Naturally Dangerous [Hardcover]

James Paddock Collman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1891389092 | ISBN-13: 978-1891389092 | Publication Date: May 2001 | Edition: 1

Science is integral to our everyday lives, but can you explain the scientific principle at work when you squeeze lemon on your fish? Did you know that margarine may be dangerous, humans are radioactive because of the foods they eat, special viruses can be useful antibiotics, and water vapour is the major gas involved in global warming? Full of surprising anecdotes, curious facts and historical oddities, this book connects observations from our everyday lives to the scientific principles that explain them. You will find information on organic and commercial foods, natural herbs, modern medicine, the environment, DNA testing, and much more. The author has avoided scientific jargon and mathematics to make this book of interest to non-scientists and scientists alike.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Aiming to improve readers' scientific literacy, Naturally Dangerous examines the risks involved in the choices we make." -- The Washington Post

"if you treat Collman's book as a sampler of solid advice, you won't finish it feeling hungry." -- The Washington Post

"makes an effective case for not accepting the simple equation 'natural = safe.'" -- Nature

"one of the most informative and valuable books on public health policy..." -- Stanford Report, Spyros Andreopoulos

"open this book and surprise yourself with the facts." -- Choice

About the Author

J.P. COLLMAN is at Stanford University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 194 pages
• Publisher: University Science Books; 1 edition (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891389092
• ISBN-13: 978-1891389092
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,045,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Naturally Dangerous, January 14, 2002

By 

Duncan Mason, MD (Palo Alto, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Naturally Dangerous (Hardcover)

NATURALLY DANGEROUS

"Nothing is completely safe or risk free", as we are constantly required to balance "one risk against another". So says Dr. James Collman of Stanford's Department of Chemistry in the preface of his recently published book, "Naturally Dangerous". Filled with interesting, scientific and historic anecdotes which will appeal to the curious reader, it's larger purpose is to explain in lay terms, the essence of the more important scientific controversies which have impacted public policy in recent decades. There is great risk in nature, but scientific understanding and the introduction of commercial applications of science have insulated us from many of these naturally occurring risks, allowing for a near doubling of life expectancy over the past century. But this desirable end has come at a cost. As Dr. Collman posits, "there is no free lunch". We constantly deal with tradeoffs between risk reduction and the creation of new risks, which our interventions spawn. It is only through meaningful understanding of the pertinent scientific concepts that we as a society can begin to make rational judgments. The problem is that we live in a sea of scientific illiteracy both on the part of the electorate as well as within our political leadership. Often trained in the law, many woefully lack necessary technical insight. Such a state paves the way for purposeful obfuscation of the scientific reality, creating an environment favorable for the promotion of public phobias for partisan political ends. By providing us with 224 pages of easy to read basic science, Dr. Collman does his part to push these debates in a logical direction.

Duncan Mason, MD

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn more about your environment, health, and nutrition., December 21, 2001

By 

Richard Blois (Carmel, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Naturally Dangerous (Hardcover)

Professor Collman's new book is an excellent source of information about the foods you eat, the drugs you take, and the environment you live in. He explains how and why natural substances are essential to your good health and also how these same substances can be dangerous to your health. Easy and fun to read, this well researched book provides an abundance of facts and information about the benefits and dangers of vitamins, hormones, health foods, prescription and over-the counter drugs, air pollution, radio activity and other topics of interest to everyone. Would make a good present for anyone and has excellent references for further reading, an extensive glossary, and is well indexed. An exellent and well balanced book by an outstanding teacher.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-Provoking, July 30, 2002

By 

Patti (Ames, IA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Naturally Dangerous (Hardcover)

As a former marketing assistant for a small publisher, this interesting work caught my attention. It is a highly informative reference, which addresses health and environmental issues that will be of interest to everyone. The information is indispensable to anyone concerned with their heath and provides details on prescription drugs, vitamins and herbal medicines, along with some possible dangers or side effects of popular herbs. Where misconceptions abound or confusion arises due to conflicting information in the popular press, this resource provides a logical viewpoint.

Collman covers the underlying science, in a non-technical and understanding manner, behind the chemistry involved in our everyday lives. You'll find this book valuable time and time again.