Science Tales: Lies, Hoaxes and Scams

(, 2nd edition)

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Description

A documentary comic book debunking myths and exposing the lies of scientific naysayers and conspiracy theorists, and the role of the media. By the author of the best-selling Psychiatric Tales, Darryl Cunningham turns his questioning mind and sharp intelligence to de-coding the myths and lies that have shaped some of the most fiercely-debated issues of the past fifty years.

A graphic milestone of investigative reporting, Science Tales takes on controversies surrounding climate change, electroconvulsive therapy, the moon landing, the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine, homeopathy, evolution, the tobacco industry and science denialism. Thoroughly researched and sourced, Cunningham's clear narrative, graphic lines and photographic illustration explain complicated and controversial issues with deceptive ease. New edition to include chapter on hydraulic fracking.

Reviews

His style is cartoony and raw, but manages to be full of expression and also very evocative. Science Tales deserves a wide audience and even if you haven't tried to read something in comic format before, you'll find this easy to follow on the one hand, and thought-provoking on the other. Bradford Telegraph & Argus; Cunningham packages important scientific topics and tackles them in an easily accessible way. Science Tales is a fun, entertaining and informative read. Books of Shelf; As a science primer that presents complex ideas in a simple, but never simplistic, way, Science Tales cannot be recommended enough. Argument; It can take other authors whole books to say what Darryl can say in a single illustration. Jon Ronson; Informative and engaging... Cunninghams succinct presentation delivers the facts with no prior scientific understanding required. Slings and Arrows; Brilliantly presented, and customarily classy.... Science Tales is impressive, Cunningham delivering his message with style, great art, even moments of outright comedy. Richard Bruton, Forbidden Planet; The artwork is uncluttered, leaving little to distract the reader from the exposition, delivered in stripped-back, staccato prose. New Scientist; Cunningham's art has clean lines and a continuity that is often graceful, charming and endearing. He speaks with quiet authority on his subjects. Independent; Takes a view on such knotty issues as homeopathy and the MMR vaccine, sorting facts from fiction and presenting complex information in a highly accessible way. Observer; Cunningham continues his comics crusade... As usual, he does so with wit, charm, and quiet persistence. Scott McCloud; With simplicity and depth Darryl Cunningham produces cartoons that get to the nub of why understanding the world as it seems to be, is so important. Robin Ince; [Cunningham's] ability to break down relatively complex issues into easily digestible and compelling narratives without ever compromising the points he makes is quite remarkable. Broken Frontier; A clear and thorough survey of the subject, and very important. Brian Fies; It is very compelling once you have started on the story, you read to the end. Dr Judith Mackay, OBE; Secondary school pupils will find this book appealing so should some teachers! School Science Review; Cunningham draws out the fictions and lays bare the facts. Chemistry World; A lovely book which combines its no-nonsense approach with a funny, pro-science attitude. Edzard Ernst, PULSE; Easy to read and entertaining. Comics Worth Reading; With a controlled economy of line and minimalist page layouts, [Cunningham] focuses on the efficient delivery of facts, which makes his comics irresistibly sharable. Mad Art Lab; Science Tales will find its home in classrooms and houses with children, where young people will find it and then prick up their ears... It will remind them that science is a matter of facts, not politics. Comics Alliance; Entertaining even though it also raises some very serious issues... it will get the debate going. BBC Radio York; Book of the Week.... Darryl displays a burgeoning talent as something of an investigative journalist... easy to follow on the one hand, and thought-provoking on the other. Telegraph and Argus; Cunningham writes with the courtroom eloquence of the prosecuting barrister, denouncing the accused in capital letters, his words as precise as his drawing style is hard-edged. Ian Williams; An essentially serious attack on science denialism... Its clear and straightforward at all times, making complex issues simple, but never simplistic. Headline Environment; Wonderfully clear and concise... a great primer for those seeking arguments to undermine their Daily Express-reading uncle. Herald; Cunningham has a real gift for making complex subjects simple... [if you] enjoyed Ben Goldacre's Bad Science, and care about climate change, you'll enjoy this one. Cory Doctorow; A graphic milestone of investigative journalism! Abrams ComicArts; Manages to be somehow simultaneously both succinct and substantive, and a fierce and intelligent promoter of the scientific process over blind superstition and baseless supposition. Andy Oliver, Broken Frontier; A meticulous picking apart of the ridiculous web of half-baked facts and fiction thats often woven around one or two grains of truth. Page 45; What [Darryl is] doing is very important. The dissemination of information is vital as there's such a glut of bad information out there. Vicky Ellis, Frack Free Blackpool

Author Bio

Darryl Cunningham is the award-winning author of Psychiatric Tales, Science Tales, Supercrash: How to Hijack the Global Economy (a New York Times bestseller), Graphic Science and Billionaires, which won the Best Graphic Nonfiction category in the Broken Frontier Awards 2019. Darryls books are sold in the USA and Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, China, India and Korea. He has given talks at the London School of Economics and the City of Arts and Lights, Valencia. In 2015 he was one of 30 world-renowned photographers, painters, sculptors, writers, filmmakers and musicians who were invited to contribute to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations Art of Saving a Life project, to promote vaccination in the developing world. In 2018 he was awarded an Honorary Degree of Master of Arts from Leeds Arts University. He lives in Keighley, Yorkshire.