View source for The Truth About Uri Geller

James Randi’s book *The Truth About Uri Geller*, originally published as *The Magic of Uri Geller* in 1975, challenges Uri Geller’s claims of paranormal abilities. Randi, a magician and skeptic, explains that Geller’s feats, such as spoon bending, can be easily replicated using sleight of hand, suggesting they are stage magic rather than psychic phenomena.

The book led to several legal disputes. In 1991, Geller filed a $15 million lawsuit against Randi and the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) over statements that Geller had deceived scientists with simple tricks. The case was dismissed, and Geller eventually settled at a cost of $120,000. In February 1992, Geller sued Randi and others in London for libel over a statement claiming he had been arrested in Israel for falsely asserting psychic powers; the text was corrected to reflect that he had been sued, not arrested. Geller lost this case as well and paid Randi’s legal fees. Another lawsuit filed in April 1992 against Prometheus Books for alleged libel in two books was dismissed in 1994, with Geller ordered to pay $20,273 in legal fees.

Randi maintained that he never paid any damages to Geller or others who sued him. The book received praise from reviewer Dave Langford, who noted Randi’s ability to duplicate Geller’s tricks without invoking paranormal explanations, highlighting the skeptical approach and the unimpressive nature of Geller’s abilities when scrutinized by professionals.