Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World

by Michael E. Mann, Peter Hotez

Two of the world’s most respected scientists reveal the forces behind the dangerous anti-science movement—and show us how to fight back

From pandemics to the climate crisis, humanity faces tougher challenges than ever. Whether it’s the health of our people or the health of our planet, we know we are on an unsustainable path. But our efforts to effectively tackle these existential crises are now hampered by a common politically and ideologically motivated opposition to science.

Michael E. Mann and Peter J. Hotez are two of the most respected and well-known scientists in the world and have spent the last twenty years on the front lines of the battle to convey accurate, reliable, and trustworthy information about science in the face of determined and nihilistic opposition.

In this powerful manifesto, they reveal the five main forces threatening plutocrats, pros, petrostates, phonies, and the press. It is a call to arms and a road map for dismantling the forces of anti-science. Armed with the information in this book, we can be empowered to promote scientific truths, shine light on channels of dark money, dismantle the corporations poisoning the planet, and ultimately avert disaster.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Politics, Audiobook, History, Stem, Science Nature

368 pages, Hardcover

Published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[CatReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Michael Mann is an American climatologist and geophysicist at the University of Pennsylvania; he earned his PhD in physics from Yale and has coauthored many influential works on climate change. Peter Hotez is a physician-scientist, professor of pediatrics, and dean for the national school of tropical medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Texas; he earned his MD and PhD degrees from Rockefeller University and Weill Cornell. Both of these scientists have been vocal advocates for crucial causes that are under threat in the current US political climate, including maintaining vaccination guidelines, ensuring forward-thinking policies to mitigate climate change, and preventing scientific disinformation more broadly. Unfortunately, as is the case in the highly polarized, political climate in which we find ourselves in 2025, both men, as well as their loved ones, have been the target of harassment, even death threats. So it understandable that they are angry.

Unfortunately, their 2025 co-written book, Science Under Siege, is not an attempt to find common ground or practice diplomacy. It is a scathing, polarizing, political missive that is unlikely to help win friends and allies, but instead serve to further polarize and anger both likeminded individuals and those opposed, leaving those who don't have strong feelings either way feeling even more confused and unlikely to pick a side. It's a case example of what happens when you try to fight fire with fire, rather than working together to douse the flames and regain clarity (see Frank Bruni's The Age of Grievance).

As a physician and scientist myself, I agree with Mann and Hotez on the importance of addressing climate change, promoting vaccination, and countering medical misinformation, and I have spent the last five years serving on various national committees to advocate for increased biomedical research funds, promoting and protecting ethical research, and lobbying for causes specific to my medical specialty to protect our patients. I have been to Capitol Hill half a dozen times in the last few years, meeting with both Democratic and Republican offices and searching for common ground with everyone, because, like Mann and Hotez state, I don't believe issues like ensuring US research excellence and protecting access to healthcare are partisan issues. I firmly believe that good science policy is an exercise in diplomacy, and solid, productive relationships are built over the long-term through consistent fair and open-minded interactions.

It pains me to rate this book so lowly, but in good conscience I can't recommend this approach.

Further reading: books on countering scientific misinformation I would recommend:
Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children's Health by Adam Ratner, MD
Bad Advice: Or Why Celebrities, Politicians, and Activists Aren't Your Best Source of Health Information by Paul Offit, MD
Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health by Leana Wen, MD
Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway

My statistics:
Book 371 for 2025
Book 2297 cumulatively

[Jack Reidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a retired scientist and in my retirement I am spending a good bit of time on my family history. So I thought it at least somewhat relevant to combine these 2 interests into my review of Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World.

Between 1885 and 1895, my great grandparents had 8 children. Two made it to adulthood. Perhaps a bit worse than many families but the death a child was not uncommon then. It is rare now.

Another way to look at progress in this area is the change in average life expectancy. It was around 47 in 1900, 68 in 1950 and 77 in 2000.

Much of the improvement in both examples is due to science. Science is also important in many way bit I thought child mortality and life expectancy might be of interest.

For those with an economic interest. The consulting firm McKinsey estimates that recent advances in biology could have a “direct economic impact of up to $4 trillion a year”. (https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/l...)


Michael Mann and Peter Hotez are well qualified to write this book. Both are distinguished scientists and both have been targets of those attacking science. These attacks take many forms distortion and fabrication concerning their work and motivations, death threats, and physical confrontations.

Both are also leaders in very important fields – Dr. Mann in the understating of climate change; Dr Hotez is a vaccine scientist concerned with disease prevention and public health. Both are very important field for the future of humanity. Yet there is significant opposition to scientific research in these and other areas.

The authors write about their experiences and that of other scientists. In addition they write extensively about the causes of this anti-science siege. Its causes and potential solutions. The book is important reading for our time.

[Paul Below · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. I had high hopes for this and there is so much good material. For me, I would prefer that they stuck to the science and commissioned a professional writer. It is repetitive, US centric and focussed on the transient - where is Doge now ? COVID was years ago. A pity they couldn't have held finishing the book until the execrable hatchet job of a climate report to the DoE came out. 80 pages of footnotes etc - why pad it out and not stick these on the internet ? Over sure of themselves - indisputable COVID was natural origin. That's the opposite of what the US intelligence agencies think. Money wasn't sent to Wuhan ? But it went expressly to investigate adding a spike protein to a coronavirus. Why did the Chinese hide the records and refuse to co-operate ?. Barrington was all due to fossil fuel. How then did they then corrupt leading Oxford University professors ? Lomberg implied to be in the pocket of the fossil fuel sector but actually received a lot of funding from philanthropist Bill Gates Wind farms don't hurt birds and whales. But they do and have to be designed to minimise damage. Non-vaccine - cites one death from measles. But how many US infants suffer from having been unnecessarily given antibiotics that destroy their biome ? Twitter - who uses Twitter except for TV "celebrities" ? Journalists should have better science training. It's not so much that as they will print any old stuff for headlines and viewings number, doesn't have to be science related. And as for all that Lord of the Rings stuff ! I agree with them on so much and there is much awry in the US which they have helpfully focussed on. But this really could have been so much better

[Mr Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of ‘Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World’ by Michael Mann and Peter Hotez

When two world-class science heavyweights take the time to warn us about scientific endeavour being under attack by bad actors, it is incumbent upon us to listen. Doctors Michael Mann and Peter Hotez have spent much of their professional life being targeted by the political and ideological opposition to science at enormous personal cost and this book serves as a both a warning and a call to arms to recognise and fight against the orchestrated disinformation efforts of those who would focus on short- term profits over the threats to human life. In this very timely book, the authors identify the five forces that fuel this antiscience narrative. “In Science Under Siege we seek to provide a succinct yet detailed delineation of the five forces behind the modern-day antiscience movement (the five p’s, we’ll call them- the plutocrats, the petrostates, the pros, the propagandists, and our press).”

The authors stress that it is vital that these forces are recognised for what they are and that we do not allow them to fan the flames of division, especially at a time when our way of life is threatened by the twin crises of global pandemics and the climate crisis.
“The future of humankind and the health of our planet now depend on surmounting the dark forces of antiscience.” The disinformation tactics of attempting to isolate an individual scientist to discredit them can be seen as an attempt to quell the pursuit of science among younger generations, who then see science as a career where you are derided and reviled, rather than the industry of respect that it was in the latter part of the 20th century. Indeed, the authors go further here, and note the silence from the scientific community when one of them comes under repeated and targeted attack. The silence of friends- fearful of their own career reputation, or personal attack, can be a useful tool to isolate and ‘gag’ scientists.
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” So far, the silence has- in some instances, been deafening.”

Mann and Hotez argue that, “Mistrust in science is now escalating in certain demographics because of a targeted campaign against us- antiscience predation for someone else’s financial or political gain.” Instead of being seen as a significant social wedge issue, the attack on science to seed and sow state-sponsored disinformation, becomes a means of destabilising democratic societies around the world.

Mann and Hotez remind their readers that the fossil-fuel industry has been well aware of the dangers of the climate threat for almost 50 years and highlight that the delaying obstacles and challenges to government action are not physical or technological- but rather that they are entirely political. The ideological motivated efforts to deny the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic more recently follow this same pattern of political division and delay- sadly with human lives hanging in the balance.
“Meanwhile, the world’s largest fossil-fuel companies already understood the climate threat. In an internal report from 1982 that was eventually leaked into the public domain, ExxonMobil’s own scientists accurately predicted the increase in CO₂ concentrations and warming that would occur today in the absence of efforts to curtail fossil-fuel burning.”

Mann and Hotez make the repeated argument that we do not have to be passive receivers of this well-funded campaign of antiscience, but that by ‘knowing our enemy’, we can become armed into neutralising this threat and that metaphorically, sunlight can be the best disinfectant to this highly organised dangerous ideology.
“While there is urgency- unlike any we’ve ever known- there is still agency. We can still avert disaster if we can understand the nature of the mounting antiscience threat and formulate a strategy to counter it.”

A Candle in the Dark

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”- Albus Dumbledore.
The authors then begin to turn the spotlight onto each of the 5 ‘ps’ in turn, those oftentimes defenders of the powerful special interests and political agendas which actively promote anti-science as their repeated mantra for their own culture wars. They begin with the plutocrats, where power is held and controlled by a small minority of high-net-worth individuals and name them as malevolent players. Names which are familiar to us, such as the Koch family, Rupert Murdoch, Zuckerberg, Musk and Bill Gates. The point is made that “Today’s malevolent plutocrats frequently operate through a complicated web of entities as they wage war against science and scientists” and note that this ‘dark money’ can be difficult to follow and its users are protected by accountability. The impact of the Koch family casts a long shadow. “Koch Industries is the world’s largest privately held fossil-fuel company, with an obvious financial interest in fossil fuels.” The importance of funding for the disinformation campaign has led to bad actors appearing ‘untouchable’ and appearing to have a disproportionate amount of power.
“Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, the tech bro of tech bros and cryptobro of cryptobros, has become a leading spreader of disinformation writ large.” As a result of the distractions and delay caused by these plutocrats, the necessary government action has effectively been nullified. When Musk bought Twitter, he then “converted Twitter into a forum for far-right extremism…which in turn, led to “[t]he evaporation of science from platforms like Twitter launched an exodus of science from the public conversation.” When there is a vacuum of communication, with scientists forced out by trolls and bot armies, only one narrative remains powerful, which sets humanity back decades. Very recently, we have seen the return of some climate scientists to this platform- scientists unwilling to yield large amounts of online space to bad actors for free. This might be the start of a reclamation of the space by the science community, which would be welcome, as it has left those remaining active voices very marginalised.

Who is standing up for science?

In the fight to discredit accurate and robust science communication, plutocrats can merge with another ‘p group’- that of the petrostate. “Petrostates are often run by dictators, plutocrats, and oligarchs who acquire political or economic power (often without accountability) through the wealth they derive from extractive industries.” Some petrostates are more well known than others, but there are commonalities- one of which is to choose not to lead on any concerted global action on climate, but to remain firmly in delaying action for as long as possible. Mann and Hotez understandably focus on events in the United States and ‘the American petrostate’ and are persuasive in their arguments that politics is not only divisive- it is deadly. “There is unquestionably, a coordinated, concerted attack on science by today’s Republican Party- the American petrostate, if you will- with climate and biomedicine as focal points of the assault.” There has been a long game strategy played by the fossil-fuel industry, to slowly move their policy makers into position, even if this takes years and decades- but now they are in place. “During the 1990s the fossil-fuel industry began to invest heavily in conservative policy groups, think tanks, and front groups advocating policies friendly to the fossil-fuel industry. Meanwhile, they funded conservative climate-denying politicians, most of who were from oil states.”

With President Trump’s second term as President, the attack on science has become more vitriolic and dangerous on a global scale. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has faced significant cuts, seen by many to be a malicious attack on climate science and climate partnership with other leading organisations. More recently, the Department of Energy published a report claiming scientific concern about the climate crisis is overblown and exaggerated. A hand-picked team of science contrarians were selected for this report, which was viewed as an attempt to replace legitimate science with pseudoscience and has been fact checked for misinformation. The respectable Carbon Brief organisation, counted more than 100 false or misleading scientific claims contained within this report. In the authors’ minds then, it is clear that this is just the latest in the concerted attack on science.“There is unquestionably, a coordinated, concerted attack on science by today’s Republican Party- the American petrostate, if you will- with climate and biomedicine as focal points of the assault.”
The authors powerfully argue that the end result is to halt science progress in the United States and then by extension, hold back meaningful global action on climate- at the least, disrupt any action. This chapter ends, and indeed this argument ends, by ‘calling out’ the political attack on science.
“The fact that antiscience has been embraced so fully by one of the two major parties in the United States is grave cause for concern.”

Pros and propagandists

Mann and Hotez next focus on the twins of ‘pros’ and ‘propagandists’- figures with huge social media presence who regularly appear as ‘experts’ on media platforms touting for the fossil-fuel industry. “Pros include individuals with scientific credentials who have been financially lured by polluters and plutocrats and weaponized into a force to attack mainstream science and scientists. There are also the paid propagandists with no scientific credentials but plenty of media savvy and access to wide platforms.” These players are linked to the science-denial machine and appear to be free from the same funding scrutiny that is applied by them to the science community and to science communicators. Dissemination of misinformation now reaches tens of millions of people, through the power of social media, with platforms taking little to no responsibility for the toxic content of propagandists. “The propagandists now benefit from the extraordinary amplifying power of social media, including a Musk-weaponized Twitter, disinformation podcasts with huge reaches, and now most recently, AI. Slowing or stopping them is a complicated endeavor that requires disrupting their weapon of choice, antisocial media and other high-visibility disinformation-promoting vehicles.”

However, Mann and Hotez highlight that the playbook of antiscience has shifted now that the impact of climate change has become too obvious to deny outright. “Climate denial is untenable today with the vast majority of our population because they are witnessing profound impacts already playing out…They have instead largely turned to other tactics- delay, deflection, division, and so forth.” The resurgent weapon of choice is now the use of conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories run rampant and there is an overlapping Venn diagram of anti-vaccine posters and anti-climate science posts online, which are amplified disproportionately to create the impression that they are the majority. This would come to no surprise to the average online user- even sheltered in their own echo chambers. Online trolls and misinformation impacts all of us and with algorithms constantly pushing targeted material onto us all, it can be difficult to take the time to sift through the overwhelming quantity of media information.

The partisan press?

There has been a manufactured campaign against the media, with partisan media groups gaining access and those promoting science being sidelined, especially by US politicians, with President Trump famously demonising news outlets as being ‘fake news’. We are all aware that press outlets will cater to their target audience and that how the public consumes their news is very different from a world of even 20 years ago. Capturing attention and holding the attention of the public has become the sensationalised strategy, rather than a ‘golden age’ quest for truth. The press undoubtedly have a part to play in good science communication, though as an industry, they appear to be excoriated by Mann and Hotez. “The press, as we have already seen, has engaged in widespread attacks on both science and scientists. Beyond the usual suspects- Fox News, the rest of the Murdoch media empire and other conservative media- even mainstream outlets like the New York Times have in recent years miscommunicated the science behind climate change and COVID.” They argue that creating the false equivalence between robust science and conspiracy theories and allowing “bothsideism” has built the illusion of equal weight to competing arguments. They are clear that there are some networks which act deliberately to attack science, while others can sometimes act unwittingly to create ‘doomist narratives’ that misrepresent the science, whether this is regarding the climate or global pandemics. The concern of the authors is that the framing of science stories can lead to the support and promotion of untested technological ‘silver bullets’, most of which allow for ‘business as usual’ for the fossil- fuel industry. “How doomist framing has led to support for potentially dangerous geoengineering schemes as desperation measures.”

“Fellowship of the Planet”

Mann and Hotez then lay out their ‘battle plan’ to push back against the tide of antiscience, arguing, “We need to restore the rightful role of science in our political and societal discourse if we are to maintain the capacity to address the major challenges we face, including the climate crisis and worsening pandemics.”
They acknowledge that ‘the hour is late’ for a new found faith in science, but argue that as we can see the actions of the ‘antiscience industry’ in delaying meaningful action, are we just going to allow them to destroy our way of life without putting up a fight? “We wish that humanity had followed a more enlightened path decades ago when the climate crisis had clearly emerged, or back in 2020 when we were given a golden opportunity to implement pandemic policies- guided by the best available science- to ensure the health of both our species and our planet.”
Mann and Hotez urge that by: communicating constructively; defeating disinformation; and supporting scientists, we can be led in our actions, not by partisan politics, but by the best scientific understanding at this given point.

Mann and Hotez close their book by referring to the powerful story and imagery of “The Lord of the Rings”. They connect with the repeated analogy of the industrial fossil-fuel furnace rooms of Sauron and Saruman, and offer the stark warning that if we don't act, then we risk losing ‘The Shire’. [I]f humanity fails to combat the great global crises we face today, there won’t be an Earth- at least not the one we’d recognize. Yes, there will still be a large spherical planet rotating around the sun. There will be life, but we will lose the welcoming planetary home we know today, with its rich forests and oceans and ecosystems teeming with diverse, interconnected life forms.”

Science disinformation is a plague which threatens to destabilise us all. We must make a stand, to push forwards. To say that we will take the first step against the forces of disinformation, even if we ‘do not know the way’, and even if we do not know how that story finishes. We know the ending of the story if the fossil-fuel industry and anti-pandemic responses continue their stranglehold on science education, policy and action. We don't know the ending if we fight for a pro- science tipping point, but we do know that if the fossil- fuel industry and agents of geoengineering miracles come for us, then we must be doing something right.

“We fight for a livable planet, for us, our children, and future generations. Because it’s worth fighting for.”

[Diana Biggs · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want a diatribe about petrochemical and big tech, this is it. I absolutely agree that science is under siege but this book didn't give me the tools to fight disinformation that I thought it would.

[Tom Concannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

In one of the most important books of our time, Mann and Hotez provide not only the dire warnings of how the forces of antiscience pose grave danger to us all, but also who the primary sources are and potential solutions for overcoming and vanquishing this present darkness.They write together seamlessly about their own battles, where Mann has fought the powerful global warming denialist factions and Hotez battled the equally pernicious antivax movement. Both have received death threats for supporting and defending science, which is absolutely appalling in our seemingly enlightened age. Mann and Hotez write with passionate prose and distill scientific information with ease. If I could recommend just one book everyone should read during this new Dark Age upon us, it would be this book. It will also help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. Lux et Veritas!!

[Stephen A. Saker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for those who care about our planet

Mann and Hotez describe in stark, powerful terms the forces of anti-science and disinformation who are conspiring to undermine two realities: that human-caused climate change is making our planet hotter, more dangerous and in some areas plain unlivable and that vaccines (and medical science more generally) have been an incredible life saving tool for over 200 years.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Essential, Important Book on the War Against Science in The United States

Much to their credit, two noted scientists, climatologist Michael Mann and pediatrician - and vaccine inventor - Peter Hotez, have written one of the most important books of our time, "Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces That Threaten Our World". A book that deserves wide readership, especially from those who are fellow Republicans, who fail to understand the ongoing war against science being done by the Trump administration and its supporters within the MAGA/MAHA movement led by those, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who have consistently failed to accept valid, mainstream science for years. It is an important primer on science denialism, drawn upon the personal experiences of the authors, that should be read and followed by many, especially those who may be skeptical of what both have written. A book that should be as well regarded as Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway's 'The Merchants of Doubt", and one just as important, worthy of comparison not only with their exceptional book, but, more recently with David Lipsky's masterful overview of the history of climate change denialism, "The Parrot and The Igloo".

Both eminent scientists are from similar backgrounds, descended from Jewish immigrants who emigrated to the United States many years ago. What is especially troubling reading "Science Under Siege" is noting how both have fallen victim to antisemitic attacks upon themselves and their families, with those attacking them seeking to cast doubt on their superlative scientific and medical research - in Hotez's case - due to their Jewish heritage. This is uneasily similar to attacks upon "Jewish science" that were waged by antisemites not only in Germany, but also in Russia, during the 20th Century. Especially worrisome is the evidence they present in this book which shows ties between anti-science groups and those that are antisemitic. This especially disturbing trend is one that many may have failed to realize was occurring in the democratic republic that is the United States, welcoming for decades many diverse ethnicities and religious faiths from across the globe.

Mann and Hotez identify five major reasons - "the powerful forces" - which have nurtured and sustained anti-science advocates and organizations, not only here in the United States, but elsewhere across the globe, devoting separate chapters for each of them; the Plutocrats, the Petrostates, the Pros, the Propagandists, and the Press. The Plutocrats are the wealthy industrialists and philanthropists who have amassed vast fortunes, too often using their wealth and access to politicians and media to stage repeated attacks upon eminent scientists such as Mann and Hotez. The Petrostates are those governments who have been sympathetic to anti-science views, not only especially in the oil-rich Middle East, but, of special importance, historically, Russia given the growth of Lysenkoism during the Soviet Union dictatorial regime of Joseph Stalin, but also, even here in the United States, with one political party, the Republican Party, becoming too closely identified with anti-science advocates and organizations supportive of opposing climate change and promoting vaccine denialism. The Pros are so-called "experts" - both those outside of the scientific and medical communities as well as some who are professional scientists and doctors who have lent their support, even led, antiscientific movements. The Propagandists are those who have led - or hold key positions in - antiscientific movements, like podcaster Joe Rogan, author Naomi Wolf and antivaccine and wellness advocate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. What is especially surprising is that Mann and Hotez have identified The Press as the fifth member of this unholy alliance of anti-science players, but their criticisms of right-wing media, especially Fox News are too often accurate and to the point, especially with regards to climate change denialism and the rise of antivaxx advocacy in response to COVID mandates earlier in this decade.

Is there any expectation of hope, that the ongoing battle of anti-science could be won eventually? In a final chapter, "The Path Forward", Mann and Hotez offer us a framework, a well-considered pathway, to deal with the anti-science forces that are attacking not only the reality of man-made climate change, and the threat posed by future pandemics due to the aggressive conduct of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other antivaxx science denialists, but even the reality of some basic, critical parts of science, starting with evolutionary biology. Mann and Hotez emphasize the importance of encouraging scientists to become better communicators, especially those early in their careers, using training provided by organizations such as Mann's Penn Center for Science. Sustainability, and the Media. They stress the importance of adding science communication as part of graduate training for potential scientists in graduate programs. Mann and Hotez stress the importance of supporting those journalists willing and able to learn the relevant science and report accurately on science and medicine. They also insist that science journalists must assume the responsibility of condemning their colleagues who are attacking individual scientists like Mann and Hotez.

Both emphasize the importance of "Defeating Disinformation". As a long-time member of the National Center for Science Education (www.ncse.ngo), I was pleasantly surprised to see them praise NCSE's ongoing efforts in defeating disinformation with regards to the realities of both man-made climate change and biological evolution, going on the offense to attack those who disseminate "disinformation" as well as training educators to defeat it in the schools where they teach. (Mann has been an important, quite influential, member of NCSE's board of directors; as a loyal member, I greatly appreciate his dedication and hard work.) They also emphasize the need to go after "dark money" to find out who is supporting financially those individuals and organizations which are working zealously to promote disinformation. They also urge the public to use the power of the purse, insofar as not supporting those who are supporting - or willing to ignore - disinformation, which is exactly what I have done prior to reading this book by refusing to purchase copies of The New York Post, since it published on July 26, 2025, an Op-Ed piece written by Discovery Institute Intelligent Design creationist Casey Luskin, Deputy Director, Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture - the "think tank of Intelligent Design creationism" - condemning the Smithsonian Institution for not making changes to its Human Evolution exhibition, lying and deceiving the public about "errors" in the exhibition - including falsifying published scientific data - which several biologists, including a Ph. D. student and CUNY biologist Dr. Nathan Lents had recognized independently of each other just days before the publication of Luskin's NY Post piece. (I have called upon The New York Post to apologize, to retract Luskin's piece and to allow Professor Lents to publish an Op-Ed piece pointing out Luskin's lies and deceit, but unfortunately, the Post has ignored my demands.)

"Science Under Siege" will be remembered as one of the most important books ever published on scientific disinformation and how to combat it. It is a timely, important, book that should be read by a large audience, especially by those who are fellow Republicans and Conservatives who remain sympathetic to the anti-science views expressed by those individuals and organizations within their political spectrum who reject well-established science such as man-made climate change, vaccinations and the reality of biological evolution. Without question, "Science Under Siege" should be seen as among the most important - and hopefully most influential - books published not only this year, but also, this decade.

(I am indebted to Professor Mann's publicist and Public Affairs for providing me with a review copy.)

[Michael Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well outlined call to action revealing the bad actors driving an anti-science agenda against some of the largest threats we face, notably climate change and pandemics. Authors and scientists Michael Mann and Peter Hotez describe their own stories of threat and intimidation while listing ways we can fight back to restore faith in science and ultimately a safe and habitable planet.

[Ryan Boissonneault · Rating 4 out of 5]

As if it weren’t bad enough that we face the existential challenges of climate change and pandemics—which will likely increase in frequency and severity due to climate change—but that we, at the same time, must battle the forces of antiscience that exacerbate those very problems—and are even bringing back once-eliminated diseases like measles.

Taking on these forces is the unenviable task taken up by two of the world’s leading scientists: Michael E. Mann, climatologist and geophysicist, and Peter J. Hotez, scientist, physician, and Director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and Endowed Chair in Tropical Pediatrics.

In between advancing human knowledge and developing life-saving vaccinations for the least privileged, Mann and Hotez have been fighting a decades-long rearguard battle against nonspecialist ignoramuses who sow scientific doubt purely for political and financial gain. What they’ve learned along the way about this well-funded antiscience movement—and how to fight back—is presented in this book.

In a nutshell, here’s the problem: Starting at the top, insanely wealthy plutocrats and state actors that stand to lose billions from climate and pandemic responses fund campaigns, political and scientific, that challenge established, consensus science so that collective inaction allows their businesses to operate unimpeded and without consequence. Because they are so well-funded—examples being the Koch brothers, Elon Musk, and Rupert Murdoch—they can essentially bribe venial politicians and scientists (always a slim minority) to cast doubt on scientific findings they don’t like. They then rely on idiotic influencers and, in some cases, the mainstream media itself, to amplify the pseudoscience into general acceptance among the population at large.

These are the “five forces” outlined in the book: plutocrats, petrostates, pros, phonies, and the press (I would add the populace and public education, but more on that later). You will learn exactly who is funding antiscience propaganda, exactly who it benefits and how, all the methods by which false information is amplified, and, also, as if by second thought, what the science actually says about climate change, infectious disease, and vaccination.

Don’t be surprised if you become annoyed at the fact that we shouldn’t even need to be discussing any of this. Idiotic politicians and plutocrats set the agenda about what we talk about so that we never get around to having serious conversations about solutions to real issues, because any kind or response to climate or public health emergencies necessarily places restrictions on business activity. The incentives here are so obvious and against the public’s interest that it hardly seems necessary that we even need a book to explain it.

But we do, clearly, because right-wing propaganda is so effective that the average person knows nothing about its origins, motivations, or methods. One such method, highlighted by the authors, is the tendency of the right to preemptively accuse the other side of that which it itself is guilty. So when Hotez works on developing low-cost or free hookworm-anemia vaccines for the poorest people in Africa, the right incoherently attacks him for prioritizing financial gain when it’s clearly they who want unimpeded and limitless power and profits. Propaganda lesson number one: divert attention away from the real problem so no one looks too closely at you.

The authors do a phenomenal job of listing the five forces of the antiscience movement and their methods. But they miss a sixth, maybe even seventh, element: the populace and public education. We should remember that all the propaganda in the world wouldn’t work on an educated population. So those that repeatedly fall for conspiracy theories shoulder much of the blame, as do our public schools that fail to teach the appropriate skills in critical thinking, philosophy, media literacy, and the scientific method. The authors don’t sufficiently touch on these areas, but they do note how conspiracy theories overwhelmingly target the least educated.

And that brings me to my biggest criticism of the book. Hotez had previously declined a debate with RFK Jr. on the Joe Rogan podcast, under the rationale that vaccine-skeptics with no actual credentials should not be legitimated. But this runs counter to the point the authors make in the book that scientists need to be more visible and do a better job communicating to the public.

Yes, it’s true that RFK has no business debating scientists and that the playing field is not equal. But the people that know this are not the listeners of the Joe Rogan podcast. And that’s the point; you’re not educating the general public by submitting academic papers and speaking at scientific conferences. Or by appearing on CNN. You convince the people you really need to be convincing by appearing on the platforms they pay attention to. For most vaccine skeptics, that means right-wing media, and you need to debate right-wing propagandists, whether you like it or not.

Just as when Jordan Peterson gets embarrassed when debating atheists, I’m sure RFK would likewise get shown up when discussing a topic he has no credentials in or understanding of with a real expert. The worst case scenario is that Rogan’s listeners won’t change their mind after the debate, but they certainly won’t without the debate, either. If he had debated him, the best-case scenario is that Hotez wins over a few listeners with the capacity to follow an argument and the evidence.

If the authors want to win the war on antiscience, they must be willing to take on its most prominent voices, even if those voices lack respectability. And they always will lack respectability, because otherwise they wouldn’t represent anti-scientific opposition. This doesn’t mean you have to debate every science-denier you encounter, but the most prominent ones cannot be ignored.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance reader copy.

[Alexander Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of America's preeminent scientists have written a book together on the current assault on science. With multitudes of cited sources and footnotes, each allegation is carefully analyzed. The bad actors who attack science and scientists are the anti-heroes of this book. The perversion of the commercial press, the lies of the professional experts. The expertise of the propagandists-attacking everyone and everything on social media 24/7. The big powers of Petrostates and Plutocrats desperately trying to hold on to their power and money, in the face of scientific evidence that their activities are harming all people and the planet.

I enjoyed this melding of the minds. The obvious friendship and fruitful collaboration of these two guys. This book is well written, and gives a balanced overview of climate science and vaccine science. The issues, obstacles and dangers facing scientists today.

[Peter A · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

An extremely timely book, strong on outlining and documenting the antiscience forces in the US, but thin on what we can do. One clear message is: We have agency and we must not give into doom.

Since January 2025, when Trump returned to the White House, he has wielded his power to attack intellectuals, as other autocrats in other countries have done. Anyone who could provide data to oppose his views, anyone who offered opinions different from his, is suspects. Universities are home to many ideas, and under the false flag of antisemitism has been attacking those institutions.

The lever he holds is funding, which through DOGE and his animus he has targeted at science (among other issues).

But his attack is the most recent and blatant effort to discredit, deny, and undermine the science of two topics: climate change and pandemics.

The two authors, well-respected scientists in their areas (Mann-climate change; Hotez-infectious disease), have produced a timely book that outlines five threats to attempts to protect mankind in these areas: The
• Plutocrats: wealthy individuals who can funnel money or vitriol against their foes, think Elon Musk;
• Petrostates: states or countries whose economy depends heavily on fossil fuels or carbon extraction, or more generally natural resource extraction, think Russia (but this is not alone)
• Pros: those individuals who generate tangible disinformation content of deliverables and are legitimized by their professional reputation — again, think Musk;
• Propagandists: disseminators of disinformation, think Alex Jones;
• Press: news outlets that spread disinformation, think Fox News, Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, or mis-communicated science. One particular issue is the “false equivalency” many mainstream media outlets (e.g., NYT) give to both sides of the issue, even if there is no other side. Imagine a presentation of the round-earth fact versus the flat-earth opinion.

There are chapters on each of these threats. The final chapter talks about “The Path Forward.” While this final chapter outlines a strategy for combating the antiscience forces, implementation is thin, and as the authors note, more aspirational with Republicans, the antiscience party, controlling both Houses and the presidency.

They readily share their and many colleague’s efforts to counter these efforts, and the personal cost to their personal and professional lives.

They also make a compelling case of Russia’s role in the disinformation campaign and in the corrupting of the legislative and even judicial branches of our (US) government.

But the authors remind us that we do have agency, as individuals, as collections of individuals, to help counter these efforts, some with technical skills, e.g., the Climate Science Legal Defense Fund. “The CSLDF supports climate scientist who are threatened with legal action over their scientific work or subject to frivolous and vexatious open-records and FOIA demands, the only intensions of which are to harass and humiliate them and find grist for the right-wing smear mill.” (p 234)

It almost seems we need a 2030 Project to counterbalance the 2025 project that is the current wrecking ball on US leadership and government.

The final chapter is framed in the lore of The Lord of the Rings, with the clear villains (antiscience forces discussed in the previous five chapters) versus the hobbits that trudge on, never giving up faith, since it is “the good fight.” In fact, one of the biggest issues is the discouragement that many of us feel. But if we give in to that, these forces have won.

That said, another perspective was offered in an opinion piece by Ella Al-Shamahi in the Washington Post (2025.09.29), “I’m a former creationist. Here’s why ‘follow the science’ failed.” In our polarized world, we have become members of tribes. That provides us with strength. But to change our thinking, different from the tribe, is extremely difficult. It requires more than “follow the science,” and certainly more than denigration or condescension. It requires scientists being seen as human (mentioned in the book, but this opinion piece helps give us a why it is hard to change position).

There is a reading challenge associated with this book.

On the one hand, the writing is clear, the examples compelling.

They make transparent the economic motivation for each of these threats, e.g., people getting rich on fossil fuels want that to continue; and there is a huge industry of unregulated supplements and wellness treatments that benefit from doubt about vaccines.

They also show how groups use fear to sow distrust and despair in segments of the population, relating some efforts to save energy or requiring vaccinations to losing personal freedom or worse, incarceration. They also describe the harassment they and colleagues have faced, not just legal challenges but also physical stalking incidents.

On the other hand, there is redundancy in what they write (and they admit this). But more importantly, their book funnels much of the hatred and vitriol spewed at them and their colleagues at the reader. It is hard to read too much at one time.


FB. In short, the book’s strengths include outlining the array of forces aligned against science, documenting these assertions, and naming clearly those people or agencies that oppose science (e.g., to protect vested or financial interests). It falls short on specifics. But the authors ask us to use the agency we have (e.g., vote) and not to lose faith.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this eye-opening book “Science Under Siege” as an illuminating tonic for these unprecedented times, marked by the climate crisis, global pandemics, and the nefarious rise of anti-science disinformation campaigns which threaten the implementation of science-led solutions to these existential emergencies. Thankfully, Drs. Michael Mann and Peter Hotez, two world renown scientists, shed light on how the immensely organized right-wing anti-science movement hinders collective efforts to respond to the dual reinforcing drivers of monumental societal risk: climate change and global pandemics. Climate change impacts human health from the rise of heat-related illnesses, to air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels, and the accelerated spread of infectious diseases made more mobile by rising global temperatures.

In their very public roles as academics and scientists, Dr. M. Mann as an eminent climate scientist, and Dr. P. Hotez as a world respected medical doctor and leading vaccine developer, share their experiences on fighting the orchestrated “weaponization” of science, and provide a roadmap on what needs to be done to overcome the crippling power of disinformation – first we need to expose it for what it is – the efforts of special interest groups, like the fossil industry, and the health and wellness marketplace, to remain profitable.

Both write about their experience of being attacked personally by extreme U.S. Senate and House members, media outlets, high profile plutocrats and a league of anti-science activists. With over two decades of defending scientific findings from right-wing efforts to divide and disengage the public, the authors outline how the anti-science eco-system operates: they name the bad actors (and provide evidence and examples), and clearly demonstrate throughout this “call to arms” how these organizations and groups collude with each other to disseminate disinformation, and to manufacture a general “distrust” of science in both right-wing and mainstream media, and throughout social media platforms that promote it with anti-science algorithms.

To aid readers' understanding of this pro-fossil fuel/health and wellness industry movement, the authors outline five principal forces that simultaneously threaten science and scientific institutions, which form part of the pillars of our democracies. They are:

• The Plutocrats: “a group of billionaires who finance the antiscience empire.” These include: Elon Musk, the Koch Brother(s), Rupert Murdoch and the tech bros – who gained wealth through high-tech computer industries. They operate through a web of entities, such as political action campaigns, lobbyists, libertarian think tanks, conservative colleges, some universities, media empires and social media platforms.

• The Petrostates: “state actors of nations typically propped up by extractive industries” including fossil fuels and they are aided by politicians who legislate on their behalf. Examples include Russia, Saudi Arabia and USA, under the current administration.

• The professionals (“pros”): “who provide many of the key disinformative talking points or content.” They include credentialed “experts” who are hired by right-wing agencies to promote an anti-science, contrarian agenda, in order to manufacture doubt among the public.

• The propagandists: “who work hand in glove with the pros.” These comprise “Influencers” that mouth the messages of the anti-science pros and plutocrats on blogs, podcasts and all over social media.

• The press: which includes both conservative and mainstream media “who push dangerous false equivalences to provide legitimacy to antiscience extremists” and activists. This works to undermine the “objective truths” resulting from the scientific process, which includes the peer review process that validates scientific conclusions as being valid and reliable. The press is also responsible for providing legitimacy to various conspiracy theories which create doubt about reality, and objective truths. This works to undermine democracy because the public lacks trust in experts, as well as truth-based agencies and institutions, like governments and scientific research institutes.


This book is like a guidebook on how to understood how the disinformation machine functions. It contains vast evidence on these negatively-influential groups’ strategies and tactics to manipulate the public at large, with the sole aim being to sow doubt and distrust of science and scientists. While the anti-science movement no longer outright denies the existence of climate change or the usefulness of vaccines, it casts doubt on the solutions to climate change, and it can persuade less astute people to question the safety of vaccines. But why? Dr. Mann argues that the anti-science bad actors want the public to doubt climate science because keeps the fossil fuel industry in business, and the health and wellness industry as a seemingly viable alternative to the vaccine hesitant. To fight the anti-science movement, the authors offer three strategies to counter anti-democratic disinformation campaigns: communicating constructively; defeating disinformation; and supporting scientists. The truth, once unmasked can guide our actions with the best that science has to offer. With the power of science we can overcome the dual crises of climate change and global pandemics.

[Pamela Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

A guide to intelligence

This book describes our current purchased leader. In America, money is king. Washington was an oligarch and it will never stop.

[B.P. Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Review for Tasmanian Times]

Co-authors of Science Under Siege, Michael Mann, an atmospheric scientist, and Peter Hotez, professor of tropical medicine, paediatrics, virology and microbiology, are two of world’s lauded and awarded scientists - and every day they face death threats and campaigns that vilify them. They’re defiant, but they struggle, not least because they’ve been dragged into the biggest war in human history - the war on science.
Science across the world is being demonised, defunded and driven to the margins because it questions assumptions and accepted truths. Those attacking science prefer unquestioning faith, fear and loyalty to obtain profit and power.
Mann and Hotez aren’t using the term ‘war’ as a metaphor for the cultural struggle between rationality and pseudoscience – or between science and conspiracy theories. They mean it literally, and the terrifying thing about Science Under Siege is how well the corporate and state actors waging the war on science are doing. Disinformation, destabilisation and political control are the weapons, and ordinary people are both the enemy and the unwitting proxies of those funding and directing the war.
In totalitarian countries, scientists who say the wrong thing are threatened, jailed or killed. In democracies, scientists are being gagged or don’t dare speak for fear of funding cuts or, in some cases, death threats. Universities are increasingly less a place of enlightenment than a corporate business model to extract money for degrees. Politicians on the far Right openly promote conspiracy theories and wield anti-science agendas for ideological and pragmatic self-interest – donations and votes. Media owned by billionaires creates, promotes and monetises outrage, doubt and hate based on anti-science conspiracy theories. Even relatively independent media like our ABC is cowed by constant attacks from Murdoch’s Newscorp and politicians who loathe being held to account. Social media ranges from authentic, useful and enlightening to cynical grifting for clicks and cash – and disinformation brings both.
In the US, Steve Bannon’s mantra ‘flood the zone with shit’* (produce a constant PR output of lies, half-truths and nonsense that sparks outrage, confusion and anger) is being used as an effective strategy pushing the Project 2025 agenda through to completion.
Project 2025, written and funded by far-Right US libertarian and authoritarian billionaires, is being fulfilled by the Trump administration. Every day another agency designed to protect health or the environment is axed, and qualified staff and leaders are sacked and replaced by disinformation-promoting and sycophantic Trump loyalists – all on the false premise that vaccines kill and climate change is a hoax.
Science Under Siege reveals the allies who run the war on science – the billionaires, the petrostates (nations like Russia, Australia and Saudi Arabia who depend on fossil fuel sales), the credentialled cranks (eg. Ian Plimer), the influencers and bot armies, and corporate media (eg. US-based Newscorp) – and how they run it and why.
The war on science isn’t in the media, but it clearly explains inaction on climate and plummeting immunisation rates. Most of us are either oblivious, or drowning in disinformation, or despairing. Mann and Hotez urge us to fight, to call out disinformation wherever and whenever it occurs, and to never give up. The planet, and the fate of our species depends on it.
This is a critical look beyond the headlines of our failing media at what’s really driving those headlines, and our rotten politics. Essential reading.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

****.5

Extremely timely and important. But despite the "world" in the title, the discussion is almost entirely US-centric, under the stated [but not substantiated] assumption that if the US doesn't lead the rest of the world won't have anyone to follow.

The focus is also entirely on the two areas of expertise of the authors - climate change and pandemics. They allude to but don't really focus on the more general anti-education and anti-intellectualism that underlies a lot of the problems they discuss. Until those are addressed, the proposed solutions in the book have little chance of succeeding.

The other problem with being so timely is that in a year or three large parts of the book will be obsolete. There is so much focus on the current presidential administration and republican-led Congress, that won't be relevant for very long. For instance, they have a lot of bad things to say about elon musk and DOGE, which were the major headlines when the book was written, but less than a year later it almost seems like ancient history. Even more so for their in-depth griping about Fox news attacking Anthony Fauci.

Still, the analysis is mostly sound, and they offer some concrete steps on how to combat the threats. Climate change isn't going away, and it's just a question of time before the next pandemic hits. And it's not like the plutocrats or anti-vaxxers or climate deniers are going away anytime soon, so we need to be as well-informed and as well-armed as possible, and this book is a good tool in the arsenal on all of those fronts.

[Joseph O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a timely and important book. The authors are scientists, Mann a climate scientist and Hotez a medical researcher, who use their personal experiences being attacked to introduce the bigger campaign to undermine science.

It is not a science book. It is an exposé of the who, what, and why of the attacks on science, the research institutions, and scientists themselves. It is well organized and easy to follow. By contrast, the campaign against science is by design hidden. The book avoids coming across as conspiratorial by logically laying out what is happening.

It explains there are individuals, organizations, and nation states opposed to regulation, and who seek to erode trust in climate science to delay or block political action. They are sophisticated actors who are well-connected politically and experienced with the use of social media to sway public opinion. Their wealth gives them to access some of these control mechanisms. Through networking efforts common in business and political circles they coordinate their work to attack science.

The tactics used against climate science were adapted against vaccine science. In this case the idea of sowing political division was particularly important to not just erode trust in science and regulation but to weaken governments and democracy.

The book is light on solutions, but it emphasizes talking to people and pushes that for things to change we need to get out the vote then vote for politicians who support science.

[It's.about.the.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

Science Under Siege is an incredibly relevant and timely book, especially given the current state of the world. Written by two highly respected and experienced scientists, Michael Mann and Peter Hotez—both of whom have experienced firsthand the rewards and challenges of their positions. This book offers a clear and compelling examination of the forces driving modern day antiscience movements (plutocrats, petrostates, pros, propagandists, and the press) and how each contributes to the erosion of public trust in science. The writing is deceptively simple and conversational, reading more like an engaging lecture. While I fully agree with the authors’ arguments, I do feel it maybe "preaching to the converted,” considering those inclined to read it are unlikely to be climate change deniers, antivaxxers, or general opponents of science. Furthermore, although their recommendations for countering antiscience sentiment are inspiring, some may seem difficult to achieve—especially in the face of figures like Trump and his allies returning to positions of influence. Nevertheless, Science Under Siege is an important and thought-provoking read that sheds light on one of the most pressing issues of our time. Highly recommended.

[Chris Boutté · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an insane amount of books about the spread of misinformation and how people are becoming less and less scientifically literate. So, when I come across a book like this, I’m always trying to see if it offers anything new for the conversation. Did this one do that? Meh. Kind of?

Michael Mann and Peter Hotez are two leading scientists, and I remember learning about Peter during the height of COVID. They discuss various topics like the anti-vax movement, climate change denial, conspiracy theorists, and much more. The primary thing they bring to the table that’s somewhat different is that they’ve both been brutally harassed online and threatened constantly just for speaking the truth about all these issues.

If you enjoy reading about this stuff and want to better understand science and how we’re in a lot of trouble because of all the misinformation and crazies out there, you’ll enjoy this book. I learned a few new things, but it didn’t “wow” me. If you don’t regularly read books like this, you’ll probably learn a ton.

[Ralph B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scientists Peter Hotez (virology and microbiology and Michael Mann (earth and environmental science) combine forces to argue that the two most critical issues challenging the planet - pandemics and climate warming - are made even more difficult by the onslaught of science dis- and misinformation. They name and shame the individual detractors of scientific research and progress, holding back no punches.

Beyond the science they and others are pursuing, a job hard enough given the complexity of their fields, they are battling five other global forces each having its own selfish agendas: plutocrats, petrostates, propagandists, professionals and the press. Admittedly, these categories overlap with some forces offering positive help along with negative consequences, including plutocrats that fund valuable research at times and detract from it at other times.

Given the celebrity that their expertise has brought these two authors, they have also suffered from targeting by trolls, bots and other organized groups who have threatened their lives and livelihoods.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timely and important book - a five star on that front. I’m a scientist myself, and I am astounded at the increase in anti-science. The scientists here are leaders in their fields, always dedicated to others, and both have been subjected to all the forces described here. Excellently annotated and footnoted, as expected from scientists. The organization around the five forces made it easy to follow and understand the arguments and evidence behind the authors case. It made me a bit sad and very disappointed - I grew up with reverence for civic leaders including politicians and to lose that as I see the course of antiscience which requires also a disregard for people is tough. I am glad that the authors did keep coming back to the fact that we have agency and can work our way back to rely on science to do good.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing. Not because it isn't true, because it seems to be completely true. And not because it isn't worth reading and knowing, because both of those are true as well.

This just didn't seem useful. I mean if you have low blood pressure, this would probably help. It was good at making me angrier. It was good at making clear how much the particular problem called out in this book hit two particular individuals as a case in point.

The list of books referenced in this one seem valuable.

But what do we do next? I don't think this landed all that well either.

This was particularly in combatting doom-ism.

Those who agree with this book will just be angrier. Those who are promoting the attack on science are unlikely to read this. And those who be supporting science and people and freedom and democracy but are otherwise voting republican. Well. I don't think reading this will accomplish what the author's would prefer. 2.5 of 5

[Dick Heimbold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael E. Mann again rising to the call of strongly defending the scientists understanding climate change and getting the word out to the world. This time his opponents are not just dissident scientists and homegrown know-nothings. This time around he writes about powerful plutocrats who have lined up against him—usually to protect their investments in fossil fuels; foreign interests who want to stir our political pot or sell their fossil fuels. In America the Republican party and all its press allies are climax deniers. He takes them on too. The immensity of the opposition and all the wealth they control is daunting, think gulf states and they are sophistcated players with unlimited cash. Bless you Michael Mann. Don't give up the fight.

[Nicholas Smeaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good inside look at challenges facing Scientists working in the fields of climate science and healthcare. This book examines the groups behind Climate change and Vaccine denial, what their driving motivations are and what their tactics are. It makes for disturbing reading but it does finish on an optimistic note, not only about defeating this orchastrated campaign of dangerous misinformation and on the climate crisis. If there is one criticism I have, it's that the book doesn't go into how come such disinformation was able to gain so much traction so quickly. Knowing that would go a long way to developing effective counter-tactics in the fight to save the planet.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good rebuke of the plutocrats, petrostates, pros, phonies, and the press, and how they have failed us with respect to climate science and public health.

While there are strong discussion and holding the five P’s accountable, but it was fairly narrow in scope, limiting the discussion to the two scientific topics the authors are experts in. While a reasonable approach, I think this could have been a broader conversation, as these are certainly not the only two areas “under siege”.

Finally, I have never, and do not ever plan to read LotR, so the analogy based on in was lost on me and immediately distanced me from the content.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. It was highly informative and, at the same time, chilling, as we are seeing in real-time the effects of science under siege. The book is well-paced and written in a conversational tone. Hotez and Mann pull no punches; their message is direct and blunt. And they make suggestions for action, many of which they are already doing and leading by example. This book is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of science in America and elsewhere. Thank you to Netgalley and PublicAffairs for the advance reader copy.

[Bill Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excellent, albeit exhausting, description of the catastrophes likely to confront the world very soon but it utterly fails to offer realistic suggestions to fight the forces which threaten the world. A simple metric to demonstrate my point is to compare the percentage of the book devoted to the problems with that suggesting solutions. Given that almost everyone who is drawn to the book is already aware of the problems, all readers would be better served with well conceived suggestions for fighting the dark forces. There are none on offer in my opinion

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this only briefly discusses "how to fight" anti-science rhetoric and attacks, and is focused more on the accounting of the extent and the ways that the authors have been attacked by the anti-science movement. I would have appreciated a deeper dive into the drivers of this movement in our current political climate and a more thorough exploration of how exactly to counter it beyond "improve science communication".

[David Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Up until the last chapter (recommendations going forward), I was mostly in synch with the authors. But the final chapter lost me. The recommendations seemed drastic, dire, and doomful. And the connection with Lord of the Rings was dramatic and didn't connect with me (never read the Rings). Because of the last chapter, I couldn't recommend this book to anyone. Prior to finishing the book, I intended to share with many.

[Steven May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mann & Hotez provided informed information on how science is being undermined by individuals and organizations to promote and protect their financial wellbeing. The book is focused primarily on encouraging other scientists to stand up for their work in spite of significant backlash and threats by forces that threaten them. But it also challenges us to understand candidates position on science before casting our votes.