Homeopathy: How It Really Works [Paperback]

Jay W. Shelton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2004

The popularity of homoeopathy has been increasing dramatically both in America and worldwide. Annual world sales of homoeopathic remedies are approaching two billion dollars. In this thorough examination of homoeopathy, physicist Jay W. Shelton analyses the history, the remedies, the logical inconsistencies, and the effectiveness of this popular alternative medicine. This reasoned, balanced, and in-depth assessment will interest both homoeopaths and conventional medical practitioners, as well as consumers curious about a well-known and much-publicised alternative medicine.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a thoughtful and balanced account of the subject in which the counter-arguments are given fair play..." -- Anthony Campbell's Book Reviews (online)

"This is probably the single best reference on homeopathy around..." -- About.com Agnosticism/Atheism site

About the Author

Jay W. Shelton, Ph.D., is a Harvard- and UC Berkeley-educated physicist and has enjoyed careers as a college professor, the director of a research firm, a writer, and a consultant. He currently spends most of his time encouraging students and adults to question, research, and evaluate all sources of information, including their teachers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159102109X
• ISBN-13: 978-1591021094
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,298,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Pep Talk- No Put Down: the real deal about Homeopathy, February 16, 2004

By 

Don Fineberg (Santa Fe, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homeopathy: How It Really Works (Paperback)

A really smart, well-trained scientist takes a look at a really puzzling question. How does Homeopathy work? On a variety of controversial topics, many book reviews say something like `this book tells it like it is'; but this actually means that the book says what the reviewer already believes. Shelton's book is not about homeopaths offering testimonials to their work, nor is it about physicians' putting-down this field. Instead, it is a clear description of the way a clear-headed, unbiased thinker examines a subject.

Shelton's book is engaging to read and easy to use. Each chapter is divided into sections. Central ideas are highlighted and bulleted. I especially liked the "dialogues" between homeopaths and skeptics that brings to life their different viewpoints. It's to the point and straightforward about homeopathy in specific and scientific theories in general. Finally, the book includes an easy-to-use glossary of common homeopathy terms. This book is a must read for anyone that uses or considers using homeopathic remedies. It is also an eye opener for any healer or any doctor willing to take the time to examine what their treatments really offer to their patients. Most important, it is a real help to all of us, who at one time or another, for some reason or another, become patients ourselves. What kind of treatment would you want? Here's a book that gives us a way to answer that question.

Whether you are the kind of person that loved science in school, or found that it left you cold, you will enjoy the way a genuine scientist and teacher like Shelton examines a complex subject. He looks at the evidence. He stays both open and skeptical. He offers alternative explanations to what he discovers. He concludes by saying that if new evidence proves him wrong in the future, he would be "delighted," because that is how science makes progress. After reading Shelton's book, you know that it what he really believes.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book, September 18, 2007

By 

Book Fan - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Homeopathy: How It Really Works (Paperback)

Helpful, insightful, and well thought out. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning about what Homeopathy is really all about.

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scientific investigation of homeopathy, February 19, 2004

By 

"hslynch" (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homeopathy: How It Really Works (Paperback)

Extremely well-researched book into how homeopathy works. History, testimonials, thorough bibliography. Most important, applies scientific methods and criteria to all aspects of homeopathy. Conclusion: it works, it helps people, but not for the reasons people who use it think it does. Read it to see why!