Free Radicals: The Secret Anarchy of Science - Softcover

Brooks, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1846684056 ISBN 13: 9781846684050

Publisher: Profile Books, 2011

Synopsis

For more than a century, science has cultivated a sober public image for itself. But the truth is very different: many of our most successful scientists have more in common with libertines than librarians. This thrilling exploration of some of the greatest breakthroughs in science reveals the extreme lengths some scientists go to in order to make their theories public. Inspiration can come from the most unorthodox of places: Nobel laureates sometimes get their ideas through drugs, dreams and hallucinations.

Science is a highly competitive and ruthless discipline, and only its most determined and passionate practitioners make headlines - and history. That's why fraud, suppressing evidence and unethical or reckless PR games are sometimes necessary to bring the best and most brilliant discoveries to the world's attention. In science, anything goes.

About this title

Review:

Entertaining ... engagingly written ...a worthwhile read for budding explorers of new worlds (Independent)

A salutary reminder that scientists are as human and fallible as anyone else (Steve Jones Daily Telegraph)

Tightly plotted tales of rebellion, drug use and Machiavellian intrigue in the pursuit of enlightenment (We Love This Book)

Brooks' take on science is not just ingenious, it's also hilarious (George Lamb)

Fun to read. Brooks ... capers through the exploits of scores of brilliant and often ruthless rogues - some living, many long dead - who have won Nobel prizes or otherwise pushed science forward. Some of its biggest names turn out to be the dirtiest players (Financial Times)

Brooks outs the extremist boffins - mad, bad and dangerous to know (The Times 2011-07-16)

A typically provocative claim from a book that wants to strip the white lab coat off scientists and expose the hairy humanity beneath ... celebrates a rough and hairy side of science, and does so entertainingly (Sunday Times 2011-07-17)

Colourful ...fascinating and serious demonstration of how human foibles and creativity are inseparable, and how this fact is not so dangerous after all (Steven Poole Guardian 2011-07-16)

A call to arms ... Not some idealistic crusade; it has important implications (Alok Jha BBC Focus)

Clear and concise ... conveys an infectious enthusiasm ... brimming with colourful anecdotes (Morning Star)

Book Description:

Scientists present themselves as cool, logical and level-headed, but the truth is they will do anything: take drugs, steal, lie and even cheat - in the pursuit of new discoveries

About this edition

• Publisher: Profile Books
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1846684056
• ISBN 13: 9781846684050
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320