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E. Ernst
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A Scientist in Wonderland: A Memoir of Searching for Truth and Finding Trouble Paperback – January 12, 2015

by Edzard Ernst (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 201 ratings
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This is the story of my life as a doctor and a scientist. Despite a youthful ambition to become a jazz musician, I eventually studied medicine and became a medical research scientist, taking up appointments in Germany, Austria and finally in England. My reverence for the pursuit of truth through the application of scientific methods, coupled with a growing interest in the history of medicine during the Nazi era, did not always endear me to my professional colleagues. At the time I was appointed to the world's first chair in alternative medicine, this was an area of health care that had never been studied systematically, and was almost entirely dominated by outspokenly evangelic promoters and enthusiasts ― among them, famously, HRH Prince Charles ― many of whom exhibited an overtly hostile, anti-scientific attitude towards the objective study of their favoured therapies. Clashes were inevitable, but the sheer ferocity with which advocates of alternative medicine would go in order to protect their field from scrutiny came as a profound surprise. This memoir provides a unique insight into the cutthroat politics of academic life and offers a sobering reflection on the damage already done by pseudoscience in the field of medicine.

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  1. Print length
    200 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Imprint Academic
  4. Publication date
    January 12, 2015
  5. Dimensions
    5.31 x 0.55 x 8.27 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1845407776
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1845407773
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"[T]his ferociously frank autobiography... [is] a clarion call for medical ethics."

-- Barbara Kiser ― Nature

"A Scientist in Wonderland is a rather droll, quick read… [and] it's an effective antidote to New Age nonsense, pseudo-science and old-fashioned quackery."

-- Robbie Millen ― The Times

"This is no dry autobiography, but a compelling account of a seeker after truth dicing with the dark forces of un-reason and self-interest… Ernst's book is a testament to determination and integrity… This slim volume deserves a place on the bookshelf of every scientist and politician with an interest in healthcare, every medical practitioner and every camist with a conscience."

-- Richard Rawlins ― The Skeptical Intelligencer

'Ernst's A Scientist in Wonderland is entertainingly written and, like his professional life, challenging. Some of it is unashamed diatribe. Many will find the attitudes expressed by the author to be offensive. Others will regard Ernst as a hero and a martyr for evidence-based medicine based upon scientific rigour… A Scientist in Wonderland is an absorbing and personal account of the life of an influential figure in the passionate and divisive contemporary conflict between conventional and alternative medicine… It is well worth reading.'

-- Ian Freckelton QC ― Journal of Law and Medicine

About the Author

Professor Ernst qualified as a physician in Germany where he also completed his MD and PhD theses. He was Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) at Hannover Medical School (Germany) and Head of the PMR Department at the University of Vienna (Austria). He came to the University of Exeter in 1993 to establish the first Chair in Complementary Medicine. Since 2012, he is Emeritus Professor.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Imprint Academic; 1st edition (January 12, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1845407776
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1845407773
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.55 x 8.27 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 201 ratings

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E. Ernst

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4.5 out of 5 stars
201 global ratings

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Customers find the narrative engaging and instructive. They describe the book as an entertaining and worthwhile read.

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Narrative qualityReadability
17 customers mention "Narrative quality"13 positive4 negative

Customers find the narrative engaging and instructive. They describe it as an interesting life story told well by a leading authority in the field. The book is described as passionately defending science, patient safety, and integrity.

"...That itself would be enough to be recommended. The writing style is fluid and you can read it in a weekend, it is not filled with academic..." Read more

"The Dr. first entertains with the interesting story of his life then enrages by exposing the evil of so called "alternative medicine"...." Read more

"A memoir that is a well written passionate defense of science, patient safety and integrity from the man who was the first professor at a university..." Read more

"I have not finish the book, but his personal journey so far is really interesting,, and I believe the plot of "wonderland" is about to come..." Read more

5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an interesting and worthwhile read. They describe it as entertaining and instructive.

"...A good read but take your blood pressure meds before reading the second half." Read more

"...therapies and the battle with their proponents that makes for an interesting read, at least for me...." Read more

"A fascinating read and worthwhile for anyone who is interested in the Scientific research and Alternative Medicine." Read more

"Very entertaining and instructive." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Daniel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good personal account
    Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    It would be a poor favor writing "must read" or "hate it" respect to this book (or any other book). One comes watching reviews looking for more than simplistic characterizations. This is a book written like a biography, but slightly different. In the first part of the book (about half of it), the author talks about his life and how he came to be a physician in post war Germany. In the second and more substantiate part, we know how he entered in the field of investigating "alternative medicine" and which battles had to fight.
    So, it is not a strict biography, but it is written as one. It is more a kind of testimony of one of the early debunkers -throught scientific method which is not so easy to say - of bogus medicine. There are a lot of really good books of that kind (Sagan, Asimov, Jay Gould, Dawkins, etcétera), but in this you can know that fight from the front line, so to speak. That itself would be enough to be recommended.
    The writing style is fluid and you can read it in a weekend, it is not filled with academic references or credentials, nor rare words or the like. It is a book to be used as a reference for those interested in the field. If you'd like to really know his scientific work, go to pubmed or any other journals where you can find it.
    Personally I would have liked to be more lengthy in his final review on the more popular "alternative" remedies, but all in all, is a rapid overview of his knowledge on the field and it's enlightening.
    So, if you like to know what i've been said go for it. If you're looking for pure facts or more recent investigations, this is not your book. If you want to know a mix of biography and the science battles, this is it.
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  • darwinslapdog
    4.0 out of 5 stars and I'm happy he shared his story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2015
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    An important story, but not as well told as I'd hoped. Many details were lacking although the pertinent facts are clearly set out. Perhaps Ernst is just modest, and I'm happy he shared his story; it just lacked intimacy in my view.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • BB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting life story of great man
    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2015
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    The Dr. first entertains with the interesting story of his life then enrages by exposing the evil of so called "alternative medicine". A true scientist in a world of magical thinking, he has to confront charlatans, cowardly administrators, snake oil salesman and even Prince Charles.

    A good read but take your blood pressure meds before reading the second half.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Daniel Olsson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone interested in medicine and "complementary medicine"!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    A memoir that is a well written passionate defense of science, patient safety and integrity from the man who was the first professor at a university department devoted to "complementary medicine" and how he ran into trouble with industry interests and the house of Hanover while evaluating the methods used in "complementary medicine".
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Ricardo del Blanco
    5.0 out of 5 stars Steady and building up!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2016
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    I have not finish the book, but his personal journey so far is really interesting,, and I believe the plot of "wonderland" is about to come teue in the second part of the book!
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  • Levinia Souza
    4.0 out of 5 stars If you are in academia, open your eyes
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2023
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    It is an eye opener about research and where resources go.
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  • Richard A. Kulisheck
    5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent overview of alternative and complementary health care
    Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2016
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    This is an excellent overview of alternative and complementary health care. It is well written by an ethical scientist whose thorough research generated a good deal of wrath from proponents of dubious remedies.
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  • Tony Krins
    5.0 out of 5 stars Champion of Medical Science
    Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Edward Ernst 's autobiography makes him the very greatest champion of sense versus foolish superstition when it comes to bogus health care. His exposure of Prince Charles as a very dangerous buffoon is wonderful.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Caro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Pseudoscience exposed via a deeply personal experience in a ...
    Reviewed in Australia on May 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    systematic account of what happened when Edzard Ernst took a long, hard look at homeopathy. Compelling reading.
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  • M. Fernando
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on February 21, 2017
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    Probably the best book on alternative medicine out there. A must for any medical professional
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  • Jose A. Rodríguez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
    Reviewed in Spain on January 14, 2016
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    El profesor Ernst en una obra con tintes biográficos que ayudan a contextualizar toda su obra, narra de forma muy amena sus investigaciones sobre la medicina alternativa. Nos dibuja a una persona consecuente con unos elevados principios éticos, que siguiendo la lógica del método científico descubre la inocuidad, en el mejor de los casos, de estas terapias, y cómo se resisten a ser evaluadas rigurosamente. Desgraciadamente también nos ilustra de las dificultades encontradas para realizar un trabajo objetivo y preocupado por la salud y el bienestar de los enfermos. Intereses económicos importantes apoyados por importantes poderes políticos no consiguieron quebrar su espíritu de lucha por la objetividad científica pero sí secar la financiación necesaria para seguir investigando.
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  • F. MASSEN
    5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary lucid and readable!
    Reviewed in Germany on August 8, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This is real gem to read. The first part of the book is more of a partial biography, sprinkled with a lot of dry humour. The second half relates Prof. Ernst's problems in academia, when trying to put alternative medicine and healing on scientific feet. If you think that the university world is free of group-think and corruption, you are far off the mark. When money, personal standing and group-think are involved, the scientific method has a difficult life even in university research-labs or departments. Many of the related stories seem applicable to the global warming craze, where analogous Zeitgeist, zealotry and post-normal attitude seem to be the norm.I can not but admire Prof. Ernst's standing power!
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  • Colin Brewer
    5.0 out of 5 stars PRINCE CHARLES: DEFENDER OF THE FAITH - AND OF FAITH IN PLACEBOS.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2015
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    Despite the British stereotype of Germans as a bit lacking in the jokes department and the fact that his surname means 'serious' in German, Edzard Ernst writes with a dry and slightly off-beat humour that you might expect when you learn that he has always loved jazz and funded his well-oiled student lifestyle by playing clarinet with a combo. He needed all that humour when Prince Chazza became annoyed because the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) favoured and promoted by the Prince didn't show up very well when tested by Ernst in the objective and sceptical way that most orthodox treatments are tested. Although the new unit at Exeter became both very productive and an international leader in the field under Ernst's direction, the Prince used arguably unconstitutional methods to get the department suppressed. I suspect that one of those methods was to hint strongly that if Ernst didn't go, senior university functionaries might not get their gongs. When Ernst was asked by some medical journalists how this sort of 'droit de seigneur' might be avoided, he replied instantly: 'Abolish knighthoods'. Apparently, Deans and Vice-Chancellors are so keen on these honours that their traditional commitment to research, truth, and the null hypothesis can quickly dissolve in a potent mixture of snobbery, monarchism and heraldry. Ernst deplores the Prince's 'determination to advance the cause of CAM at every opportunity' which he has done 'with an increasingly anti-scientific stance, even admitting that he "felt rather proud of being an enemy of the Enlightenment".'

    Where the results suggested occasional real, positive and specific effects for some CAM treatments, Ernst was happy to publish them but there were not many and the specific - as opposed to the placebo and non-specific - effects were rather modest. 'Modest', unfortunately, did not describe the therapeutic claims of many CAM practitioners. The is zilch evidence that homoeopathy can prevent serious viral diseases or malaria yet Ernst's researchers found that several CAM practitioners were advising patients and parents to use their nostrums in place of well-tried vaccines. If we lose herd immunity to measles, outbreaks inevitably occur and already have done. A small number of measles patients will get measles encephalitis, a devastating condition that can turn a healthy child into a permanently drooling idiot within a few days. I've seen the results.

    Prof Ernst's first big controlled study was of Spiritual Healers because their association told him that there were more of them than most other CAM people combined. With their willing help, he designed a study to test real, hands-on healers against trained actors; and concealed healers in kiosks against kiosks without healers. The results were impressive. Several patients were able to abandon their wheelchairs, to Prof Ernst's surprise. He probably had to keep that sense of humour under control when it turned out that wheelchair-abandoning and other dramatic signs of recovery occurred with equal frequency in all groups. In other words, a very typical placebo response.

    The function of placebos, in the days when doctors could legitimately use them, was benevolent deception with the aim of helping the patient (and sometimes of clarifying the diagnosis). It is definitely not their function to help CAM practitioners to convince themselves that they have discovered genuinely and specifically effective treatments when the specific effects are nearly always completely absent and the claimed mechanisms of cure are hardly ever supported. Alas, as TS Eliot wrote, human kind cannot stand very much reality and it seems that CAM can stand even less of it.

    When Ernst told the medical journalists that he was planning an autobiography but his publishers were worried that it might not sell well, I wrote at the time that I thought they were in for a pleasant and profitable surprise. If the reviews here and in the serious press are any guide, I think I shall be proved right. Unfortunately, it may not make as many sales in the area where it would do most good - among CAM practitioners themselves. It may, however, save a few of their prospective patients from forking out vast sums on impressive but expensive placebos, even if only tells them that they can find equally impressive ones for a fraction of the price. For genuine seekers after knowledge, especially if they want a crash course in clinical research methodology, this is a great and revealing book about a very important area of the health business.
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