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Is That a Fact?: Frauds, Quacks, and the Real Science of Everyday Life Paperback – May 1, 2014

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 108 ratings

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The bestselling “quackbuster” and “tireless tub-thumper against pseudoscience” fishes for the facts in a flood of misinformation (Maclean’s)

“Written with a light touch and refreshing humor, this book provides a solid, authoritative starting point for anyone beginning to look at the world with a skeptical eye and a refresher for those further along that path.” — Library Journal

“The author’s entertaining writing style and clear, precise explanations make the book a joy to read.” — Booklist

Eat this and live to 100. Don’t, and die. Today, hyperboles dominate the media, which makes parsing science from fiction an arduous task when deciding what to eat, what chemicals to avoid, and what’s best for the environment. In
Is That a Fact?, bestselling author Dr. Joe Schwarcz carefully navigates through the storm of misinformation to help us separate fact from folly and shrewdness from foolishness.

Are GMOs really harmful? Or could they help developing countries? Which “miracle weight-loss foods” gained popularity through exuberant data dredging? Is BPA dangerous or just a victim of unforgiving media hype? Is organic better? Schwarcz questions the reliability and motives of “experts” in this easy-to-understand yet critical look at what’s fact and what’s plain nonsense.
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

If you combined the rigorous scientific approach of Ben Goldacre (Bad Science, 2010) with the enthusiasm and outspoken prose of James Randi (the noted skeptic and debunker), you would have Joe Schwarcz, chemist, science writer, and radio host. Here, in his latest collection of essays, he tackles a wide variety of topics: bogus self-help products, quackery, homeopathy, misinformed celebrities (i.e., celebs who make ridiculous statements because they don’t know they’re misinformed), fish-oil supplements, weight-loss plans, Dr. Oz, Jamie Oliver, GMOs, and the list goes on. It’s important to note, too, that he doesn’t take a hard-core debunking tack to everything he discusses: the book is divided into three broad categories called black, gray, and white (black representing things for which there is no scientific evidence, white being those for which there is hard evidence, and gray being those in between). The author’s entertaining writing style and clear, precise explanations make the book a joy to read, and his choice of subjects is so wide-ranging that there really is something for everyone here. --David Pitt

Review

“Written with a light touch and refreshing humor, this book provides a solid, authoritative starting point for anyone beginning to look at the world with a skeptical eye and a refresher for those further along that path.” — Library Journal

“The author’s entertaining writing style and clear, precise explanations make the book a joy to read, and his choice of subjects is so wide-ranging that there is really something for everyone here.” —
Booklist

“Takes its readers through the carnival of pseudoscience, the morass of half-truths, and, finally, the relatively safe road of reproducible scientific knowledge. This journey is made all the more enjoyable by Dr. Schwarcz’s surgical use of words and his mastery of public writing … [He] can always be counted on to write about the chemistry of the world in a way that is both entertaining and educational.” —
Cracked Science

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ECW Press; No edition (May 1, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1770411909
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1770411906
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1240L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 108 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
108 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book informative and well-researched, covering real science in everyday life. They describe it as an enjoyable and easy read that exposes areas of pseudoscience.

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12 customers mention "Information quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-researched. They appreciate the author's work exposing pseudoscience and covering real science of everyday life. The science content is not too technical, and the writing style is engaging.

"...These are fun books that give you a little background on a wide range of topics that you've likely come across in your life...." Read more

"Dr. Schwarcz does a great job of exposing several areas of pseudoscience...." Read more

"...It does deconstruct standard myth/misinformation about homeopathy, herbal "therapies," the GMO "controversy"..." Read more

"This is an enjoyable and easy to read book. It is full of facts, but reads as quickly and easily as popular fiction." Read more

9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They appreciate the good content and important message. The chapters are short and snappy, with an engaging take on pseudoscience.

"...These are fun books that give you a little background on a wide range of topics that you've likely come across in your life...." Read more

"...This is a great book for refuting a lot of the nonsense that is out there today and for recognizing when someone attempts to fill your head with..." Read more

"...the fact that I'm not exactly the right target audience, but his content is good, and the message is important." Read more

"This is an enjoyable and easy to read book. It is full of facts, but reads as quickly and easily as popular fiction." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2016
    It's not a textbook. That's the most important thing for you to know.

    Most of the issues listed in other reviews seem to view the book as something it's not. No, there aren't citations. Some of the studies might have enough information to look up on your own, but you'll have to trust Dr. Schwarcz for much of the book. I think that's okay - Dr. Joe has a very good reputation across the scientific community and has been doing this for a very long time. Look up his podcast if you want more frequent and recent updates.

    These essays, or commentaries, or chapters, or whatever you want to call them, are pretty short. Most are only about 2-4 pages. But this is not the kind of book you purchase if you are looking for in-depth technical expertise. These are fun books that give you a little background on a wide range of topics that you've likely come across in your life. As a chemistry student, this is the kind of thing I read for fun, because as the title states this book covers "the real science of everyday life."

    If you enjoy this book, Dr. Schwarcz has many others like it (I suggest "That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles").
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2015
    Dr. Schwarcz does a great job of exposing several areas of pseudoscience. From homeopathy to media created hysteria, Dr. Schwarcz gives the facts behind it all. He also stresses that when it comes to "toxins" dosage matters which means those "toxins" in your food and water are likely no problem at all. This is a great book for refuting a lot of the nonsense that is out there today and for recognizing when someone attempts to fill your head with more pseudoscience and nonsense.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2014
    This book is nice and falls into the genre of "debunking" books, to which I am particularly attracted. It does deconstruct standard myth/misinformation about homeopathy, herbal "therapies," the GMO "controversy" (that doesn't exist in rational science), molecular water, and other pseudoscientific topics. He uses a lot of quotes which, while good ones, are kind of noticeable in their number. The writing style can be a bit flip at times, which is a little concerning to me, as these misconceptions are important ones that need to be seriously debunked, and his language might be off-putting enough to those who disagree so as to fuel their determined disagreement. Still, I notice that this is an author who writes material clearly targeted to a lay audience, so perhaps that's why it reads the way it does (eg, it doesn't read like, say, Paul Offit's books on the same topic). As a scientist, I also feel that some sections are incomplete or surprisingly outdated for a recent publication. I suspect that my "issues" with this book probably stem from the fact that I'm not exactly the right target audience, but his content is good, and the message is important.
    19 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2014
    This is an enjoyable and easy to read book. It is full of facts, but reads as quickly and easily as popular fiction.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2015
    I found the chapters a bit short, and found myself wishing they were at least twice as long. The science bits are not too technical.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2014
    Even for someone well versed in science and pseudoscience, this book has a lot to offer. I learned a lot for sure.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2014
    Well researched and relevant. A wide variety of topics are covered. Recommended for anyone interested in going behind the headlines and learning the facts.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2014
    This book starts out strong, attacking some of the most powerful myths of the present day. The author's grounding in scientific research makes him a good person to explain why some ideas are just plain wrong. But towards the end, he veers off into a "fun facts" kind of reporting. He's all over the place, talking about lots and lots and LOTS of little stories you may or may not have heard, and may or may not care much about. But if you're a lover of obscure information, you'll love the whole thing.
    8 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • OldErn
    5.0 out of 5 stars All of Joe Schwarcz' books interlace facts with humour and are easy to understand.
    Reviewed in Canada on July 24, 2022
    I liked everything about Joe Schwarcz' books. I was able to learn while being entertained.
  • Dave Thornham
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good read for folks who spend their time 'Colon Cleansing' and 'detoxing'.
    Reviewed in Canada on June 9, 2014
    I enjoyed reading this book, as Dr. Joe debunks many of the current 'Urban Myths' ranging from some of the popular 'alternative medicines' to the unfounded condemnation of the chemical BPA, and the overuse of antibiotics. Generally well researched and straightforward.
  • Cass M.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and entertaining
    Reviewed in Canada on May 25, 2014
    It's hard to serve up science without bogging down in terminology but Dr. Schwartz's teaching career has helped him develop an accessible style while citing research to back up claims.
  • LMM
    5.0 out of 5 stars Informative
    Reviewed in Canada on April 10, 2018
    Purchased for someone else. Informative
  • ernest reinhart
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on November 22, 2014
    Buy this book and every book written by Joe Swartz