Chunky lively art explains the scientific method. Good for middle schoolers. All references are to websites. ( )

This book caught my eye on a recent trip to the bookstore, and I bought it on impulse. A non-fiction graphic "novel" about science denialism and various quackery? I mean, how could I resist?

Cunningham chose topics that are intentionally controversial. The kinds of things that cause comment wars in science blogs over and over again: The Moon Hoax, Homeopathy, Chiropractic, The MMR Vaccination Scandal, Evolution, Fracking, and Climate Change. Which is exactly how they appear in the table of comments, though there is also a final chapter on Science Denialism in general.

This was a fast read, visceral and concise. That makes the essays great nuggets for urging on a science-denying friend, but I sometimes wished for a little less brevity, particularly in the Moon Hoax chapter, But what I do particularly like about this book is that Cunningham does not try to set himself up as the ultimate authority on any of these issues. Rather, what he is promoting is the scientific method itself -- which, by its very nature is open to new conclusions should new evidence become available.

So, yes. There are a few chapters that I'm yearning to find a tactful way to force on some particular friends who jumped instantly to mind. If that process is successful, this book will have paid for itself in spades. Until then, I suppose it can find a happy enough spot on my shelves. ( )

Science writer and cartoonist Cunningham effectively uses the comics medium to expose controversial ideas and concepts. With comics, photographs, diagrams, and text amazingly free of scientific jargon, Cunningham painstakingly debunks nutcases and challenges skeptics. The moon hoax, homeopathy, chiropractic, the MMR vaccination scandal, evolution, fracking, and climate change fall under the author's cool, critical analysis. While the intelligent and witty Cunningham ruffles feathers from both sides of most of these debates, How to Fake a Moon Landing promises an entertaining and important piece of investigative science journalism. ( )

Although it is light reading, it would be great for teens, and even adults, who only have marginal scientific literacy. It covers a number of topics often debated rather poorly by the public, including moon landing denial, homeopathy, chiropractic, vaccinations and climate change. Nicely done. ( )

4Q, 4P
This is an excellent read done in an accessible graphic-novel format. This graphic novel covers a wide variety of the science myths prevalent in our culture, with a particular focus on medicine and environmental issues. I gave the book a four in both popularity and quality. It should appeal to a wide variety of audiences based on two factors. First, its graphic-novel style gives the scientific content an easy to approach, non-daunting access point. Secondly, The scientific method is defended in the novel using current hot-button issues that most readers will connect to because of a high relevance to their daily lives. The arguments that Darryl makes in debunking many popular scientific myths are compelling and well-reasoned. I particularly enjoyed the detail in which Darryl explains the reasoning behind some of the pseudo-science he dispels, so that it is possible to understand why people buy into the false theories. The one flaw in his presentation is that he uses dramatic examples to prove his points, which could be argued to be unscientific as they sway readers' opinions. However, without this personal interest the book would be dry and so Darryl's choice is not so much unethical as it is an intentional way to garner interest in a possibly dull subject. ( )