From the first page of Quack Quack: The Threat of Pseudoscience, Dr. Joe Schwarcz plays the charming host in a bustling kitchen of ideas, where he’s intent on debunking the dubious “recipes” that claim to heal, nourish, or enlighten without a shred of evidence. What he offers is not soul-soothing comfort food — but something far more invigorating: a menu of scientifically grounded clarity served with wit and irreverence. Joe Schwarcz PhD, CM – Director | Office for Science and Society – McGill University
At its core, Quack Quack is like the ultimate tasting menu in critical thinking. Every short chapter works like a small course, each with its own curious flavour: a splash of snake oil here, a dollop of “raw water” there, a garnish of detox myths and ear-candling folklore. Schwarcz invites readers to savor the absurdity of something like alkaline water touted as a panacea — pointing out, with deliciously dry humour, that even if it did shift your blood’s pH, you’d be dead before you noticed.
This is not a dry textbook; it’s a culinary romp through the kitchen of pseudoscience. Schwarcz’s prose is light yet incisive, spiced with sarcasm that adds flavour without overt bitterness. His mockery of the esoteric language that sells dubious products — the buzzwords strung together exactly like a confusing menu description that sounds interesting but offers nothing of substance — is particularly satisfying.
Throughout the book, the host cheekily debunks one outlandish claim after another: bizarre “fermented cabbage juice cures,” “double helix water,” bracelets that allegedly emit healing magnetism — all laid bare like dishes exposed under harsh kitchen lights. Readers who enjoy seeing hype and hyperbole disassembled will relish these moments.
Dr. Schwarz refers to an ancient ritual of placing a crab on the site of a tumor for the crab to absorb all the life threatening cancer and people thought by destroying the crab, they would also destroy the disease. This is why the zodiac symbol for Cancer is the crab. As a nod to that history, we bring you the Shrimp and Crab Tarts in our Recipe section. No astrology needed!
What makes Schwarcz’s approach especially appealing is his balance of entertainment and education. He isn’t merely a science professor preaching from on high — he uses historical anecdotes and modern examples with a deft touch that keeps the pace brisk and engaging. Instagram
But Quack Quack isn’t just about ridicule; it serves a practical sauce on the side: a final chapter filled with tips on how to evaluate claims critically. These guidelines act as palate cleansers, reminding us that in a world overflowing with misinformation, informed skepticism is not just an intellectual delight — it’s essential. You can get a copy of the book at https://ecwpress.com/products/quack-quack or win this insightful exposé in our Giveaway section.
If you relish science that’s accessible, thought-provoking, and delivered with humour, Quack Quack is like discovering a hidden gem. It’s a must-read for anyone hungry for truth in an era where slick marketing often masquerades as nourishment. Even if you’ve read other works on quackery, Schwarcz’s blend of scholarship and wit gives this book a flavour all its own. Entertaining, enlightening, and a little bit zesty — this book is not just a critique of pseudoscience, it’s a call to taste reality before swallowing myth whole.
Contents and images used with permission by ECW Press. https://ecwpress.com/products/quack-quack