Reviews
Galileo's Middle Finger: Heretics, Activists, and One Scholar's Search for Justice by Alice Dreger
pamiverson's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting, but sometimes frustrating book about a researcher who challenges a lot of scientific and activist efforts, first with intersex children, then with other issues. Sometimes seems to self-righteous.
jrobles76's review against another edition
5.0
A great read that really draws you in to the drama behind activism and science, and when the two seem to disagree. I actually had read one of the books at the center of one of the controversies, and it is interesting how people will judge something they haven't read. This attests to the responsibility that leaders have to be honest. If you tell your followers or friends something, they will take your word for it. The author even admits that, since she saw many of these controversies from the outside, she also believed the "party line" as it were. I learned a few new things about ideas that I had just accepted. The hope of the author is that one day we will work together to discover truth, whether that truth is uncomfortable or not. Our beliefs should not stymie research just because the knowledge might force us to view the world differently.
This is a book that should be discussed in schools.
This is a book that should be discussed in schools.
jcsterlace's review against another edition
2.0
To be honest, I think my inability to enjoy or appreciate this book had everything to do with its format. I didn't expect it to be such a memoir, and I just didn't enjoy the telling.
alaynahronek's review against another edition
5.0
A well-written, intriguing, and compelling book. I learned a lot about how science, "morality", identity, progress, and medicine are constantly fighting and working together to figure things out. Alice Dreger does an excellent job of breaking down big concepts and detailing their evolution. Absolutely fascinating.
maryjoens's review against another edition
3.0
~3.5 stars - conflicted feelings about this one. It's much more of a memoir than I was anticipating, focused more specifically on the author's tangled experiences with science and activism than the broader tensions between those two spheres. But it's mostly balanced and empathetic toward all of its subjects (despite occasionally veering into petty territory), which I can certainly appreciate.
michigancolt's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
treehuggeranonymous's review against another edition
4.0
A must read for any would be researchers. This book really made me think about my own biases and the impact of research.
A very well written book with an interesting narrative.
A very well written book with an interesting narrative.