Bad Science by Ben Goldacre
I really enjoyed Bad Science
In this best seller (last check [13th June 2010] it was 80 in ALL Amazon Books and ranked #5 in Science and Nature) in Ben Goldacre debunks a whole load of bad science without resorting to using technical language. Despite a good knowledge of science I learnt so much from this book and it made me think about an awful lot of the assumptions I’ve made when reading science stories in the media. It also made me angry about attempts to mislead me by misusing science. Ben Goldacre’s revelations on how pharmaceutical companies manipulate the results of drug trials so they end up with the results they want rather than the truth, makes scary reading, especially as at the moment I have to take regular medication.
With justifiable anger and wrath Ben Goldacre lays in those who peddle their pseudo-science and self proclaimed nutritionists, drug companies, media hype, homeopathy and foolish researchers all get a well and truly deserved going over. He keeps the style of his writing light so even someone with no background knowledge in science can easily get a better grasp of how to spot “bad science” and equip themselves with a decent b****it detector and a dose of scepticism. This is one of those books that could possibly change your life. At the very least it may save you a whole load of money on useless health remedies and quack medicine.
There is a website to go with this book Bad Science. You can buy Bad Science at Amazon
Ben Goldacre also finds time to write a column for The Guardian and work as a full time GP in London. He has also written for Time Out, New Statesman and the British Medical Journal along with appearing regularly on TV and Radio 4. You can find Ben on Twitter http://twitter.com/bengoldacre.
This review was originally in my blog on 8th October 2009 and has been updated.
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