Exploring the Unfortunate History of Quack Medicine: A Look at the Worst Cures Throughout History

Vin B: Chapters are arranged by each toxic substance

United States on Aug 25, 2023

Kindle Customer: Written with humor. From the very first page you are drawn along thanking God you live now and not then.

Canada on Aug 04, 2023

E. Greene: LOVED this book. The writing is so entertaining, and so many fun facts included for those of us who enjoy non-fiction. I can’t tell you how many times I <<audibly>> laughed out loud (or snorted) reading this! LOLing is A little awkward on early morning or late night flights, but totally worth it. I would often have to read my friends/family passages of it because they were so *golden*. ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT and have been recommending it to all my friends! Was going to lend it to my dad who has a medical background but I’m just going to buy him a copy instead so I don’t have to give up my copy!

United States on May 04, 2023

Jamie and Heather Hejduk: The humor and sarcasm surrounding all the facts in Quackery is what makes it such an enjoyable book. A couple of the later chapters were mostly missing that humor and I found that part rather dreadful to read. The humor came back before the end of the book, though. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about the history of medicine.

United States on Apr 20, 2023

DLT: I was impressed with the layout of the book. But that's where the appreciation for this book stops. This book lacks accuracy and context. There is no bibliography or endnotes; so, I can only comment on what I have researched.

As a physician and medical historian, I am disappointed in the missed opportunity to offer a more contextual narrative on quack medicine. In the end, the content is a cluster of historical facts, but misses context and lacks accuracy. One example is how Chinese medicine is portrayed in the book from bloodletting to cupping. Comments include passing judgment on excerpts from an ancient Classical Chinese text without understanding the fundamental theories and language that support such statements. Therefore, the wisdom of ancient medicine gets taken out of context. Really disappointing because people are searching for the best ways to take care of themselves. Quackery has been around for a long time, but allopathic medicine is not the only game in town. It's just the dominant narrative, and medical schools don't teach medical history in a fair and balanced way. That's something left for physicians to do after their education. Hopefully, this will change...

United States on Mar 17, 2023

Customer: I am really enjoying reading this book. For those who should be studying their medical textbooks but want a break without feeling guilty for taking a break from studying this is a great choice. I wish they taught more medical history in school but since they do not here is your opportunity to learn while being entertained. If you read this book in public prepare to gasp in disgust/horror or laugh out loud…you truly won’t be able to help it!

Canada on Feb 16, 2023

AMBER: I enjoyed learning about different methods for treating illness through the centuries. While medicine has come far, there are still a lot of tricks being pushed on and by people.

United States on Dec 24, 2022

Jan of Leeds: One of the best books I've read in a long while. Informative, full of interesting and surprising facts told with such humour that I was crying with laughter at certain points (even if the subject matter was in reality quite horrifying). It's amazing how human nature is still the same no matter what era we live in. The book is written in an easy to read, well structured manner and made me want to swipe each page asap. Couldn't put it down and I was hungry for more when I'd finished. Please write more. You make a fantastic team!

United Kingdom on Jun 17, 2022

Kindle Customer: This book was fascinating; a great fit for anyone interested in medicine and history. It cleverly intertwines, both education and humour. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would certainly recommend it!

Canada on Jan 12, 2022

Ian Chadwick: A fun read, and lightly written without descending into pedantry. Lots of areas, lots of "cures" and practices of which I knew little to nothing, so I really enjoyed what is within. However, most of what they cover is historical, not current, and thus exists solely as a curiosity in the archives. Not much of what they describe is still practiced today. That, of course, is a good thing, but leaves the reader wondering why some are still in use.

I was deeply disappointed that the number one quackery still in service today - homeopathy - gets not even a mention despite it also having historical roots and a huge modern following. Other popular quackeries like iridology and phrenology get none, either; reflexology gets a single line. I would have preferred a book that included more modern practices including acupuncture, naturopathy and chiropractic codswallop.

Canada on Apr 21, 2018