Secrets in the Fields: The Science and Mysticism of Crop Circles

Rating:
Summary: Definitely Worth A Look
Review: This is a good read for anyone who is sincerely interested in the subject. Although Silva, apparently, does not have the academic qualifications of some in the paranormally minded community, he manages to bring together a body of evidence that seems both satisfying and complete. Although other books on the subject are sure to enlighten, this one deserves a place on the bookshelf. It is fairly well conceived and written, adequately documented, and very nicely illustrated.

Rating:
Summary: The Great Crop Circle Hoax
Review: This is a remarkably silly book. The author has performed an extensive analysis of crop circles; unfortunately he seems to have seen exactly what he wants to see. He presents every tale, every story, every incident, mostly without investigation, of strange effects of crop circles that he can find. He quickly demonstrates his lack of knowledge about electromagnetism when he talks about waves, but he presents the ideas with such confidence that readers will believe what he is saying even though they cannot understand it. The book has page after page of semi-scientific mumbo-jumbo which will impress anyone who cannot see that it is mostly nonsense. He uses every way out idea of the dowsers, psychics, and UFO investigators to interpret the meaning of crop circles. The numerous effects he describes, if real, mean that circles should be amenable to serious scientific investigation. Yet no serious scientific investigation is described. Somewhere in England, probably in some country pub, there are a group of hoaxers (who are very artistic individuals) who are laughing themselves silly as they read Silva's interpretation of crop circles.
The best feature of the book is the photograph section which show the great beauty of these artistic formations.