Shortlisted for the 2009 Royal Society Prize for Science Books.
Ben Goldacre targets medical charlatans, quacks, frauds and cons with great relish. His medical expertise allowing him to dissect each one proving the case against them, pulling no punches, his often witheringly funny comments make this an exhilarating read. Funny he can be but his serious purpose is to show how we are being deceived, with any luck giving readers the ammunition to spot future deceptions for themselves.
July 2009 Guest Editor Louise Wener onBad Science by BEN GOLDACRE A
simple, witty debunking of the junk science that has taken root in our
culture; from the myth of detoxing and homeopathic cure alls, to our
fear of the MMR vaccine. Goldacre skillfully examines how the media
whips us into a frenzy about non-existent bogeymen and makes us all the
poorer as a consequence. At a time when we seem to be rejecting
scientific fact and seeking solace in instant, gobbledygook solutions,
it feels like vital stuff.
The informative and witty expose of the "e;bad science"e; we are all subjected to, called "e;one of the essential reads of the year"e; by New Scientist.We are obsessed with our health. And yet from the media's "e;world-expert microbiologist"e; with a mail-order Ph.D. in his garden shed laboratory, and via multiple health scares and miracle cures we are constantly bombarded with inaccurate, contradictory, and sometimes even misleading information. Until now. Ben Goldacre masterfully dismantles the questionable science behind some of the great drug trials, court cases, and missed opportunities of our time, but he also goes further: out of the bullshit, he shows us the fascinating story of how we know what we know, and gives us the tools to uncover bad science for ourselves.From the Hardcover edition.
‘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)
Author
About Ben Goldacre
Dr Ben Goldacre is the author of the 'Bad Science' column in the 'Guardian' ? one of the most popular columns in the newspaper. During the past three years it has become one of the most popular columns in the paper, receiving hundreds of emails every week with tip-offs for stories. He studied Medicine at Oxford. He is 34 and now works full time for the NHS as an academic and hospital doctor, seeing patients and explaining difficult ideas to difficult people. Ben also appears regularly on TV and radio commenting on cosmetics, adverts, scares and alternative therapies.
