Monkeys, Myths, and Molecules: Separating Fact from Fiction in the Science of Everyday Life

In 1858, chemist August Kerkulé recounted a dream that eventually served as the basis for his theory of molecular structure. In the vision, atoms "gambol[ed]" about, joining in pairs and chains, behaving in a manner later parodied by a cartoon in which monkeys seized one another's tails. Schwarcz (office for science and society, McGill Univ.) posits that such dreams can be productive for scientific innovation, but they must be separated from proven fact—a task that the author undertakes here. In dozens of short chapters, he interrogates ideas about health, nutrition, and daily life, exploring topics that range from the health benefits of a sugar-free diet to the psychedelic qualities of specific plants and the effect of music on milk production. He indicates weaknesses in scientific studies and questions the assumptions of personalities such as Dr. Oz. At one point, Schwarcz reminisces about his early days when he checked facts against the Encyclopedia Britannica, and this book similarly acts as a kind of almanac or handbook brimming with curious anecdotes and studies. Ultimately, the author successfully demonstrates how claims should be queried and analyzed before they are accepted.