Merchants of Doubt

Valuable scholarship, but not exactly literature

The "Merchants of Doubt" of the title were a few scientists who had been productive researchers during the cold war. The book tells the story of how, in their later years, they used their accrued clout and credibility to attack and undermine important scientific discoveries involving tobacco, acid rain, ozone depletion, and especially, climate change. Their motives were both ideological (they considered environmental science a threat to the free market that they venerated) and mercenary (they were on the take from industry groups and conservative foundations).

It's a really impressive piece or research and reporting, and it's easy to admire. But to actually enjoy it, you'd have to have to be willing to get into the weeds. The authors build their case like prosecutors, brick by brick, and they ask the reader to examine each brick up close. Do you want to read about how one of the authors of an IPCC report wrote a chapter with summaries at the beginning and end of the chapter; how he was instructed to have only one summary to make it consistent with the other chapters; and how, after doing this, he was attacked for "removing material?" Do you want to read about how that report was falsely maligned as containing sensationalistic language, when in fact the authors agonized over whether to describe the human effect on observed climate change as "appreciable" or merely "discernible?" If that's what you like, this book is for you. Some people might find it a little dry.

Overall I'm glad I listened to this. It's depressingly common to hear people debate what ought to be a science question by ranting on about socialism, the UN and the enemies of freedom. When you hear that kind of talk, if you've listened to this book, you will know where it comes from, who put it out, and who paid for it-- and it will be easy to envision the ghost of Fred Singer (one of the principal villains), wherever he is, smiling a little.

32 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Excruciating detail

This book provides a sad commentary on the way certain highly respected members of the scientific community can disregard factual developments that do not comport with their respective world views, and can choose personal profit over morality. I learned a great deal. However, the author could have used a good editor. My husband and I listened to much of the book on a long trip, and we both actually cheered when we got to the end of the section on acid rain. There is far too much extraneous detail in the book, which detracts from what could be a hard-hitting message.

22 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Liberal nonsense

Full Disclosure: I am a libertarian. I enjoy reading books from all sides of the political spectra. I disagree with most of it. But there is a kernel of truth in each side of the argument, and there is much to learn from entertaining ideas different from your own. This book is not that... This book is a diatribe of nonsense; liberal drivel.

20 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A "must read" for the literate citizen

This book is well thought out and well researched. It will shock and sadden in some ways but it is necessary reading for any enlightened citizen of the 21st century.

11 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Interesting story mired in detail

This is an interesting book, but mired in detail and hampered by the reader. The writers' case (contrary to some reviewers) is amply supported by evidence. However, the level of detail detracts from the narrative flow. I think the arguments would have been easier to follow if presented more briefly, with the supporting detail moved to an appendix, where the interested reader could turn for more detail if desired.

The narrator spoke very clearly, but his phrasing was poor, with many pauses that had nothing to do with the sentence structure. A more animated tone and better flow would have helped immensely.

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Save Your Money

What disappointed you about Merchants of Doubt?

Unless you are a rabid tree hugging liberal who believes that Obama, Pelosi, and Reid are the salvation of America, this book is a waste of your money.

If your IQ is higher than Velcro shoe laces level, you'll be seriously disappointed by this analysis.

6 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

The Manufacturing of Scientific Doubt Revealed

What made the experience of listening to Merchants of Doubt the most enjoyable?

This book draws back the curtain about how certain scientists and corporations have created public doubt about several major scientific issues during the past fifty years. It's narrative is remarkably informative.

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/A

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Peter Johnson?

Unsure. Peter Johnson does a decent job, but his voice tends towards a monotone that is unpleasant at times.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At times it blew me away and left me saying 'wow.' It's amazing how human knowledge can be socially engineered by manipulative individuals in positions of power.

Any additional comments?

This is a well-researched, interesting, and remarkably insightful history about the manufacture of scientific doubt by organizations and individuals who adhere to free-market fundamentalism. The connections it draws and the conclusions it makes are eye-opening, provocative, and often deeply disconcerting. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of science or how misinformation is propagated.

6 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Excellent Book

Naomi Oreskes does an in-depth analysis of her subject with dignity and professionalism. She is of exceptional character and credibility.

6 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Exposed, but not defeated

It's amazing how people can compromize ethics and priciples to satisfy their ego and profit margins. Even knowing people will die from their actions. What's really surprising is no one is calling these people to account for their lies. This book is a wake-up call for society to stop blindly believing everything you hear in the media. Everyone has an agenda. And that agenda usually has dollar signs attached.

And they're not done yet. My family is going through a similar discovery process regarding a medical procedure. Thousands have died, and the doctors performing the procedure know their patients are going to die, and they're not disclosing the risks. When this breaks wide it's going to be bigger than tobacco.

I highly recommend this book. It's well-paced, fascinating, educational, and packs a serious punch.

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Information packed

What did you love best about Merchants of Doubt?

Merchants of Doubt explained one of the great mysteries of America: why is popular opinion about issues such as second hand smoke or global warming so out of joint with the scientific community's view?

Any additional comments?

While this is a book about science, and the reader's voice is pleasant, the lack of intonation and over-all monotony of the performance made it hard to focus on the book at times. The audio is not for the novice audiobooker.

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile