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Oct 26, 2011

Petra X rated it:

10-star book

Edit - I have edited the review as the book is now available in the US. Truly a worthwhile read, one up for us against big Pharma!

Until recently this book was not available in the US as books that attack big Pharma, alternative medicine gurus (especially the tv variety) and sacred cows like the MMR-Autism myth get sued just to stop publication even if there is no hope of winning the suit.

This is an important book and illuminates the part the medi More...

11 comments like (21 people liked it)

Apr 12, 2011

Paul rated it:

Beads that sparkle like a prism, snake oil for your rheumatism,
Calico and gingham for the girls.
Cast your eye on Dr. Borer’s patent-pending hair restorer,
guaranteed to grow hair on a billiard ball

Hands up who doesn't recognise which gender-bending musical those portentous words emanate from ?

Okay, it was Calamity Jane. You knew that, I know. Can't just be me whose mind is stuffed with the lyrical junk of six decades.

Onward to the review.
More...

16 comments like (9 people liked it)

Oct 27, 2011

Nancy rated it:

I've read about most of the topics covered in this book elsewhere, but Goldacre does a great job of teaching us to spot the failures of Big Pharma, alternative medicine and journalism. He does this in an entertaining way using ripped-from-the-headlines stories.

Last week I was in the mood to read some non-fiction so went to the shelves of one of my goodreads friends and made a list of her 5 star health and science books. Armed with that,I found several of those books at the library an More...

1 comment like (3 people liked it)

Feb 04, 2009

Deirdre rated it:

An extension of his blog, this is a collection of basically rants about how science and statistics are abused by a variety of people. It also looks at faulty science behind some nutritionists and some of their dodgy "credentials". His emphasis is on making people question "facts" and double check the evidence.

However, people don't have the time for a lot of this, and when you're offered a glimmer of hope people tend to take it. The placebo effect is explored here More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Apr 02, 2011

Ken rated it:

No one is spared in this delightfully infuriating tour of the myriad ways we can be duped by bad advice on health and medicine.

The author, Dr. Ben Goldacre, skewers alternative medicine quack jobs, data dithering drug researchers, scare mongering journalists, pinheaded politicians, and simple minded celebrities who would all gleefully sell us horse manure if we were willing to buy it.

And he does it with a flair for making the confusing understandable as well as entertainin More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 05, 2011

Melanie rated it:

Kluge Lektüre über den pseudo-wissenschaftlichen Nonsens der unsere Gesellschaft überflutet. Obwohl von dem Arzt und Psychiater Ben Goldacre (bekannt für seine Kolumne "Bad Science" - so auch der englische Originaltitel des Buches - in der britischen Zeitung "The Guardian") für Laien geschrieben, sind grundlegende naturwissenschaftliche Kenntnisse nicht von Nachteil, um alle Kapitel völlig zu durchblicken.

Das Buch befasst sich zwar vornehmlich mit der Situation im More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 16, 2011

Katie rated it:

This book speaks to my critical nature! The conversational and personal tone make it very easy to read. I found the HIV/AIDS lack-of-treatment and vaccine scare chapters the most interesting because they provide very good talking points for my job. The author Dr. Goldacre asks people to exercise common sense and, above all, to trust science - not the sciencey-ness used in the marketing of everything from diet fads to homeopathic medicine and so on. This is a good read, if for nothing else, to re More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 28, 2011

Eva added it

Kindle highlights (with bad formatting):

“As it is a major component of blood, water is vital for transporting oxygen to the brain.” Heaven forbid that your blood should dry out.

Their special, proprietary, theatrical yawn will lead to “increased oxidation for efficient relaxed functioning.” Oxidation is what causes rusting. It is not the same as oxygenation, which I suppose is what they mean.

I’d like to su More...

0 comments like

Jan 11, 2012

Lee rated it:

I’ve had the paperback of this for some time, but never got around to more than the first few pages (I seem to start a lot of books which now lay abandoned around the house) and so bought it as an audiobook. Even then getting through it seemed to take a long time.

I believe in Goldacre’s aim, which is to highlight the poor reporting of science stories in the media and draw attention to the lack of evidence behind many of the claims made by supposed ‘health professionals’ and the media More...

2 comments like

Nov 21, 2011

Cat rated it:

I read this for two reasons: first it was a damaged copy from the shop, going nowhere but to the large pulping machine in the sky and secondly, I needed to read something to help me get my head around critiquing research fast. I've done a lot of research critiquing in the past in my previously life with the NHS. But I needed a brush up for university and this was perfect in many ways. It takes the shit out of stats and makes them friendly. I particularly liked the writing around Big Pharma and j More...

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Oct 20, 2011

Andrew rated it:

Bad Science is a book mostly about all those people who use fake science to sell you something. It concentrates on medical matters as the author is a doctor, although I am pretty sure the same problems can be found anywhere where there is money to be made. He concentrates in particular those whose advice might even prove harmful to your health, let alone your pocket.

Who knew that the antioxidents were not good for you for instance? Assuming you trust this author that is. And I guess More...

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Sep 28, 2011

Greg rated it:

Bad Science is a book that I should have liked more than I did. He basically looks at a bunch of different pseudo-medical fads (detox baths, homeopathy, etc.) and explains that there's no real science to back them up by looking at the studies they cite and tearing them apart. He also writes a bit about the placebo effect, which is often not corrected for in said studies. Then he goes on to discuss more ways that studies are poorly conducted, and takes the media to task (rightfully so) for their More...

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Aug 05, 2011

Berenice rated it:

Book Group summary: Although we were all shocked and disturbed at the Bad Science out there, we didn't have a bad word to say about the book. It was really eye-opening to realise how far individuals and companies are prepared to go to back up unrealistic and, in some cases, dangerous claims about their lotions and potions. More shocking still is the way the media supports the quacks while distorting and misreporting the results of genuine science research and trials.

The problems this causes to o More...

0 comments like

Jun 08, 2011

Lcbogota rated it:

The aim of this book is that the reader shall be future-proofed against new variants of bullshit (p.88). With sardonic wit, Goldacre takes aim at the pseudoscience touted in the media that backs up all sorts of farcical claims. From "detox" systems that have no effect on the body but assuage the guilty mind, to the breathtaking lack of substantiation for homeopathic medicine and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in general, to high-end cosmetics that imply miracles and conta More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

May 09, 2011

Gordon rated it:

This is a very good book about very bad science. The author is a British physician, psychiatrist and journalist who writes both a blog (www.badscience.net) and a weekly column for The Guardian newspaper in the UK.

Goldacre's focus, not surprisingly, is the form of bad science that that thrives so riotously in the field of medicine and health -- including everything from homeopathy to food supplements to anti-vaccination nuttiness to Brain Gym. Common to all these forms of bad science i More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Mar 01, 2011

T. rated it:

Apologies for the spoiler (never quite sure what constitutes a spoiler in non-fiction) but this book is best explained by one of the many hilarious/head-against-brick-wall insights found within.

- you'll always find the science reporting in newspapers (and other mass medias) dummed down, however notice that the financial, sports and literature sections are not thusly treated -

Bad Science is pretty much about what it says its about. In perhaps a similar vein to "The Re More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 02, 2011

Austin rated it:

Goldacre is a physician in the UK who has dedicated himself, through his column in The Guardian, to combating pseudoscience - particularly in health care. He starts the book by making some pretty well-worn arguments against homeopathy and other alternative medicine. That said, he does a much better job than most because he sets up his standards for proof of efficacy in a very thorough and well-organized way. In the process, he comes to the best description I've come across so far of what makes a More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 03, 2010

Julie rated it:

Bad Science is a fascinating book. Goldacre, a British medical doctor, bemoans the lack of scientific literacy in the public -- why is it that homeopaths and other alternative therapies can flourish despite evidence, why nutritionists tout one fad diet after another with great success, and how quack doctors can come to prominence and cause real harm. This book is an attempt to inject some basic scientific literacy into its readers, with clear, concise language and great deal of wit.

Gol More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 09, 2010

Jafar rated it:

This is the kind of the book that I would make everyone read when I get to rule the world. There’s so much nonsense going around these days in the name of science and research that a lot of people would be quite shocked with this book. Examples are endless. Detox treatment? Just a big hoax. Homeopathy? Even a bigger hoax. All those fancy and expensive cosmetic products that supposedly do magic to your skin? Just a waste of money. Vitamin C prevents and treats cold? Not really. Antioxidants slow More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Mar 17, 2010

Matt rated it:

This excellent book written by the intelligent and entertaining doctor and health communicator Ben Goldacre is a must read for anyone who has an opinion about any health issue you've seen, heard or read about in the media. Although written in the context of the UK, its lessons and advice apply to anyone anywhere.

Covering everything from CAM (including chiropractic and homeopathy) to vaccinations to self-proclaimed "TV professors" (like Gillian McKeith) to the pros & cons of More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Nov 15, 2009

Jon Edward rated it:

Goldacre has written an amusing, easily read, and slightly terrifying book about science illiteracy in popular culture. If you have an interest in health, medicine, science or even not being misled by statistics, it's worth reading.

Non-UK readers will find parts of it difficult to understand, especially with undefined acronyms and details of popular culture we could not possibly know, but that's where the story is told and if you can tolerate not knowing exactly what he's saying, al More...

2 comments like

Nov 11, 2009

Ross rated it:

Ben Goldacre is a crusader against charlatans , humbuggers and the ignorant in their claims for the efficacy of alternative and conventional therapies and in the application of so called 'science' to a range of issues. Among his targets are the likes of homeopaths , big pharma , prosecutors and the defense at law and journalists , of whom he is particularly scathing . He also takes on some UK specific personalities . Along the way he arms his readers with a range of logic , statistical an More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

May 14, 2009

Davek rated it:

This is a great quick read full of useful stuff, it’s a bit of a reference book you can go back over at your leisure. It makes you think before read another “researches say headline” and helped me crystallise my misgivings about headlines saying things like coffee/sugar/sex/lavender (insert your own words) can reduce your risk of getting cancer by 30%. It’s all about the whole group analysis rather than relative percentages.

His ranting about the science writers in the press with the More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 12, 2011

Христо rated it:

ПСЕВДОНАУКАТА в цялата й алчна смехотворност! http://www.knigolandia.info/2011/09/blog...

Имал съм шанса да препоръчам много силни книги за превод - “Странната наука за безсмъртието”, “Мръсната история” и “Как се раждат добрите идеи” (ревю скоро) например са великолепни книги, но “Псевдонауката” на Бен Голдейкър е моята голяма радост – остра, забавна, рационална, отрезвяваща! И громяща без жал десетки неща, които са ми органично противни, но за жалост приемани безкритично от милиарди х More...

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Mar 29, 2011

Jay rated it:

I can't remember where I heard about this book. Probably somebody on Goodreads or Peter.

Ben Goldacre makes some very good statements about homeopathy, anti-vaccinators and nutritionists. What he spoke primarily about are things that I've always held to be true, anyway, particularly about the placebo effect, and how homeopathy can be seen as a placebo. His comments on the MMR vaccines and the HIV/AIDS remarks (vitamin C is better for HIV sufferers than AZT) and issues presented are ne More...

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Jan 09, 2011

Theresa rated it:

Ben Goldacre has written this book to explain how proper scientific research is conducted and why it is conducted the way it is. He spends a great deal of time on the placebo effect and regression to the mean. And, complains that this information isn’t taught in schools.

Is the book informative? Yes. Was it worth reading? Most definitely. Especially the part about how pharmaceutical companies can legally and conveniently hide the bad results that they get when testing new drugs.
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Aug 21, 2011

Daniel rated it:

A brilliant book for EVERYONE to read, especially since we're constantly bombarded with "scientific" studies and research by the news and supposed "experts" in the fields. Goldacre successfully points out the flaws in many mainstream ideas such as homeopathy, nutritionists, and the MMR-autism scare. Who knew that antioxidants could be potentially harmfull or at best have absolutely no effect on the body?
Goldacre is just as critical of Big Pharma as he is of everyone More...

1 comment like

Jul 03, 2011

Chris rated it:

Although a bit tedious in places, this book is an invaluable tool for the general public to use in evaluating health news and claims. Dr. Goldacre explains the parameters of good research and how to spot quack claims, biased reporting and pseudoscience in general. He blasts non-science reporters for picking and choosing studies that have scare value while ignoring research that disputes wild claims. He castigates so-called nutritionists and their advice about vitamin megadoses supposedly needed More...

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Mar 28, 2011

Koen rated it:

Goldacre talks about all of the usual things: homeopathy (which he usually, but not always, spells that way, despite being British), nutritionism, modern-day snake oil, manufactured scientific controversy, &c., and the various reasons these things catch on, including the placebo effect, cognitive biases, and journalism majors. Unlike most people who write about this crap, he isn't afraid to call bullshit bullshit and lies lies, though he does often pull punches when it comes to calling bullshitt More...

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Dec 05, 2011

Maikel rated it:

I read Ben Goldacre’s Bad Science over the weekend. This book tells the story of various cases of scientific bullshit (as he aptly calls it himself), such as alternative medicine, nutritionists, and media health scares. Dr. Goldacre explains explains in joyous detail, without becoming pedantic, how proper scientific research should be conducted, what does and does not count as real evidence, and what the most common ‘pitfalls’ are which the public encounters in scientific reporting. Special atte More...

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