Science, Sense & Nonsense

Science, Sense and Nonsense 

by Joe Schwarcz

"When did "chemical" become a dirty word?

Forty or so years ago, chemistry -- which had been recognized as a miracle-making boon to humanity - somehow became associated with warfare, sinister food additives, "toxins" and pollution.

It's a situation that Dr. Joe Schwarcz aims to put into perspective.

Yes, there's a downside to chemistry, he says, but this is dwarfed by its enormous benefits.

Dr. Joe's new collection of commentaries will inspire an appreciation for the science of everyday life, and equip you to spot the muddled thinking, misunderstandings and deceptions in media stories and advertising claims. Does organic food really always equal better food? Are vaccines dangerous? Will the latest health fad make you ill? Do expensive wrinkle creams do the job? What are the best ways to avoid cancer? The answers to such questions often lie in an
understanding of the chemistry involved. Ask Dr. Joe.

Science, Sense and Nonsense celebrates chemistry's great achievements, lambastes its charlatans, and explores its essential connections to our wellbeing. And does so in authoritative, highly readable, good humoured style."

 As I am a chemist, I thought this book could be another interesting read for me after I read this short review: "This book contains a series of short essays on various chemistry-related topics. Many of these essays are geared towards clearing up common misconceptions and educating the public about a range of topics from nutrition to medicine to environmental chemicals.The essays are well written, readable, and entertaining. They're generally fairly short, making them easy to digest in a single sitting. Overall the topics are interesting and diverse. The one issue I had with this book is the lack of references though."