jadecobain's review against another edition
5.0
I decided to give this a read since it seems like all social media is split in two get vaccinated or don't get vaccinated. It was interesting following a path on how the anti vaxxer movement grew into the monster that it is today.
I'm not an anti vaxxer or a medical professional but I kind of wonder if they spread out some of the shots would it help calm people down....probably not but it was just a thought that passed through my head.
It was sad reading about parents stories on the side of anti vaxxers and those who believe in vaccination. It would he extremely horrifying if a child who was too young to get the shot either got horribly ill because another child didn't get the shot.
I've never heard of Andrew Wakefield until now and I'm just amazed at how many people still back his ideas even though he had helped catapult the movement.
I found the history of vaccinations interesting as well. I honestly think everyone should give this a read
I'm not an anti vaxxer or a medical professional but I kind of wonder if they spread out some of the shots would it help calm people down....probably not but it was just a thought that passed through my head.
It was sad reading about parents stories on the side of anti vaxxers and those who believe in vaccination. It would he extremely horrifying if a child who was too young to get the shot either got horribly ill because another child didn't get the shot.
I've never heard of Andrew Wakefield until now and I'm just amazed at how many people still back his ideas even though he had helped catapult the movement.
I found the history of vaccinations interesting as well. I honestly think everyone should give this a read
krobcecil's review against another edition
4.0
An essential read for everyone who finds themselves confronted with anti-vax bull-ony more often than never. Mnookin wisely portrays the parents of autistic children with complete empathy; he, instead, splits the blame equally between the scientists who put fame and greed over ethics and morals, and the journalists who choose the emotionally biased and easy to tell story over the more painful reality and the complex truth.
Mnookin spends the majority of PANIC VIRUS recounting the anecdotal stories of the parents, exposing the cognitive biases and the manipulative tactics of junk scientists, and delving into history of vaccines and the solid science behind the shots. He saves most of his vitriol for the closing chapters, where he pulls no punches eviscerating the cartoonishly villainous Andrew Wakefield and Jenny McCarthy, his jiggling jester. Most importantly, Mnookin shows that when you write with wit, knowledge and style, telling the truth is not only more honest, it's the better story.
Mnookin spends the majority of PANIC VIRUS recounting the anecdotal stories of the parents, exposing the cognitive biases and the manipulative tactics of junk scientists, and delving into history of vaccines and the solid science behind the shots. He saves most of his vitriol for the closing chapters, where he pulls no punches eviscerating the cartoonishly villainous Andrew Wakefield and Jenny McCarthy, his jiggling jester. Most importantly, Mnookin shows that when you write with wit, knowledge and style, telling the truth is not only more honest, it's the better story.
jrrrck's review against another edition
3.0
While overall this is a competent book, there's a few things I wish Mnookin had drawn out more. First, and definitely most important, there's a real absence of autistic voices and perspectives within this book. I wish I had more of a sense of what the experience of being the subject of a health/moral panic (virus) is like. Its a glaring and persistent absence. Second, Mnookin describes parents whose children's personality change and have severe gastrointestinal distress (that the parents attribute to vaccines causing a combo of autism and gi issues). Their conclusions are interrogated, but there's no curiosity about alternative conclusions. If we, rightly I believe, take away the explanation of "vaccines did it," what remains? Mnookin doesn't follow that threat, and by neglecting to do so, I think he misses an opportunity to further explore and understand the dynamic between medicine, science, and fear.
iggymcmuffin's review against another edition
4.0
I couldn't put it down. This book is a gripping story, told by a talented writer on a fascinating subject. A rare thing for a work of non-fiction. I only wish it had been longer so I could still be reading it.
pharmdad2007's review against another edition
5.0
This is a terrific analysis of not only the controversy surrounding the vaccines/autism debate, but also of the intricacies of any such debate that pits hard science against human emotion.
renflew's review against another edition
5.0
Wow - really interesting, well written and engaging book. I don't normally ready scientific type books but this one really held my interest.
Not only should EVERY expecting parent read this and be informed before making a vaccination decision, EVERYONE period should read this book and start a conversation about it.
Not only should EVERY expecting parent read this and be informed before making a vaccination decision, EVERYONE period should read this book and start a conversation about it.
somewheregirl7's review against another edition
3.0
A non-fiction account of the rise of the belief that Thimerosol and childhood immunizations are responsible for the staggering rise in Autism cases.
I expected this book to be more general and not so tightly focused on just the Autism controversy. Overall the book tends to ramble and is much longer than strictly necessary. It could easily be cut in half and loose absolutely nothing. Mnookin is clearly not an unbiased party and his views are clear, which is fine. I'm not disputing his conclusions but, as with the topic being so narrowly focused, I had expectations going in that the author's personal feelings wouldn't be as transparent. This is an interesting read but certainly not the best Non Fiction book I've read this year.
I expected this book to be more general and not so tightly focused on just the Autism controversy. Overall the book tends to ramble and is much longer than strictly necessary. It could easily be cut in half and loose absolutely nothing. Mnookin is clearly not an unbiased party and his views are clear, which is fine. I'm not disputing his conclusions but, as with the topic being so narrowly focused, I had expectations going in that the author's personal feelings wouldn't be as transparent. This is an interesting read but certainly not the best Non Fiction book I've read this year.
yukif's review against another edition
4.0
A great attempt at trying to understand those with an emotional bias against current scientific facts. Hopefully can educate non-scientific people as to why the medical establishment acts as they do and it highlights why science (or at least teaching the reason for the scientific method) should be compulsory at school.
karibaumann's review against another edition
4.0
Money quote: "It was a passionate plea that unintentionally exposed the moral and scientific bankruptcy of all those who'd encouraged the families of children with autism to blame vaccines." This is a moral issue and I am glad the book addressed that. I wish there had been a little but more about what the risks of vaccines are, but I appreciate the methodical look at the actual research and information. It's worth noting that everyone who advocates against vaccines in this book is a lying liar or a person deceived by a lying liar. Because: SCIENCE.