Bad Science

Quacks, Hacks, and Big Pharma Flacks

By: Ben Goldacre

Narrated by: Jonathan Cowley

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Author Ben Goldacre exposes the epidemic of pseudoscience and gives listeners the tools they need to distinguish good science from nonsense.

©2010 Ben Goldacre (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Great fun for science and statistics geeks, this is challenging in the best sense of the word." ( Library Journal)

Knowledge is Power

Goldacre really gives you pause for thought in regards to medicine and nutrition. He has no qualms about calling a quack a quack, and really makes you wonder about all the studies that have been done concerning supplements, diets, and general medical information.

Informative and well written

The book delivers on its promise of making a reader think more critically about scientifically sounding claims made by mass media or by companies that try to sell things. There are multiple examples of baseless claims that are wide spread and accepted like detox or homeopathy. The book enumerates quite a few of them and explains where the claims came from and why they are wrong.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the book is about how questionable conclusions can be substantiated by research/studies that on a surface seem credible. How, if you are not careful and don't know what to look for, you can easily be mislead by unethical studies. For example small details in selecting trial groups, deciding cohorts or assuming wrong control groups can completely change results of an experiment. Unfortunately some corrupt companies try to cheat using such methods.

Important topic; poor audio delivery

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator is monotonous and makes it a slog

How could the performance have been better?

A more lively and varied inflection. Every sentence follows the same predictable monotonous voice pattern. Such a shame, as Ben Goldacre himself is a wonderfully lively presenter.

everyone should read this.

this is a must read living in an information driven society. separating the wheat from the chafe is an essential skill not commonly found in people these days.

Everyone Should Read This

This was interesting, well thought out, and well written. It is also so very important.

The Brits Pull No Punches On Fake Medicine!!

First off, be aware that the humor in this book is VERY British. I didn't know that going in, but was pleasantly surprised. The narrarator is SPOT ON with the read. It's witty, yet scientific, and filled with interesting facts. Rather bravely, the author (Goldacre) admits numerous times when he's getting too bogged down in boring/heavy stuff, and apologizes. This is done in a way that's charming and hillarious. Entertaining all the way through. If you've ever wondered about the reality of Homeopathic remedies, natural healing, witch doctors, etc, then you will LOVE this book!

Learn who is scamming people, and how.

It's important to be informed that the "Detox Foot Baths" and Pads, and Ear Candles, Homeopathy and many other things in the Alternative Medicine industry are scams, but it's even better to learn *how* they are scamming people.

Maybe you wouldn't have fallen for these things yourself anyway, but this book can help you explain to others who may be more inclined to try them exactly what they do and why they don't work.

I already knew that most of these were useless or even intentional scams, but I didn't know the details of all of them, and despite having a previous interest in the subject, some of these quacks and hacks were new to me.

I found it very enjoyable to listen to, and would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject matter - as long as they're okay with a British perspective and narrator. It's always a good idea to listen to a sample before buying just in case!

Very good book -

I liked the accessibility of the content. The author was able to keep technical content simple enough to not need a paper and pencil that calculate along with him.

Well done

Not sure when this came our, but it's a good reminder that scientific method isn't a quaint idea. It's the way we distinguish real science from the tabloids.

Worth a rethink

I don't always agree with his viewpoint but I do respect it. So I will give his ideas a second and third consideration.