The Fly in the Ointment: 70 Fascinating Commentaries on the Science of Everyday Life

by Joe Schwarcz

Dr. Joe Schwarcz breaks down the fascinating chemistry all around us in this intriguing look at everyday science From pesticides and environmental estrogens to lipsticks and garlic, the science that surrounds us can be mystifying. Why do some people drill holes in their heads for “enlightenment”? How did a small chemical error nearly convict the unfortunate Patricia Stallings for murdering her son? Where does the expression “take a bromide” come from? Dr. Joe Schwarcz investigates aphrodisiacs, DDT, bottled water, vitamins, barbiturates, plastic wrap, and smoked meat. He puts worries about acrylamide, preservatives, and waxed fruit into perspective and unravels the mysteries of bulletproof vests, weight loss diets, and “mad honey.” From the fanciful to the factual, Dr. Joe enlightens us all ― no drills attached.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Essays, Medical, Chemistry

298 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

Dr. Joe Schwarcz holds a PhD in chemistry and is host of the radio program The Dr. Joe Show, directo of McGill University's Office for Science & Society and the author of fourteen bestselling books. Well known for his informative and entertaining lectures, Dr. Schwarcz has received numerous awards for teaching and deciphering science for the public.

Reviews

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and quirky, this book debunked some beliefs of mine (DDT= unmitigated evil, for one), and told some riveting tales I'd never dreamt could be true. Direct and immediate writing style, big ol' sense of humor.

[Earl Grey Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you read a recent sensational headline about some chemical in our everyday products that could potentially harm you? Then this is a book that you should read.

Here are some of my takeaways from the book:
1) I (like the general public) am very ignorant about chemistry.
2) There are downsides with any chemical. However, the benefits that these chemicals provide to our lives greatly outweigh any extremely minute risk when used properly.
3) Workers who work with such chemicals (and are exposed much more greatly than the consumer) are tested regularly to look for adverse effects of long term exposure.

Joe Schwarcz writes in a manner that is for the most part easy to follow and the wit he folds into all of his segments is a nice bonus. As you get to closer to the end of the book, the author starts to dive deeper into the realm of chemical terminology. At these points, I would tend to gloss over and get to the part on how this situation applies to everyday life.

The Fly in the Ointment was fun and helped me better understand what impact chemicals have on our lives. I didn't need to take a class is chemistry to enjoy this book, but having some of that knowledge would probably help me appreciate what I learned even more.

[Eboni Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does a decent job explaining chemistry and biology in "plainspseak" and laymans terms. He uses everyday items and functions to make science relatable to just about everyone.

There are some points during the book where Dr. Schwarcz gets a bit more technical and wordy than the average person would enjoy, and me, an average person, definitely glossed over those sections.

Overall, I enjoyed the book but I did find some of the commentaries more interesting than others.

[Leo Saumure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Joe Schwarcz! Great information and fun to learn!

[Heidi Hisrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been years since I read this, but I found it to be totally engaging and want to re-read it soon.

[David Mcmahon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out fun….but got old quickly. Lost interest and did not finish.

[Laurel · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot of really interesting, random knowledge to be gleaned from this one. It's formatted as 70 two- to four-page stories, each one concerning a specific application of chemistry to a historical event or everyday life. After a while, the little "witticisms" at the end of each blurb got on my nerves. Props to the author on throwing in some cool etymology, though!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

so interesting! sometimes the science was a little over my head but i prefer that than being talked down to. each essay is a perfect length and gets at the meat of a scientific query without going overboard. i wish i could retain even a quarter of what i read in here. will probably go back and reread certain essays.

[Mscout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Schwarcz goes through a litany of scientific and pseudo-scientific claims in this work which reads like a collection of blog posts (but that is not necessarily a bad thing.) Reminded me somewhat of Proofiness.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essentially a lot of interesting trivia with a little too much dad humour. Guy sounds really friendly and a lot of those topics are important, making these almost PSAs, but in the end it's not going to rock your world view (I hope).

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

strays too much

[Steve Rueffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quick reads to bring you up to speed with myth, folklore and fact from a biochemists point of view. Accessible to all levels of readers, but poignant with scientific detail.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting... And a fun reminder that we should all be good consumers of "scientific knowledge"

[Mikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book giving little-known info about everyday things. It had a scientific bent, but was easy for this old English major to understand.

[lesleymac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loses major points with me because there are no footnotes or bibliography.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody talks chemicals and not Chemistry. I liked this book because it does talk of the chemistry.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's good to read some myth debunking science books now and then just to keep one on a sound thinking path. This book was fun in that regard covering the gamut of everyday chemistry

[Bartek Krupa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy really has a talent to mix science facts with everyday life issues

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting...........it's a story that can happen.

[Stef · Rating 4 out of 5]

second read: still a great book, only 4 starts as it is not memorable.
first read: great book, need to read it again as it is packed with interesting and fascinating facts.