quacks and quackery

A consumer's guide to alternative medicine, such as homeopathy, acupuncture, and faith healing, that discusses theories behind such treatments, successful frauds, and other related topics and offers advice on how to avoid getting taken advantage of.

"Looking back with fascination, horror, and not a little dash of dark, knowing humor, Quackery recounts the lively, at times unbelievable, history of medical misfires and malpractices. Ranging from the merely weird to the outright dangerous, here are dozens of outlandish, morbidly hilarious "treatments"--conceived by doctors and scientists, by spiritualists and snake oil salesmen --that were predicated on a range of cluelessness, trial and error, and straight-up scams."--Provided by publisher.

"Modern doctors spend years studying science and the human body. But doctors in the past didn't have the same understanding we have today. Read this book to learn all about the history of doctors and their medical knowledge"--Provided by publisher.

Considers the possibility that aliens exist and presents evidence for and against this assumption. Relates stories of possible alien sightings and includes color photographs and a glossary.

Presents twelve lessons in recognizing "junk science," explaining how to tell when statistics concerning health issues have been manipulated to further a policy agenda.

Presents famous alien stories and briefly examines the claims, ultimately stating there is no hard proof of aliens.

A guide to everyday health problems in which the effectiveness of various brand name products are composed.

Describes fraudulent remedies and their peddlers over the centuries, probes the reasons people are easily deceived, and offers advice on how to avoid falling prey to false promises.