The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science

A Scientist's Warning

By: Peter J. Hotez MD PhD

Narrated by: Graham Winton

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, one renowned scientist, in his famous bowtie, appeared daily on major news networks such as MSNBC, NPR, the BBC, and others.

Dr. Peter J. Hotez often went without sleep, working around the clock to develop a nonprofit COVID-19 vaccine and to keep the public informed. During that time, he was one of the most trusted voices on the pandemic and was even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his selfless work. He also became one of the main targets of anti-science rhetoric that gained traction through conservative news media.

In this eyewitness story of how the anti-vaccine movement grew into a dangerous and prominent anti-science element in American politics, Hotez describes the devastating impacts it has had on Americans’ health and lives. As a scientist who has endured antagonism from anti-vaxxers and been at the forefront of both essential scientific discovery and advocacy, Hotez is uniquely qualified to tell this story. By weaving his personal experiences together with information on how the anti-vaccine movement became a tool of far-right political figures around the world, Hotez opens listeners’ eyes to the dangers of anti-science. He explains how anti-science became a major societal and lethal force: in the first years of the pandemic, more than 200,000 unvaccinated Americans needlessly died despite the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Even as he paints a picture of the world under a shadow of aggressive ignorance, Hotez demonstrates his innate optimism, offering solutions for how to combat science denial and save lives in the process.

©2023 Johns Hopkins University Press (P)2023 Recorded Books

What, How & Who- but Why??

Peter is a well known & excellent physician-scientist with a useful tale to tell. He does tell in detail about the consequences of their anti-vax movement in lives & careers. He describes the methods used and the people involved. But I learned little of what is most important-WHY. What is the motivation of these pwople doing clearly injurious things to themselves, families & country. Maybe the WHY needs its own book.

A must read.

Everyone needs to read this. The fundamental problem is greater than vaccine fear or science denial. It's deliberate disinformation, magical thinking, ginned-up 'othering' & hatred, and an orchestrated movement to destroy reason and the social pillars of democracy.

A conversation with Dr. Hotez

This book was written in a style where one is in conversation with the author. Yes, it is one sided but one’s questions are usually anticipated and answers and explanations are clear and well presented. A good read and recommended.

Critically important information

I have followed the work of Dr. Hotez since the beginning of the pandemic, and continue to be grateful for his brilliance as well as his calmness in the face of insanity. Anyone who values science and the lifesaving, life-enhancing impact it has had upon our world would appreciate the wisdom and guidance this book offers. For anyone who doesn’t value or believe in science…well, perhaps Dr. Hotez is a good role model when it comes to finding ways to engage with those difficult voices. Screaming at each other has certainly never been effective.

Long term attack on our scientists

Very timely history of the attack on science and scientists up to the present day. This started way before the Covid pandemic and I had been unaware. The vicious personal attacks on our scientists is undermining those who even choose to become scientists. Dr. Hotez offers solutions in the last chapter. Historically no one has supported scientific work and the scientific community because they didn’t need to, The science arena had been apolitical. But now those on the extreme right have made it political and support is needed across all entities of the US so that the US can remain the bastion of scientific progress that has been emblematic of our country around the world. The narration was also good and easy to understand. This book was quite revealing and eye-opening.

A sign of the times

An excellent read on the rise of misinformation and anti-science and its relationship to totalitarianism. A must read for all.

The Truth Be Told!

Dr. Hotus presented a thorough, but frightening, truth about our Countries danger, and our health, due to the dangerous rise and growth of people who have been duped into not believing in science. Our current political status has as much to do with that danger as does the ignorance of the gullible. population that follows those fascist-type ‘leaders🤔🙀.’
I would like to send a congratulatory note to Dr. Hotus but I do not know how to reach him. Perhaps you can pass that along or share with me his contact information. I am a retired Psychologist, PhD, a type of a ‘scientist’ , although not medical, who appreciates the work of the bio-medical scientists and recognizes their extreme value to our lives and our country. Thank God for them.

The more I read, the more Hotez perspectives are confirmed

I've now read books by Anthony Fauci, Francis Collins, who back up the same ideas. Also titles by Bandy Lee and Steven Hassan addressing the mental health aspects of anti science.

This book is serves as an example of brave and dedicated scientists who deserve our support , gratitude and respect.

This books is a rebuke of anti vaccine propaganda and anti science aggression. I would highly recommend this book to other Audible listeners.

informative expertise

I liked the direct, evidentiary perspective; I thought the political perspective of the author lacked effective vigor, but at the same time, I think it presenta an acceptable point of view for a career scientist