Book excerpt: This book is designed to convince the healthy and scientific-minded sceptic that hand analysis is a science worthy of serious consideration. The laws of scientific hand analysis are presented here in a very simple manner, and are amply illustrated by diagrams. This book is also intended for those who do not have the faintest concept of what hand analysis or astrology is all about, so that no previous knowledge is required for its understanding. At the same time the subject of hand analysis has been comprehensively emphasized. As such this book will be of interest to professional astrologers. In many Eastern countries leading astrologers have a good knowledge of hand analysis. Where the horoscope does not give clear guidance on a particular aspect, they consult the palms in order to obtain clarification. The ideas put forward in this book are based on the Indian, Western and Egyptian schools of hand analysis, although the Indian system has been used the most. The scientific rationale be-hind the wearing of particular gems in order to ward off evil planetary influences is also succinctly described. Above all, this is meant to be an eminently straightforward and practical work. The sceptic has only to study his own palms to be pleasantly surprised at how accurately hand analysis reveals his own particular case.