Logic Made Easy, Being Logical

Logic Made Easy

by Deborah Bennett

Penguin Books $135

Being Logical

by D.Q. McInerny

Random House Trade $93

''No' is only 'yes' to a different question.' Anyone who relies on the English language to make their way through daily life in Hong Kong knows this well. We all think we are logical, but logic is actually quite rare. Deborah Bennett's book is a sound starting point to becoming a more logical thinker and better able to reason. She offers a clear explanation of the history of logic and its contribution to reasoning. She also uses little cognitive puzzles to show how logic works. What passes for logic in argument is easily disarmed once you know what to look for. Read this one before tackling D.Q. McInerny's tightly written Being Logical. It's more abstract and requires concentration, although the rewards are there. With logic comes clear thinking and a sharpened ability to reason.