Customer Reviews

The Fly in the Ointment: 70 Fascinating Commentaries on the Science of Everyday Life

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is much more than just a standard book of a scientist's essays intended to correct the flood of science misinformation to which we are relentlessly exposed. The essays are quite timely, mostly accurate in my view, and written with flair. If you liked the book "Innumeracy", or enjoy Bill Bryson, you will certainly enjoy this book, and will likely find it to be usefully educational.

An annoying typesetting feature in this book caught my eye, and may irritate you as well. The publisher (or author) seem unable to state the abbreviation "US" (for United States) in genuine capital letters, and the two letters repeatedly appear in a small font. No other country name or abbreviation is printed in this odd manner. The effect is strange, especially when it appears in a name such as "us Pharmacopeia." This is either a Canadian typesetting convention (to which I have not before been exposed), or a not-so-subliminal expression of mild contempt for the neighbor to the south.

I mention this because it did distract from my enjoyment of the book (which I had to put down several times while shaking my head in disbelief at the oddity of this typesetting approach), and forewarned, maybe you'll be able to enjoy the book a bit more.

Overall, this is well worth reading, and I intend to read the author's previous books. I'm sure the science will be very interesting (and who knows what typesetting surprises await).

What is the truth about taking garlic supplements to ward off illness and cure common diseases? What is the relationship between moldy corn and a movie? How do quacks popularize their theories, and what science is involved in corporate crime? These and other questions reveal the mysteries of science, using lively and popular topics to point out the scientific theories, quirks and misconceptions in everyday beliefs. A fun, educational leisure choice for general-interest audiences, The Fly in the Ointment: 63 Fascinating Commentaries on the Science of Everyday Life joins other similar science trivia fact guides by the venerable doctor.

A great book that gives a reliable, skeptical, and logical look at many different ideas, partially or completely incorrect, that people have developed on scientific topics. One of the best books I have read in some time. I will be using the information gained in my classroom.

I'm hooked on Joe's books! As a senior chemistry teacher in B.C., I find the good
doctor's articles a great stimulus for discussions with, and research by, my students.
If you have not enjoyed the interesting, informative and entertaining writings of
Dr. Schwarcz, I suggest you do so soon! This is chemistry we can all relate to!

This one was a require text for one of my college courses. We were only required to read some of it. However, I thought it was interesting and read some of the rest of the book. Schwarcz gives interesting commentaries on many different scientific subjects, such as the mercury content in fish, teflon pans, 'mad' honey, and much more. At times, his tone gets pretty sarcastic and even a bit offensive, but manages to remain humorous. All in all, it was an okay read.

Could not put it down! Fascinating! Should be mandatory in schools and colleges.

This author is wrong. My Sister and I cannot even have one bite of calcium propionate without suffering severe flare ups of pain, bloating, rib pain, etc...

CP is banned in several countries, which is not mentioned. It is a toxic pesticide for God's sake. My Aunt was doubling over in pain every night and after medical tests showed nothing, I told her to look at the labels of what she eats...she was eating a ton of calcium propionate in breads etc...it was the cause of her pain! Do some research. This preservative is nasty. It builds in the body and eventually, in some people, will destroy your digestive system.

"The Fly in the Ointment" and "Let them eat flax", (which I bought at the same time) both give 70 extremely interesting snapshots of everyday life in terms of chemistry. Some of the articles were of general interest and many debunked some rabid internet myths which abound. I have used both books as a source to add to my chemical knowledge and I find myself referring to them often.

I found both books written in a very readable style while presenting the facts and I will be looking out for this author in future.