Brian Deer is a veteran British investigative journalist, best known for his inquiries into the drug industry, medicine, and social issues for the Sunday Times of London. Among his awards, Deer was twice named the UK’s specialist reporter of the year, and in 2016 he was made Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) by York St. John University.
‘It’s a remarkable story and this is a remarkable book … Helping to
explain the political and social predicament that now afflicts so
many of us — the crisis in truth and its exploitation by people
without scruple.’
*The Times, ‘Book of the Week’*
‘Brian Deer’s definitive account of Andrew Wakefield’s fraudulent
attempt to link the onset of autism in children with the MMR
vaccine could not be better timed … gripping.’
*The Sunday Times*
‘Andrew Wakefield is one of the darkest figures of our time,
personally responsible for launching a mass panic about vaccines
that has resulted in a resurgence of deadly childhood epidemics
worldwide. He has also caused untold grief to misguided parents who
view this con-man as a saviour, and to autistic people who face
further stigma by being falsely portrayed as ‘vaccine-damaged’.
Written with the meticulousness of a journalist determined to find
out the truth and the pulse-pounding pacing of a thriller, The
Doctor Who Fooled the World is a profoundly important book.’
*Steve Silberman, author of Neurotribes: the legacy of autism
and the future of neurodiversity*
‘Seldom … has any new book been more timely than The Doctor Who
Fooled the World.’
*The Sunday Times*
‘Comprehensive.’
*The Telegraph*
'A brilliant book.’
*Kevin and Ash, talkRadio*
‘The Doctor Who Fooled the World is a definitive account of the
most consequential medical fraud of the twentieth century and of
investigative reporter Brian Deer's role in uncovering it. Deer's
book is a compelling reminder of what great investigative
journalism looks like and why it matters.’
*Kathleen Hall Jamieson, PhD, author of Cyberwar and director of
the Annenberg Public Policy Center*
‘Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and Deer shines some of the
brightest rays yet to reveal the rotten heart of one of the
greatest public health frauds in history.’
*Dr Zubin Damania, University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of
Medicine, and host of ZDoggMD Show*
‘A magnificent book. Too few people know how greed and deceit
conspired to create the myth that vaccines cause autism. Only Brian
Deer can tell that whole story, because he uncovered all of its
chilling twists and turns.’
*Dr Ivan Oransky, president of the Association of Health Care
Journalists and co-founder of Retraction Watch*
‘As a paediatrician, I’ve witnessed with fury the impact that
Andrew Wakefield’s fraudulent science has had on the health of
children. This brilliantly written book is a must-read.’
*Dr Su Laurent, author of Your Baby Month By Month: what to
expect from birth to 2 years*
‘An extraordinary story of medical fraud and scaremongering, told
by the courageous and tenacious journalist who revealed the
truth.’
*Simon Singh, author of Fermat’s Enigma*
‘This riveting history of Andrew Wakefield’s career as an advocate
for the discredited link between the measles vaccine and autism
serves as a stirring demonstration of the process and power of
investigative journalism … Deer recounts uncovering Wakefield’s
deceptions thanks to testimony from disillusioned parents of study
participants and guidance from more meticulous scientists … Readers
who love a good debunking will find Deer’s narrative logical,
exciting, and enraging.’
*Publishers Weekly*
‘Riveting from start to finish. Thankfully, reporters like Brian
Deer exist. He is not afraid to look into the eyes of the Grim
Reaper and to fight back on behalf of all of us for whom scientific
rigour is so important, but also perhaps more importantly, for the
families whose lives have so often been devastated by
misinformation and bad science.’
*Ava Easton, Chief Executive, Encephalitis Society*
‘At times Deer’s book reads more like a thriller, and reveals the
extent to which an ostensibly empirical scientific endeavour can be
distorted by the subjectivity of human nature.’
*The Australian*
‘Well argued and entertainingly written.’
*GPSpeak*
‘Very detailed yet easy to read story of the events … It’s
investigative journalism at its best and medical research at its
worst … The Doctor Who Fooled the World is a fantastically detailed
look at why we need investigative journalism and the global effect
of misinformation.’
*Sam Still Reading*
‘Mind-boggling … Every chapter drops your jaw.’
*The Big Think*
‘Although many people think they know this now-infamous story, it
is likely they are unaware of all its dramatic details.’
*Science*
‘Deer has been on the front line investigating this scandal for
more than a decade, and his book is captivating on many levels …
This stunning work sounds an urgent message and demonstrates the
essential role of investigative journalism in uncovering the
truth.’
*Foreword Reviews*
‘Seldom has any new book been more timely than The Doctor Who
Fooled the World … At times the book reads more like a thriller
than a journalistic investigation.’
*The Sunday Times Magazine*
‘It’s fantastic … I couldn’t put it down. It was absolutely
enthralling, disturbing, and it had me on the edge of my seat the
whole way through.’
*Heidi Robertson, host of The Skeptic Zone*
‘In this coronavirus age, where conspiracy theories run rampant,
it’s an essential reminder: facts matter.’
*The Weekly Times*
‘Riveting … a compelling portrait of hubris and the terrible dark
shadow it can cast.’
*Nature*
‘Exposing researchers who lie, cheat and fake their data often
requires the work of courageous whistleblowers or tenacious
investigative journalists. Enter Brian Deer, an award-winning
reporter for the Sunday Times of London.’
*The Wall Street Journal*
‘This is storytelling at its best … And this is ultimately,
investigative journalism at its best … The Doctor Who Fooled the
World does an amazing job of taking you to the beginnings of
the modern-day anti-vax movement, opening your eyes to the ulterior
motives of the man who lit the match and started a fire that sadly,
can't seem to be put out.’
*Mums at the Table*
‘This book is the whole story.’ 4.5 STARS
*The Advertiser*
‘The Doctor Who Fooled The World provides a damning indictment
of the processes and procedures against scientific fraud in medical
academe … The great strength of Deer’s book is how he clearly
explains the issues associated with medical and scientific research
in the specialised area of vaccinations. His account is readily
accessible to persons without such knowledge or training. The
Doctor Who Fooled The World should be read by all of us for
its explanation of campaigns against vaccination – battles between
science and superstition, science and pseudo-science – which, if
not put to rest, will have devastating consequences for all of
us.’
*The Newtown Review of Books*
‘Deer’s book contains everything you would ever want to know about
the Wakefield MMR-autism fraud, and then some. He is the great
expert on this matter.’
*Fortean Times*
Ask a Question About this Product More... |