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Timothy Caulfield

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Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?: How the Famous Sell Us Elixirs of Health, Beauty & Happiness Paperback – May 10, 2016

by Timothy Caulfield (Author)

3.8 74 ratings

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An exploration of the effect our celebrity-dominated culture has on our ideas of what it means to live "the good life"

What would happen if an average Joe tried out for American Idol, underwent a professional makeover, endured Gwyneth Paltrow’s “Clean Cleanse,” and followed the outrageous rituals of the rich and famous? Health law policy researcher Timothy Caulfield finds out in this thoroughly unique, engaging, and provocative book about celebrity culture and its iron grip on today’s society.

Over the past decade, our perceptions of beauty, health, success, and happiness have become increasingly framed by a popular culture steeped in celebrity influence and ever more disconnected from reality. Research tells us that our health decisions and goals are influenced by celebrity culture and endorsements, our children's ambitions are now overwhelmingly governed by the fantasy of fame, and the ideals of beauty and success are mediated through a celebrity-dominated worldview.

But while much has been written about the cause of our obsession with the rich and famous, Caulfield argues that not enough has been done to debunk celebrity messages and promises about health, diet, beauty, or happiness. From super-thin models to Gwyneth Paltrow’s endorsement of a gluten free-diet for almost anyone, celebrity opinions have the power to dominate our conversations and outlooks.

In this book, Caulfield provides an entertaining look into the celebrity world, including vivid accounts of his own experiences trying out for American Idol, having his skin resurfaced, and doing the cleanse; interviews with actual celebrities; thought-provoking facts, and a practical and evidence-based reality check on our own celebrity ambitions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An intelligent mix of research and pop culture, Caulfield's analysis of celebrity trends gets to the heart of America's obsession with the fame monster.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“You'd think that with the steady march of science, we'd see the twilight of the quacks. On the contrary. We are awash in snake oil. Now Tim Caulfield provides an important and entertaining antidote to all this bunkum. Put down the deer antler spray and pick up this book.”
—A. J. Jacobs, author of The Year of Living Biblically

“Caulfield's thoughtful, amusing and engaging study of our celebrity-obsessed culture provides insight into why celebrity authority often trumps medical fact when it comes to our health. If you want to improve your health or that of others you would do well to read this book!”
—Arthur Caplan, author of Smart Mice, Not So Smart People

“Health and science expert [Timothy Caulfield] debunks the most powerful and persuasive messages being spread by celebrities when it comes to our health and well-being: what works, what doesn't, what is worth our time and money, and what isn't. A fun and informative read.”
—CBC Books

“An exhaustively researched, hilarious take on how celebrity culture influences everyday life, from ill-fated attempts to make it big on reality TV to celebrity-endorsed diets and beauty regimens.”
—Emma Teitel, Maclean’s

About the Author

Timothy Caulfield is a Chair in Health Law and Policy and a Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. He has won numerous academic awards, has appeared in publications such as Time, Newsweek, Wired, National Geographic, and Scientific American, and been involved with a number of national and international policy and research ethics committees. He is the author of The Cure for Everything: Untangling Twisted Messages about Health, Fitness and Happiness.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beacon Press; Reprint edition (May 10, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0807039705
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0807039700
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.94 x 0.7 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,653,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,542 in Grooming & Style
- #9,527 in Popular Culture in Social Sciences
- #14,493 in Other Diet Books

Customer Reviews:
3.8 74 ratings

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Timothy Caulfield

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Timothy Caulfield is a Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy, a Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, and Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta. His interdisciplinary research on topics like stem cells, genetics, research ethics, the public representations of science and public health policy has allowed him to publish hundreds academic articles. He has won numerous academic and writing awards and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. He contributes frequently to the popular press and is the author of several national bestsellers. Caulfield is also the host and co-producer of the award winning documentary TV show, A User’s Guide to Cheating Death, which has been shown in over 60 countries, including streaming on Netflix in North America.

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74 global ratings

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Customers find the book enjoyable and informative. They appreciate the author's humorous writing style and factual explanations of scientific concepts.

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5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it a fun and good read, with an engaging author and relatable characters.

"Great book, full of interesting information about the crazy way people are willing to convince themselves that fame and fortune are actual..." Read more

"...Caulfield is still a fun read, but some readers may find the gear switching aggravating." Read more

"...It was very entertaining to read...." Read more

"...It's a short book but one that is probably best read a chapter at a time." Read more

3 customers mention "Information quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and entertaining. They appreciate the scientific explanations as truthful.

"Great book, full of interesting information about the crazy way people are willing to convince themselves that fame and fortune are actual..." Read more

"...So the first half of the book, fun, entertaining, and very informative...." Read more

"...But, I do feel that his scientific explanations are the truth and that I was just hoping for some magic...." Read more

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DaveAndSuZen
Pretty much!
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2020
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Great book, full of interesting information about the crazy way people are willing to convince themselves that fame and fortune are actual achievable career choices, and the things people let celebrities talk them into buying/trying/doing...

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Marita Gronnvoll
A two-fer that shouldn't necessarily be a two-fer
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2016
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While I have to say that I mostly enjoyed this book, I'm not entirely sure that Caulfield had a coherent sense of what he wanted the finished product to be. It starts out exactly as the title suggests: It examines the crazy fads promoted by various celebrities, and argues persuasively that they have no scientific backing whatsoever. And some of this stuff is truly weird (I could've gone my whole life not knowing what people do with "colonics"!). I appreciate that Caulfield is fair in his judgement of the (mostly) women celebrities that pitch this stuff, acknowledging that women are held to impossible standards in Hollywood, and aging is the death knell for their careers. So the first half of the book, fun, entertaining, and very informative.

Then came the second half...Caulfield was still entertaining in his self-deprecatory writing, but the second half of the book is basically a screed about how trying to become famous isn't worth the trouble because it's not likely to happen. Here is where I think the author lost the theme that the excellent title of his book promises. Sure, a lot of people want to become famous. But I don't think those are the people who bought this book. Being a great believer in science, I was interested in how celebrities clash with science when they peddle crap, so I was disappointed that I only got half a book that stayed on message. Caulfield is still a fun read, but some readers may find the gear switching aggravating.

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33 people found this helpful

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Alaska1916
Although fun, this book didn't tell me anything I didn't ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2016
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Although fun, this book didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. It presents a good take-down of celebrity cleanses, celebrity TV, and chances of becoming a hockey star. It was very entertaining to read. My complaints - it didn't quite get the level of detail and analysis I would have expected from a university researcher; the stats were usually pretty superficial; the personal anecdotes were funny but not really helpful to back up the research - might actually be pluses for a lot of readers.

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7 people found this helpful

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jojo
I'm not jumping up and down with happiness at the information
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2015
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As with his other book, I'm not jumping up and down with happiness at the information. But, I do feel that his scientific explanations are the truth and that I was just hoping for some magic. The truth hurts, but it is the truth and should save me from spending my hard earned money on snake oil in the future.

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6 people found this helpful

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KarenRachel
Fun, On-Target, Sarcastic
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2015
Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything is a fun, yet ultimately ephemeral read about the impact of celebrity culture on everyday folk. Timothy Caulfield, a professor of health and law policy is clearly correct; celebrities are willing to sell even the most bogus products to make money and capture fame even when most of these products are completely ineffective and/or do harm (anti-vaccine). He also convincingly describes how this takes a toll on the culture as a whole, and women in particular, by establishing false notions of beauty (disguised as concern for good health) that women,and men, struggle to attain. His arguments have a ring of truth because he shows us how unscientific and compromised the data is on these products and that many times it is really nonexistent. However, and my main criticism of this book, is the Dr Timothy Caulfield often does the same thing. He will make a claim and says the science is not yet there to fully support it or bases his evidence on a case study of one, usually himself. This really detracts from his argument, and though I think Dr. Caulfield is completely on-target (we will see about organic food) he really weakens his thesis through his own unsound methods.

Overall, a good read, a fun read, a sometimes over the top, too sarcastic and grandstanding read (he has to tell us that he had his own second of fame on American Idol) with really good points I wish he had been better at making.

I thank Edelweiss for giving me the opportunity to review this book for an honest opinion.

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2 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer
I would Really Like to Recommend This to Certain People
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2020
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This has long been a favorite point of mine. Just because someone is famous doesn't mean they are experts in all topics. It doesn't mean their opinions should be taken over researched facts or over you doctor's. Caulfield does a good job exploring how celebrity influenced our culture has become and how that obsession may be harming people's lives. It's a short book but one that is probably best read a chapter at a time.

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M. A. Meredith
Excellent examples of the inanity of popular culture and the ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2015
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Excellent examples of the inanity of popular culture and the inability of most Americans to be skeptical and scientific in their lives. A must read for any skeptic.

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5 people found this helpful

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Fernando
genial
Reviewed in Mexico on May 23, 2017
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una buena lectura, como lo dice el escritor es una opinion pero pienso que puede ser una buena lectura, entretenida

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wintermute
More interesting than it sounds
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2018
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Interesting book. Not, as I had thought, a take down of the pseudoscience pushed by various celebrities but an examination of why we believe them. Written in a pretty engaging style for the subject matter, and referenced fully. A boon in the days of “People are saying...”

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S. Bradshaw
Good but not perhaps exactly what you think it might be
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2015
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concentrated a little too much on the fame aspects rather than the scientific debunk. Still enjoyed it.

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