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Paul A. Offit
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Bad Advice: Or Why Celebrities, Politicians, and Activists Aren't Your Best Source of Health Information Paperback – December 31, 2019

by Paul Offit M.D. (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 214 ratings
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Science doesn’t speak for itself. Neck-deep in work that can be messy and confounding and naïve in the ways of public communication, scientists are often unable to package their insights into the neat narratives that the public requires. Enter celebrities, advocates, lobbyists, and the funders behind them, who take advantage of scientists’ reluctance to provide easy answers, flooding the media with misleading or incorrect claims about health risks. Amid this onslaught of spurious information, Americans are more confused than ever about what’s good for them and what isn’t.

In Bad Advice, Paul A. Offit shares hard-earned wisdom on the dos and don’ts of battling misinformation. For the past twenty years, Offit has been on the front lines in the fight for sound science and public heath. Stepping into the media spotlight as few scientists have done―such as being one of the first to speak out against conspiracy theories linking vaccines to autism―he found himself in the crosshairs of powerful groups intent on promoting pseudoscience. Bad Advice discusses science and its adversaries: not just the manias stoked by slick charlatans and their miracle cures but also corrosive, dangerous ideologies such as Holocaust and climate-change denial. Written with wit and passion, Offit’s often humorous guide to taking on quack experts and self-appointed activists is a must-read for any American disturbed by the uptick in politicized attacks on science.
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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Columbia University Press
  4. Publication date
    December 31, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    5.8 x 0.7 x 9.2 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0231186991
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0231186995
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Editorial Reviews

Review

In breezy and deceptively conversational prose that often winks with humor, Bad Advice breaks down complex scientific subjects that have been distorted through several cultural lenses. Offit takes to task actors, network news anchors, quack scientists, and even politicians who, unlike Jolie in her thoughtful article, have opined on scientific subjects in ways that misinform the public, on occasion to a potentially dangerous degree. ― Washington Post

Bad advice about your health, firmly grounded in fact-free marketing, greed, and science denialism, is omnipresent in the new and old media these days. One of the few reliable sources of good advice is Dr. Paul A. Offit who, unlike all too many scientists and doctors, is ready to take on the hype and lies of celebrities, charlatans, ideologues, and money-grubbers with logic, evidence, and humor. Take my advice: Bad Advice is just what you need to navigate the murky waters of an unending stream of really bad information about your health. -- Arthur L. Caplan, Drs. William F. and Virginia Connolly Mitty Professor of Bioethics, New York University School of Medicine

Bad Advice gives us a front row seat to Offit’s role on the leading edge of the vaccine fight as he shows just how important communicating good science can be. The author's rare storytelling blend of equal parts humorous anecdotes and serious facts leads to an entertaining and captivating read that is hard to put down. -- Melissa Stockwell, MD, MPH, Columbia University Medical Center

Paul Offit is a pediatrician, a vaccine scientist, and one of our foremost explainers of science. In Bad Advice, he distills what he has learned―often the hard way―from standing up for science in the face of bogus theories, quack remedies, and the flat-out denial of empirical fact. Skillfully, Offit uses stories of his many missteps in the treacherous public arena to teach us how to confront pseudoscience effectively. In the process, without noticing, we learn fascinating lessons in the relevant science. A forcefully-written, indispensable book, particularly at the present moment. -- Geoffrey Kabat, cancer epidemiologist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and author of Getting Risk Right: Understanding the Science of Elusive Health Risks

With humor and a unique perspective, Offit takes us step by step through our culture’s missteps (and some of his own), relating stories of real science and the difficulties of communicating complicated concepts clearly to a skeptical and sometimes hostile public. Bad Advice shows us how we can succeed in the battle against pseudoscience, seductive gurus with simple messages, and snake oil-hawking celebrities. -- Adam Ratner, M.D., New York University

The beauty of mass communication in our free society is also our curse. Information flows so quickly, from so many different sources, that one can’t help but be overwhelmed―and too frequently misled. No one has fought harder over the years to educate the public, and to puncture the dangerously false dogmas of pseudoscience, than Paul Offit. Bad Advice is a brilliant extension of his dictate, so aptly stated by Daniel Patrick Moynihan, that one is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts. Celebrities and politicians bear the brunt of Offit’s elegantly written, often hilarious, pinpoint assaults. But what makes this book truly special is its vision of how science can, and must, be defended against its despoilers. Bad Advice is, in every sense, an essential read. -- David Oshinsky, director of the Division of Medical Humanities at NYU School of Medicine

Bad Advice is a fun and educational book that will leave readers optimistic―as Offit himself is―that fact will ultimately prevail over fiction in the world of science and medicine. “Although science is under siege,” Offit writes toward the end of the book, “science advocates are fighting back.” -- Arlene Weintraub, author of Heal: The Vital Role of Dogs in the Search for Cancer Cures ― New York Journal of Books

[Bad Advice] provides a sterling example of this stand in the name of empirical truth. ― Publishers Weekly

A well-presented, knowledgeable, and surprisingly engaging look at the pitfalls of the information age. ― Foreword Reviews

The author's droll account of attempts to inform the public about vaccines and even before a congressional hearing make for compelling reading....Recommended ― Choice

About the Author

Paul Offit is Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He holds a BS in Psychology from Tufts University (1973) and an MD from University of Maryland School of Medicine (1977). He is the author of Autism's False Prophets (CUP 2008) and, most recently, Pandora's Lab (Nat Geo 2017).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Columbia University Press; 1st edition (December 31, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0231186991
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0231186995
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.8 x 0.7 x 9.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 214 ratings

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Paul A. Offit

Paul A. Offit

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Paul A. Offit MD, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases, has written 13 books about science and medicine. His subjects range from the history of the anti-vaccine movement, to the science behind vitamin supplements, to the over-use of medical treatments and, most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic. He has a passion for distilling the complexities of science and medicine into interesting narratives and clear prose. Dr. Offit has served on both the CDC and FDA Vaccine Advisory Committees. He is a co-inventor of a rotavirus vaccine, licensed in 2006, that is estimated to save hundreds of lives every year.

Dr. Offit relaxes and recharges by reading fiction, binge-watching great television series, following Philadelphia sports teams, watching movies, listening to podcasts, and walking. He follows politics all too closely and does not consider that relaxing.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
214 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book very readable and easy to understand, particularly for non-medical readers. Moreover, they appreciate its well-researched content, with one customer noting it's essential for basic scientific literacy. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its humor, perfect condition, and timeliness.

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27 customers mention "Readability"27 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, particularly noting that it is accessible to non-medical readers.

"...A very quick read, he writes clearly and succinctly about why you shouldn’t listen to non-scientific non-experts on topics ranging from climate..." Read more

"...The book is well-written, lively, informative and extremely entertaining...." Read more

"A very enlightening book, well written so as to hold one's attention. His use of humor gave me some good laughs...." Read more

"Dr. Offit is a highly regarded doctor and scientist. He writes in an easy manner and is not pretentious at all...." Read more

16 customers mention "Information quality"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and well-researched, with one customer noting it serves as a primer on communicating science.

"Paul Offit writes great books because he views reality through a scientific lens, unabashedly defending science on every page of this book...." Read more

"...The book is well-written, lively, informative and extremely entertaining...." Read more

"A very enlightening book, well written so as to hold one's attention. His use of humor gave me some good laughs...." Read more

"...His previous books prove that he is fair and extremely knowledgeable. This book is a wonderful addition for anyone’s reading list." Read more

5 customers mention "Humor"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book humorous.

"...Throughout the book, he comes across with humility and sprinkles humorous personal stories here and there, some of which made me laugh out loud...." Read more

"...Dr. Offit provides us with humorous and self-effacing tales of his public encounters and what he has learned from them...." Read more

"...His use of humor gave me some good laughs. Also, he is not afraid to point out where he made mistakes...." Read more

"...I like that offers different perspectives and lighthearted and easy to read." Read more

3 customers mention "Integrity"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's condition and integrity.

"...But by steadfastly sticking to the evidence and keeping integrity, can feel proud of their accomplishments and defend their knowledge." Read more

"Book arrived in perfect condition. I bought it for a class and it’s honestly one of the best readings I’ve ever had for a class before...." Read more

"Perfect condition" Read more

3 customers mention "Timeline"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's timely content.

"This is a clear, timely book on why scientists need to make themselves more understandable to the public, and why we the public, need to regard them..." Read more

"...This was a timely update. I got lost briefly in some of the stories but they eventually made sense as a vehicle for understanding the timeline." Read more

"...This book is insightful, timely, funny, and one of the best books I've read so far this year." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Hubert J. Farnsworth
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great defense of science by a true hero
    Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Paul Offit writes great books because he views reality through a scientific lens, unabashedly defending science on every page of this book. He is a hero because he invented a vaccine that saves thousands of children’s lives every day, and because he bravely stands up against the dark forces of anti-science by writing books like this one.

    A very quick read, he writes clearly and succinctly about why you shouldn’t listen to non-scientific non-experts on topics ranging from climate change to, of course, vaccines. Throughout the book, he comes across with humility and sprinkles humorous personal stories here and there, some of which made me laugh out loud.

    Make no mistake, however; he is deadly serious about defeating the vile forces of anti-scientific darkness that threatens our way of life and our very existence. We need many more voices like his in this world, and many fewer Jenny McCarthys. Bravo!
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Elizabeth A. Ditz
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent (and Funny) Primer on Communicating Science in an Age of Unreason.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in communicating about factual matters -- science communication, social issues, and politics. Offit shares his hard-learned lessons in how to communicate effectively in an environment more interested in clicks and inspirational stories.

    The third chapter covers the very human biases we all have, that affect our ability to think carefully about the world around us. It also covers how the media have let all of us down, by giving a platform to "false experts" -- in the name of fairness or balance.

    The rest of the book uses the anti-vaccine movement's successes and failures as a teaching tool. The book ends on a note of optimism, citing the newly vocal support for science in the media.
    21 people found this helpful
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  • Nora Staffanell
    5.0 out of 5 stars The value of expert opinion
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This is a clear, timely book on why scientists need to make themselves more understandable to the public, and why we the public, need to regard them as the experts they are. Dr. Offit provides us with humorous and self-effacing tales of his public encounters and what he has learned from them. He discusses the perils of relying on belief-based (anecdotal) systems versus evidence-based systems and explains why this has arisen. The book is well-written, lively, informative and extremely entertaining. Dr. Offit, in simply being himself, does a lot to correct the negative stereotyping of scientists. A joy to read!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • douglas humphrey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    A very enlightening book, well written so as to hold one's attention. His use of humor gave me some good laughs. Also, he is not afraid to point out where he made mistakes. We should all be grateful for the dedication to science Dr. Offit has exhibited. I highly recommend the book. He has inspired me to be more outspoken about climate change.

    I did find one error. The statement should be "The square of the longest side of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides". In other words, leave out the word root.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • mon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book !
    Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Dr. Offit is a highly regarded doctor and scientist. He writes in an easy manner and is not pretentious at all.
    He does a great job in presenting the facts as we know them (and he even presents mistakes that science has made over the years in his previous book, Pandora’s Lab, Seven Stories of Science Gone Wrong).
    I would strongly disagree with anyone who says he writes purely for profit or that he is biased in any way. His previous books prove that he is fair and extremely knowledgeable.
    This book is a wonderful addition for anyone’s reading list.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Cyndi Dexter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and very readable review of the impending health crisis we face.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I've just begun to read Dr Offit's book, and I will be lending it out as soon as I'm finished. Dr Offit does an excellent job of explaining how the insidious anti-vaccine movement has grown in the past 20 years. The US and other first world countries are facing an inevitable public health crisis unless we can get a handle on the egregious misinformation circulated via the internet. This book should be a must for every scientifically minded person to read, then share with those who have been duped by the non-scientific movement.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • mschau
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beach read about dealing with science-deniers
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Great book by many accounts. My favorite are the media encounter fails. It reads like a play-by-play of greatest hits (in a good-sad way). I just wish there was one more chapter of redemption and pro-tips. More stories about diarrhea maybe. As a physician scientist in another vilified field I loved the emotions and frustrations of dealing with anti-science. Yet light enough for a summer read. Thank you for your important work. Best parenting moment was vaccinating kiddos against rota.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for supporters of scientific methods and enemies of fake news!
    Reviewed in Germany on April 10, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A really interesting account of how the author has worked to promote scientific findings in the face of celebrity pseudo-scientists and anti-vaxxers. Should be taught in schools!
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  • Lucy45
    4.0 out of 5 stars Informative and Entertaining
    Reviewed in Canada on July 31, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Dr Offit is an excellent science communicator. This book is more about his journey as a public scientist than about the bad advice from celebrities and politicians. It was a quick read; I was done in two evenings because I started late on the first. This is not unusual as his books are generally compelling and engaging so I cannot put them down, but Bad Advice is also a little shorter.

    Caulfield books might be better for their takedown of bad celebrity advice, but this book still has much to give on that count. I learned from and enjoyed reading about the lessons learned from Offit's interactions with media.
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