The Science of Fear: Why We Fear the Things We Should Not - and Put Ourselves in Great Danger

Dan Gardner is a columnist for the Ottawa Citizen newspaper with a different take on analyzing the risks that we face in the world today.

He does a phenomenal job of breaking down various risks from toxic chemicals, terrorism, disease, kidnapping, ect.

Mr. Gardner also does a great job outlining why we don't response to risk rationally and how this, in combination with media, politicians and other interest groups, makes people focus on the little obscure risks instead of the important ones that kill and injure people every day. This book is useful for anyone living in the Western world but should be required living for anyone who spends their time listening to American media.

The narrator, Scott Peterson also delivers an excellent reading of the story.

All-in-all a great use of my credits.

I've listened to this book twice, and then downloaded the Kindle version, because the information written herein is vital to processing the world around us. This book is full of mind-blowing stats and info that everyone should know. If we can learn to understand the world and not fear it, as well as take note of the things we should fear and respect but do not, we could all live better lives.

This book really made me think about the decisions I made and why I made them. I didn't think too much about what my children watched on TV - now I understand the point of not exposing them to fearful scenarios. At the same time, I worry less about things happening to them - I consciously tell myself not to be driven by irrational fears and worries.

I have recommended this book to many people, and have bought it on paper as well so I can reread whenever I need a reminder.

I have always beleived in the mantra "be careful of what you fear" as I have seen so many people go to great lengths to avoid products, situations or events that they feared - irrationally.

The author lays out the logic that I have tried to express in a simple, easy to understand manner.

Great listen!

Yes, for the first half or so. The second half of the book rather deceptively and rapidly deteriorated into anecdotal, political and non-scientific conjecture that would be more suited to a book of another title and genre. For those interested in the real science of fear, start elsewhere. For those interested in the political and marketing exploitation of fear - this is a reasonably good book. But beware: for those not keenly interested in US politics (i am Australian and care only moderately about US politics); this book will bore you and even frustrate you in the second half.

I would recommend this only to those not interested in the science behind fear but more in fear as a general topic. Because only a small portion of the book is devoted to real science. Much of it is political, speculative, and anecdotal while very lightly sprinkled with empirical research findings. By calling it the science of fear it borrows credibility from the scientific community to bolster and sustain its arguements. Although much of it was interesting, unfortunately the author de-railed his main thesis by letting his political and intuitive ideas dilute the little amount of science that was offered on the subject. If i was more interested in book heavily imbued with hyperbole and conjecture i would have purchased from the fictional shelf or at least had my eyes-wide-open about the source of the content coming more from the author than from the scientific community.

Personality, continuity, intonation and emphasis where appropriate.

No, at least not from this author. Perhaps a more credible scientist who will not let gutt-feelings, intuition and personal bias interfere with his or her work would be more interesting and true to the title.

The Science of Fear is really two books appended to each other. The first half is an excellent book on the psychological factors that cause fear, and how humans cannot calculate risk correctly.

The second half is an excellent political diatribe about how the public has been deceived by both ends of the political spectrum -- with special mention for the Bush administration's clear intention to deceive. This second half should have been a second book called "The Politics of Fear".

Gardner uses many studies that show that people make decisions with their gut and rarely do we make them based on evidence and critical thinking. We need to become more aware of how and why we fear so much.
We live in the safest of times in human history, but we are more afraid than ever. It does not make sense, but it seems to be the case. Why can't we do an objective analysis is a major issue for those listening.

This is the best book on the subject that I've came across. I liked both the theoretical explanations, and practical examples with recommendations. It is impartial, and also shows how the risks of the rare but emotionally significant events are overinflated and overused by media and politicians, and also how our own brains and "guts" mislead us in our daily life. I liked both the writing style, and the narration. I recommend it to everyone.

My reaction for most of the ideas presented was "How was I that stupid before?!". It is a great listen.

A very interesting look at the world in which we live.

It really brought home a lot of the things I've thought about for years regarding fear marketing and the politics of fear. It doesn't matter which side of the political spectrum you lean towards. Very informative.