes him as a magical seer has a positive duty to set this book alongside them as a rational antidote. The evidence Randi sets forth devastates sixth centuries of myth, hype and propaganda surrounding Nostradamus' supposed prognosticatory gifts, and convincingly delineates him as the canny con artist he was.
Rating:
Summary: A classic expose
Review: As the reviewers below note, anyone who has ever read a magazine article or watched a TV documentary about "the uncanny predictions of Nostradamus" should be handed a copy of this book. What's more, any library that stocks Nostradamus' quatrains or literature that credulously promotes him as a magical seer has a positive duty to set this book alongside them as a rational antidote. The evidence Randi sets forth devastates sixth centuries of myth, hype and propaganda surrounding Nostradamus' supposed prognosticatory gifts, and convincingly delineates him as the canny con artist he was.
Rating:
Summary: The facts behind the Nostradamus myth.
Review: At last a highly interesting and well written real examination of the diehard Nostradamus myth. A must for everyone interested in the facts and the history behind the famous "prophet". Very entertaining reading.
Rating:
Summary: A book long overdue
Review: Have you ever noticed those documentary style shows on The History Channel or watched an NBC special on the supernatural or something of the sort and noticed the lack of any objective or sceptical voice when it comes to the supposed prophecies of Nostradamus?Of course any sceptical or reasonable voice would expose the patent nonsense for what it is and that would not make good television,now would it?This state of things has gone on far too long and it is about time someone peeled back the layers of nonsense that has enveloped Nostradamus over the centuries.It is fairly obvious from the get go when you read Nostradamus that the man was as all the other jokesters,hucksters and frauds before him,but since his death he has been credited for predicting every major happening of the last 400 years.Randi makes it very apparent that every generation takes old prophecy and applies it to contemporary events without the least bit of intellectual honesty.Ultimately though I don't think this book or a 100 others like it will make the least bit of difference.People want to believe that they are living at a turning point in history, and whatever prophecy they have to wildly and laughably misinterpret in order to convince themselves of it cannot and will not be swayed by any rational arguments.I'm afraid the irrational is something we just have to accept as an unvanquishable part of the human psyche.
Rating: 
Summary: honest, objective and thoroughly researched
Review: I read this book first about 2 years ago. Frankly Randi didnt seem to spend enough time discussing the subject of the book,Nostaradamus. He discusses astrology in great detail which is interesting at first but eventually becomes tiresome. The book would have a better read if more focus was on debunking nostradamus. The time spent explaining why people have interpreted his quatrains incorrectly is very interesting though. And the stories about Nostradamus and the predictions he provided for individuals of his day were particularly fascinating and really seemed to smash the image most people currently hold of him. Overall its a good book, clearly Mr. Randi did loads of research here. He provides an impressive amount of historical evidence to backup his claims, that's why so many people who review his books at amazon attack him personally, rather than his writings.
Rating:
Summary: The sad part.....
Review: It is so refreshing to read a book on Nostradamus that actually employs the use of facts and thorough research. I applaud James Randi on his work in presenting an accurate picture of the life and times of the famous prophet. And the authors admiration for Nostradamus shows in the work. This is not an attack on the prophet - indeed, Randi praises his work as a doctor curing the plague - but rather an attack on the later interpreters of his work that, so obviously, embellished their translations to further their own views.
But throughout the book is the sad truth that none of the facts or accurate translations will mean anything to "true believers." All of Randi's research and study is tossed out on a whim by anyone who believes in the prophet, because they don't require facts or logic for their beliefs. I wish that this book would be read by Nostradamians and serve as an eye-opener to the truth.....But I just don't see it happening.
And why is is that believers never offer accurate predictions based on his work until AFTER the event has already occurred?
Rating:
Summary: The sad part.....
Review: It is so refreshing to read a book on Nostradamus that actually employs the use of facts and thorough research. I applaud James Randi on his work in presenting an accurate picture of the life and times of the famous prophet. And the authors admiration for Nostradamus shows in the work. This is not an attack on the prophet - indeed, Randi praises his work as a doctor curing the plague - but rather an attack on the later interpreters of his work that, so obviously, embellished their translations to further their own views.
But throughout the book is the sad truth that none of the facts or accurate translations will mean anything to "true believers." All of Randi's research and study is tossed out on a whim by anyone who believes in the prophet, because they don't require facts or logic for their beliefs. I wish that this book would be read by Nostradamians and serve as an eye-opener to the truth.....But I just don't see it happening.
And why is is that believers never offer accurate predictions based on his work until AFTER the event has already occurred?
Rating:
Summary: Delightful, Wise and Witty
Review: James Randi treats the reputation of Nostradamus as a prophet and healer with the bemused contempt that it deserves, and this, combined with his thorough knowledge of the tricks of the trade of "New Age" charlatanism, makes this book worth an entire library of pro-Nostradamus tomes. The highlight of the book concerns Randi's examination of ten of the most notorious of Nostradamus' quatrains -- including those which are supposed to refer to Napoleon and Hitler -- and his systematic dismemberment of the outlandish claims that have been foisted upon them by the cynical and the credulous (BTW, the two famous "Hister" references in Nostradamus are, as Randi shows, archaicisms concerning the Danube river, and not foreshadowings of the future dictator). Towards the end of the book [p.223], Randi offers his own "prophecy," which seems to encapsulate the general spirit of the book: "The legend of Nostradamus, faulty as it is, will survive us all. Not because of its worth, but because of its seductive attraction, the idea that the Prophet of Salon could see into the future will persist. An ever-abundant number of interpreters will pop up to renew the shabby exterior of his image, and that gloss will serve to entice more unwary fans into acceptance of the false predictions that have enthralled millions in the centuries since his death. Shameless rationalizations will be made, ugly facts will be ignored and common sense will continue to be submerged in enthusiasm."
Rating:
Summary: Randi should get the Nobel Prize!
Review: James Randi's book is a brilliant expose of a man whose work is taken way too seriously. His research is extensive, his arguments persuasive. I don't see how any Nostradamus believer who reads this book can honestly say they still believe in this now-debunked scam artist. Kudos, Mr. Randi! Now, if only you could write a book on Gordon Michael Scallion....
Rating:
Summary: A very good book, exposing fraud spanning centuries
Review: Life would undoubtedly be more interesting if we could predict the future, but unfortunately this is not the case. Nostradamus has only been right sometimes (and then still doubtful) with hindi sight only. i.e. : Oh, yes if we interprete Nostradumus in "this" way, he must have predicted the future. The amount of paper wasted on this obscure Medieval figure is totally out of proportion, and the only good book on him is the one written by James Randi
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