Ben Goldacre’s wise and witty bestseller, shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize, lifts the lid on quack doctors, flaky statistics, scaremongering journalists and evil pharmaceutical corporations.
Since 2003 Dr Ben Goldacre has been exposing dodgy medical data in his popular Guardian column. In this eye-opening book he takes on the MMR hoax and misleading cosmetics ads, acupuncture and homeopathy, vitamins and mankind’s vexed relationship with all manner of ‘toxins’. Along the way, the self-confessed ‘Johnny Ball cum Witchfinder General’ performs a successful detox on a Barbie doll, sees his dead cat become a certified nutritionist and probes the supposed medical qualifications of ‘Dr’ Gillian McKeith.
Full spleen and satire, Ben Goldacre takes us on a hilarious, invigorating and ultimately alarming journey through the bad science we are fed daily by hacks and quacks.
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780007284870
Number of pages: 288
Weight: 280 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 25 mm
‘From an expert with a mail-order PhD to debunking the myths of homeopathy, Ben Goldacre talking the reader through some notable cases and shows how to you don’t need a science degree to spot “bad science” yourself.’ Independent (Book of the Year) ‘His book aims to teach us better, in the hope that one day we write less nonsense.’ Daily Telegraph (Book of the Year) ‘For sheer savagery, the illusion-destroying, joyous attack on the self-regarding, know-nothing orthodoxies of the modern middle classes, “Bad Science” can not be beaten. You’ll laugh your head off, then throw all those expensive health foods in the bin.’ Trevor Philips, Observer (Book of the Year) ‘Unmissable…laying about himself in a froth of entirely justified indignation, Goldacre slams the mountebanks and bullshitters who misuse science. Few escape: drug companies, self-styled nutritionists, deluded researchers and journalists all get thoroughly duffed up. It is enormously enjoyable.’ The Times (Book of the Year)
An excellent read for layman and professional. Sometimes rather deep but this is required to (very) convincingly analyse the subject matter.
Goldacre reveals the abuse and misuse of science by individuals, companies...
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Along with some others, I had never read Goldacre's columns in the newspaper, nor had I read anything about him before. I was sort of 'forced' into reading this book and I HATED it! Even though I have a... More
This was recommended to me as I usually enjoy science/health titles. Sadly not this one. I don't think that there's a problem with with Ben's opinions as long as you take them as just that, opinions. I... More
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