Straight and Crooked Thinking, first published in 1930 and revised in 1953, is a book by Robert H. Thouless which describes, assesses and critically analyses flaws in reasoning and argument. Thouless describes it as a practical manual, rather than a theoretical one. Synopsis Thirty-eight fallacies are discussed in the book. Among them are: No. 3. proof by example, biased sample, cherry picking No. 6. ignoratio elenchi: "red herring" No. 9. false compromise/middle ground No. 12. argument in a circle No. 13. begging the question No. 17. equivocation No. 18. false dilemma: black and white thinking No. 19. continuum fallacy (fallacy of the beard) No. 21. ad nauseam: "argumentum ad nauseam" or "argument from repetition" or "argumentum ad infinitum" No. 25. style over substance fallacy No. 28. appeal to authority No. 31. thought-terminating cliché No. 36. special pleading No. 37. appeal to consequences No. 38. appeal to motive See also List of cognitive biases List of common misconceptions List of fallacies List of memory biases List of topics related to public relations and propaganda References 1953 non-fiction books Cognitive biases Books about bias Logic books