Trick Or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine

Simon Singh, Edzard Ernst

W. W. Norton & Company, Aug 17, 2008 - Medical - 342 pages

The truth about the potions, lotions, pills and needles, pummelling and energizing that lie beyond the realms of conventional medicine.

Whether you are an ardent believer in alternative medicine, a skeptic, or are simply baffled by the range of services and opinions, this guide lays to rest doubts and contradictions with authority, integrity, and clarity. In this groundbreaking analysis, over thirty of the most popular treatments—acupuncture, homeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology, chiropractic, and herbal medicines—are examined for their benefits and potential dangers. Questions answered include: What works and what doesn't? What are the secrets, and what are the lies? Who can you trust, and who is ripping you off? Can science decide what is best, or do the old wives' tales really tap into ancient, superior wisdom?In their scrutiny of alternative and complementary cures, authors Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst also strive to reassert the primacy of the scientific method as a means for determining public health practice and policy.

What people are saying

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - hcubic - LibraryThing

"Trick or Treatment" is a critical (very critical) examination of several varieties of alternative medicine. I was surprised to see Simon Singh as lead coauthor of a book about health because I know ...

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - amarcobio - LibraryThing

That's the book Ialways wanted to read about alternative medicine, and I was very happy when it was released. Itīs a great read and gives loads of arguments to be vigilant with alternative medicine approaches. Fully packed with scientific references. A unique book.

About the author

Simon Singh, science journalist, tv producer, and best-selling author, lives in London. His books include Trick or Treatment, Fermat’s Enigma, The Code Book, and Big Bang.

Edzard Ernst, based at the University of Exeter, is the world’s first professor of complementary medicine. He is the author of numerous books for professionals, including The Oxford Handbook of Complementary Medicine.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Trick Or Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine; Norton paperback
• Authors: Simon Singh, Edzard Ernst
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, 2008
• ISBN: 0393066614, 9780393066616
• Length: 342 pages
• Subjects: Medical / Alternative & Complementary Medicine; Science / Research & Methodology