Rating: 
Summary: Very exciting work
Review: I have read this book several times from the library, and finally decided to just buy it. Another review mentioned how he seems to deny all miracles, but that is not the impression I got (which most of the other reviews also seemed to have a similar understanding) considering he is simply trying to show that most (in)famous miracles do not hold up well under a rigorous inspection. The area that I wish he had addressed was the life and miracles claimed of Jesus. I understand that to be an even more touchy- and to some, insensitive- subject but I have a lot of respect for Joe Nickell and his many-faceted career; I think he could treat the subject with the needed care.
The book is worth reading alone for the sections on commercial miracle workers and healers (Oral Roberts, e.g.) and how they abuse the faith of those who give them money. I'm sure this is not an original idea but these commercial tele-evangelists are basically bringing back indulgences from the ancient Catholic church. Most modern people, religous or not, are sickened of the idea of indulgences and use it as a primary example of past Catholic corruption, yet it is still happening today, with not nearly the outcry that one might expect. But I digress...
This book is well-done, and raises many important ideas that I cannot give the proper justice too. Highly recommended...
Rating: 
Summary: irrational and poorly written
Review: I used to think that new age books stretched the credibility of readers, but the award has to go to Nickells book. He claims that miracles, levitations, and the rest of the supernatural phenomena he critiques are the result of illusion, lies, and credulous or stupid people. The explanations he offers for miracles are so far fetched as not even to be considered. The history of religions stretches for thousands of years. Are all the testimonials of catholics, hindus, buddhists and the rest all false? What could possibly be the purpose behind so much fakery and illusion? Nickells claims its for money and fame. If that were true, monks and nuns are wasting their time in a monastery, they should go to Las Vegas instead. The book breaks the bounds of credibility. His explanations are so far fetched as not worth considering. He uses special pleading, begging the question, and arguments from ignorance among other fallacies. While it is true that cases of stigmata and other phenomena have been faked, even the vatican knows that. But their are genuine cases that are not disproven. To believe this book, we would have to believe that all religious phenomena have been faked or illusions for the past 6,000 years among hindus, buddhists and catholics. Amazing! This book is not recommended and offers a very poor critique of such phenomena. True believers are even among skeptics and such will not believe in the paranormal no matter what the evidence is.
Rating: 
Summary: They done it with mirrors?
Review: If you like the "they done it with mirrors" literature, this is good reading, although author Joe Nickell deliberately picks the silliest "miracles" and debunks them, thus showing how stupid belief in the miraculous is. And while he sniffs at the faulty recherches of the "miraculists", he himself cites an example of an old "folk tale": "For example, there is the story of castle Lockenhaus in Austria, whose sixtenth-century-owner, a countess Bathory, was rumored to have murdered young girls and drunk there blood." Quite right! Only it wasn't Castle Lockenhaus, but Castle Tzetsche, which isn't in Austria, but in Hungary, Countess Erszebeth Bathory was not "rumored" to have killed young girls, but was convicted in public trial before the Hungarian King Matthias (the case of the Blood Countess is famous in Austria and Hungary and much written about by scholars) and she did not drink the blood of sixhundred servant maids, but, being a sexual sadist and a lesbian, tortured them to death. So much for thorough investigation, Mr. Nickell! Still, the book makes interesting reading, especially for a Protestant like me who has always looked askance at weeping icons und "holy" relics, and the scientific explanations of how some miracles are done are most interesting. And, I must admit, Mr. Nickell is fair in so far as he notes that the Catholic Church is not always happy with such miracles. Still, I feel this is the counterpart to the miraculist who will believe anything, proven or not. Joe Nickell disbelieves in anything, proven or not.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent. Should be read by all "believers."
Review: Insightful and thought-provoking examination of the need of humans to believe in a higher power, even to the point of imagining and making-up miracles. In addition Mr. Nickell shows other less noble ideas of what caused a "miracle" such as greed. I think this book will get some readers to outwardly show anger. However, inside I bet they are questioning their beliefs. Afterall, a good book should give you something to think about for a while even if it scares you. Bravo!!
Rating:
Summary: Much needed inquiry
Review: Joe Nickell doesn't question anyone's right to believe what they want, he simply questions those who would manipulate the faithful with false religious tangibility. Religion is not tangible, it is based on faith, and those who would use that faith for their own ends need to be exposed. A previous reviewer asked what could possibly be gained by 6,000 years of religious fakery? The naivete of that question shows that it is obviously being asked by someone too fearful to question the validity of their own faith. Control, power, fortune...aren't those the things we fight for even today? why is the Catholic church so rich? Is it because they don't want to be? That they are indifferent to the wealth gleaned from their faithful? Joe Nickell is among the astute observers of human behavior who simply wants to point out that devout religious faith, to the individual, is a choice for them to make, but devout religious faith manipulation and chicanery are much more common and need to be exposed for what they are, methods of controlling those who would not otherwise ask if the emperor, pope, minister, or faith-healer has any clothes.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent debunking of miracle claims
Review: Looking for a miracle is a high work of scholarship showing that miracle claims have naturalistic and scientific expalnations. Through a careful analysis of the facts, Nickell shows how all of these so called "miracle claims" are nothing more than wishful thinking based on FAITH not FACT. Nickell is unbiased and impartial and does not scorn religious beliefs, but merely shows why they are not miracles. Excllent chapters on the shroud of turin and the so called "incorruptables". Good book for those who are rational thinkers, not belivers.
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant, unbiased examination of miracles
Review: Nickell carefully examines various miracles ranging from uncorruptible corpses to stigmata, and offers his own credible explanations. This is a good introduction to the topic, a welcome change from the gullible tabloid-type journalism we see so much of. A must for anyone, skeptic or believer, who wants to hear the other side of the story.
Rating:
Summary: This book tells it like it is.
Review: No amount of anecdotal evidence is proof of anything. The simple truth is that there is not one single shred of scientifically verifiable evidence for miracles which would have required a suspension of the laws of nature to be true. The chapter on miracle cures is especially telling; the charlatans that prey on the sick cause tremendous harm to individuals and society - and the author makes that point tellingly. My only criticism of the book is that it is too short. More please!
Rating: 
Summary: Big Honkin' Error Destroyed Author's Credibility For Me
Review: This book is entertaining enough. However, whether or not you believe in the miracle of Lourdes, you should know that the author either lied or made a really stupid mistake in his investigation.Bernardette, the visionary, stated that the Virgin Mary told her, "I am the Immaculate Conception". According to Nickell, Bernardette CHANGED HER MIND after the authorities told her that Mary would never say that and agreed to reword that sentence as "I am the product of the Immaculate Conception". Now anyone who's familiar with the story of Our Lady of Lourdes - even if you've only seen the sentimentalized Hollywood movie starring Jennifer Jones - knows that that is simply not true! Yes, the authorities did TRY to get Bernadette to change the wording, but she refused, insisting that's what "The Lady" said. And that phrase, "I am the Immaculate Conception", appears on every holy card, medal, or other representation of the vision to this day. The fact that Mr. Nickell didn't take the time or trouble to check this out made me doubt both his credibility and his objectivity.
Rating:
Summary: Big Honkin' Error Destroyed Author's Credibility For Me
Review: This book is entertaining enough. However, whether or not you believe in the miracle of Lourdes, you should know that the author either lied or made a really stupid mistake in his investigation. Bernardette, the visionary, stated that the Virgin Mary told her, "I am the Immaculate Conception". According to Nickell, Bernardette CHANGED HER MIND after the authorities told her that Mary would never say that and agreed to reword that sentence as "I am the product of the Immaculate Conception". Now anyone who's familiar with the story of Our Lady of Lourdes - even if you've only seen the sentimentalized Hollywood movie starring Jennifer Jones - knows that that is simply not true! Yes, the authorities did TRY to get Bernadette to change the wording, but she refused, insisting that's what "The Lady" said. And that phrase, "I am the Immaculate Conception", appears on every holy card, medal, or other representation of the vision to this day. The fact that Mr. Nickell didn't take the time or trouble to check this out made me doubt both his credibility and his objectivity.
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