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#FridayReads, March 29–‘Heretics: Adventures with the Enemies of Science’

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Saturday update–


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Heretics#FridayReads, March 29—The Heretics: Adventures with the Enemies of Science by British journalist Will Storr. I posted this book as a #FridayReads March 8, so it should be clear it is not a quick read. However, it should also be clear that I’ve stayed with it because reading it is a very rewarding experience. Storr’s investigation blends spot reporting from such locales as a revival meeting in Australia led by a creationist preacher with consideration of the placebo theory and homeopathy and its detractors. Like Jon Ronson, another British author with whom I’ve compared Storr, the author of this book is an affable guide who successfully inveigles his way on to a tour bus of Holocaust deniers led by disgraced former historian David Irving and in to a conversation with the churlish defender of Hitler. I’m reading the last 40 pages now where Storr probes the question of whether James Randi deserves the status he’s widely accorded as the ‘world’s most noble skeptic.’ Storr, shall we say, has some doubts. I recommend this thoughtful and nuanced book most highly. I first read about this book in the Guardian last January and I’m glad I was able to get a copy from Picador, Storr’s obliging UK publisher.

Please note: you may visit a ‘buy page’ for this book at the website of Powell’s Books–the affiliate bookseller for The Great Gray Bridge–by clicking on this book link: The Heretics: Adventures with the Enemies of Science.

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#FridayReads, March 8–“The Heretics” by Will Storr

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Heretics#FridayReads, March 8–The Heretics: Adventures with the Enemies of Science by Will Storr, a reporter’s journey through the nether regions of pseudo-science, religious fundamentalism, Holocaust deniers, climate change skeptics, and their ilk. I first heard of Storr’s book when I read his account of traveling with the odious David Irving to former concentration camps where the disgraced historian preached his so-called gospel to true believers that masses of Jews and other minorities were not annihilated during WWII.

Like Jon Ronson, author of  The Men Who Stare at Goats, The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry, and Them: Adventures With Extremists, whose books I made #FridayReads in December 2011 and again in January 2012, Storr is an affable traveler who is able to ingratiate himself with fringe characters, hang out with them, plumb the depths of their irrationality, and deliver a compelling story to readers. I highly recommend his book, and those by Jon Ronson. Them

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#Fridayreads/Jan. 20

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#fridayreads Finished THEM: Adventures w/Extremists by @jonronson–wow, weird characters, affable narrator. Started EX LIBRIS, Ross King’s novel told by 1600s London bookseller. Vivid portrait of the city and the book trade, w/mystery hovering.

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#Fridayreads/Jan. 6

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Finishing Philip Kerr’s spellbinding Field Gray; began Jon Ronson’s Them: Adventures w/Extremists. I dig Ronson’s  brand of participatory journalism, having earlier enjoyed his Men Who Stare at Goats and The Psychopath Test: Inside the Madness Industry.

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#Fridayreads/Dec. 23

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#fridayreads Just finished reading one of Archer Mayor’s great Joe Gunther mysteries, ‘The Ragman’s Memory’ and listening to compelling audiobook of ‘The Psychopath Test: Inside the Madness Industry’ voiced by author Jon Ronson. Now moving on to read his ‘Men Who Stare at Goats.’ Ronson’s a great reporter w/obsessive interests that mirror my own.

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