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Follow the Science: How Big Pharma Misleads, Obscures, and Prevails
Respected Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling author of Stonewalled, The Smear, and Slanted exposes the corruption that has ruled the pharmaceutical industry and news media for decades. Through blatant lies, deep cover-ups, and high-level collusion with government and media, Big Pharma has continuously put profits over people with dangerous results. Now, with her signature investigative rigor and uncompromising commitment to the facts, Sharyl Attkisson takes readers on an eye-opening journey through the dark underbelly of the pharmaceutical industry. Follow the Science recounts, in exacting detail, how far the pharmaceutical industry and its supporters in medicine, media, and government will go to protect their profits. Attkisson provides shocking examples that reveal the disturbing callousness our government, public health officials, and top researchers are capable of when it comes to the most vulnerable among us. And she explains, in a graphic sense, how some of the most trusted within our society are willing to commit life-threatening ethics violations. When caught, they circle the wagons and marshal forces to defend their bad acts, and take steps to cruelly silence the injured and smear those who would expose them. Big Pharma’s critics are often silenced or labeled “science deniers.” Even major media stories have been suppressed to placate pharmaceutical advertisers. The rift has only grown since the major pharmaceutical companies and their allies attacked anyone who dared to question the Covid-19 vaccines, and new treatments that provided disappointing despite skyrocketing costs. Follow the Science will challenge your assumptions, open your eyes, and inspire you to take action. With its powerful message of truth and justice, this book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of our healthcare system and their own family's health.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 3, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
October 4, 2024
It’s been a long time since I reviewed a book that I gave up on. I always figure that I just won’t waste my time. It’s also extremely rare that I stop reading a book by someone I disagree with. I typically finish it just so I can better understand the viewpoint so I can engage in better discussions with the opposition or just “know the enemy” better. But I had to stop this book because it was not only ridiculous, but it was dangerous in a way that I’m not a fan of. Worst of all, this book baits you in by making you think it’s going to be a sane, rational book.
A book like this is tricky to gauge by the title and description. As a recovering pill addict, I’m extremely skeptical of doctors and Big Pharma, but I also understand that not all doctors and not all medications are bad. When grabbing a book like this, you don’t know if the reader is going to give you a realistic view of the topic and explain how people like the Sackler family are monsters or if it’s going to get into some insane anti-vax stuff.
I’d never heard of the author, so I wasn’t sure which way it’d go. After looking at her previous books, she seemed like she panders to the right a bit, but I still decided to give the book a try. I was concerned about it being an anti-vax book, but I was pleasantly surprised…at first.
The book starts rational enough. It made some really good points about Big Pharma, doctors, how medications are researched and all that. It was really good information, so I figured maybe I was wrong about her. There was somewhat of a green flag when she discussed the Tuskegee experiments, but unsurprisingly, she used this simply as a way to start spouting insanity.
At one point early in the book, the first red flag popped up when she dove into some anti-trans rhetoric. She legitimately talked about how much money, power, and influence LGBTQ organizations have over the government, and I audibly laughed out loud. She made it sound like The Trevor Project has more influence over Washington than companies like Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson.
Then, she goes full anti-vax. Not just COVID anti-vax, either. She dives head first into “vaccines cause autism” terrotory, which has been debunked for years. What really set me off about this book was when she played the victim. She says something along the lines of, “When I write about worker’s rights, I’m pro-worker. But when I write about the dangers of vaccines causing autism, I’m labeled as anti-vax”, and that was a big fat YIKES for me.
After the brief glimpse of sanity early on in the book, it starts getting into chapter after chapter of anti-vax nonsense. It’s a long book, too. Not only did I stop reading it because it was long and I knew it’d be torture, but books like this are extremely dangerous. Psychologically, people assume a long book discussing “the dangers of vaccines” makes it more credible, but in reality, it just gives you more BS to fact check.
This is going to be a book people point to as “evidence” about the dangers of vaccines and God knows what else, so I figured I’d do my due diligence to let you know how awful it was.
A book like this is tricky to gauge by the title and description. As a recovering pill addict, I’m extremely skeptical of doctors and Big Pharma, but I also understand that not all doctors and not all medications are bad. When grabbing a book like this, you don’t know if the reader is going to give you a realistic view of the topic and explain how people like the Sackler family are monsters or if it’s going to get into some insane anti-vax stuff.
I’d never heard of the author, so I wasn’t sure which way it’d go. After looking at her previous books, she seemed like she panders to the right a bit, but I still decided to give the book a try. I was concerned about it being an anti-vax book, but I was pleasantly surprised…at first.
The book starts rational enough. It made some really good points about Big Pharma, doctors, how medications are researched and all that. It was really good information, so I figured maybe I was wrong about her. There was somewhat of a green flag when she discussed the Tuskegee experiments, but unsurprisingly, she used this simply as a way to start spouting insanity.
At one point early in the book, the first red flag popped up when she dove into some anti-trans rhetoric. She legitimately talked about how much money, power, and influence LGBTQ organizations have over the government, and I audibly laughed out loud. She made it sound like The Trevor Project has more influence over Washington than companies like Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson.
Then, she goes full anti-vax. Not just COVID anti-vax, either. She dives head first into “vaccines cause autism” terrotory, which has been debunked for years. What really set me off about this book was when she played the victim. She says something along the lines of, “When I write about worker’s rights, I’m pro-worker. But when I write about the dangers of vaccines causing autism, I’m labeled as anti-vax”, and that was a big fat YIKES for me.
After the brief glimpse of sanity early on in the book, it starts getting into chapter after chapter of anti-vax nonsense. It’s a long book, too. Not only did I stop reading it because it was long and I knew it’d be torture, but books like this are extremely dangerous. Psychologically, people assume a long book discussing “the dangers of vaccines” makes it more credible, but in reality, it just gives you more BS to fact check.
This is going to be a book people point to as “evidence” about the dangers of vaccines and God knows what else, so I figured I’d do my due diligence to let you know how awful it was.
October 28, 2024
citing "posts on the internet" and RFK Jr. as sources does not greatly add to her credibility. Also I did not know that Robert de Niro had a background in science or pharmacology. Other cited sources include Elon Musk, Joe Rogan and Andrew Tate of all people. Lastly what "non violent Jan 6th 2021 attendees" have to do with science is beyond me.
September 4, 2024
Was Sharyls best book yet.
I initially thought this book would be full of information about what happened during Covid, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the pharmaceutical industry and its connections to media.
The sources cited in the audiobook are accurate, and after researching them online, I became aware of how little Americans know about the severely limited government oversight in the Pharma and marketing industry.
I found the Audible recording to be very well done, and Sharyl's voice sounds great.
I'm amazed at the extensive research she put into this book, and I listened to the whole thing in one sitting.
I suggest that anyone who wants to know more about health and how we are heavily influenced by media and the pharmaceutical industry in such a covert manner would do themselves a favor by reading this book.
I initially thought this book would be full of information about what happened during Covid, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the pharmaceutical industry and its connections to media.
The sources cited in the audiobook are accurate, and after researching them online, I became aware of how little Americans know about the severely limited government oversight in the Pharma and marketing industry.
I found the Audible recording to be very well done, and Sharyl's voice sounds great.
I'm amazed at the extensive research she put into this book, and I listened to the whole thing in one sitting.
I suggest that anyone who wants to know more about health and how we are heavily influenced by media and the pharmaceutical industry in such a covert manner would do themselves a favor by reading this book.
December 30, 2024
It started strong with actual science but it devolves into a weird anti-vax screed and bragging about the author’s interactions with “Bob” DeNiro. I had to walk away. I don’t believe vaccines are all wonderful but when you start citing celebrity support as proof of your claims, that’s a bad sign.
December 4, 2024
Most folks trust physicians. Maybe folks get a second opinion, maybe not. If the doctor says to take this prescription, they do. After all, a doctor knows best and has our best interests at heart.
Right?
It's not that your family doctor is necessarily engaged in promoting pharmaceuticals in exchange for an all-expenses paid boondoggle to Bora Bora, although that is a distinct possibility. She may read the research without realizing that the authors may not have written or conducted the study (they are paid to put their names on studies by drug companies), or that the authors were paid to promote a drug or a point of view ("the pharma-government line"). She may also assume that a preponderance of evidence indicates the truth, when it may be that "valid scientific counterpoints or facts are being suppressed" (281). He may believe the attempts to discredit and the ad hominem attacks on scientists whose research counters the information that powerful forces want disseminated. He may not know a host of other issues:
• adverse effects during drug trials are hidden or attributed to pre-existing conditions;
• data is fabricated;
• null results (no effect) are not published;
• the FDA cannot be trusted to conduct thorough testing;
• randomized controlled studies published in peer-reviewed journals;
• drug companies sue researchers and their universities when the results disagree with the desired ones;
• "one-third of studies in neuroscience journals and one-fourth of studies in 'medical journals are made up or plagiarized'" (70).
In the epigraph, Atkisson tells us, "No legitimate scientist ever declared science to be settled." Science is inherently provisional and constantly evolving as new evidence emerges. While some principles are well-supported by overwhelming evidence (e.g., gravity or the link between smoking and cancer), science thrives on continuous questioning, making it more accurate to refer to "current scientific consensus" rather than definitive truth. If everyone understood that, we would strive to become better informed and accept pronouncements as provisional until such time as we learn more. My 92 year-old father understood that, which is why he refused the COVID vaccine.
This week (November, 2024), the FDA Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee unanimously concluded that phenylephrine, with $1.8 billion in sales annually, is ineffective for treating nasal congestion and works no better than a placebo. I bought it once, when Sudafed added it as the main ingredient in 2006, and found immediately it did not work. That is a minuscule fragment of what is transpiring in this country and what is revealed in Follow the Science.
Old-school journalist Atkisson is always in search of the truth, and does not disappoint here. This is one wild ride that will lead the reader to have a healthy mistrust of physicians, research claims, and the government. This is not a question of "Trust, but verify," because enormous payoffs are involved that prejudice the research. This book is not just about prescription drugs; it's about the links between antiperspirants and cancer, autism and vaccines, and, of course, COVID.
An assortment of Atkisson's findings follows:
• At levels thirty times below what the EPA deemed safe, an agrichemical that entered the drinking water caused hermaphroditism in frogs; it is a hormone disruptor that may influence sex identity, the transgender epidemic we observe in children and youth.
o The trans lobby is funded primarily by Big Pharma. Those who want to pretend to be the opposite sex will rely on dangerous cross-sex hormones for their entire lives to facilitate this fantasy, but there is more: an HIV epidemic among that population. 62% of Black men who pretend to be women are HIV+, a majority. This is a "fantastically lucrative market...earning over $1.5 billion a month" (55). Unsurprisingly, that drug maker, Gilead, is the single biggest known funder of trans activist groups."
• Chapter 6 is all about vaccines and the cover-ups of their damage. For a more extensive read about that topic, see my review of • Chapters 9 through 13 and 15 focus on COVID and the falsehoods promulgated about its treatment and prevention, and "[t]he failure of the COVID vaccines to prevent infection, transmission, symptoms or serious illness" (164). Not only was there no benefit of vaccination to people who already had COVID, people who'd already had COVID were more likely to get COVID again after vaccination...and six time more likely to [suffer] serious side effects" (169).
• In chapter 14, we learn that medical schools are beholden to Big Pharma and "the education of our doctors is dictated by the pharmaceutical industry" (245) and "there are countless additional way in which the scientific profession seamlessly advances the pharmaceutical agenda" (252).
The final chapter outlines some ways to discern the truth in science. If a source challenged a narrative, perhaps regarding COVID in the past, or recants a previously held view, his or her credibility is higher. Some suggested sources are the following: Dr. John Abramson, Brownstone Institute, C-SPAN, Children's Health Defense, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Epoch Times, Sharyl Atkisson's own Full Measure on TV and YouTube, and many others. Use reason, logic, and intelligence; educate yourself with a variety of sources.
Instead of Dante's "Abandon hope all ye who enter here," I say, "Take heart all ye who despair." Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and RFK, Jr., et al. are likely to make positive change with the new administration. Do not lose hope, and do not rely on emotion. It is possible to make substantive change. While Atkisson doesn't state this, remember that in the history of the USA, there have been various occasions when the federal government successfully fought powerful corporate interests: the ruling that bankrupted Purdue Pharma, tobacco industry settlements, breakup of Standard Oil and AT&T, the trusts busted by Theodore Roosevelt, and the Sherman and Clayton Antitrust Acts. We can and must lobby for sustained positive change.
Right?
It's not that your family doctor is necessarily engaged in promoting pharmaceuticals in exchange for an all-expenses paid boondoggle to Bora Bora, although that is a distinct possibility. She may read the research without realizing that the authors may not have written or conducted the study (they are paid to put their names on studies by drug companies), or that the authors were paid to promote a drug or a point of view ("the pharma-government line"). She may also assume that a preponderance of evidence indicates the truth, when it may be that "valid scientific counterpoints or facts are being suppressed" (281). He may believe the attempts to discredit and the ad hominem attacks on scientists whose research counters the information that powerful forces want disseminated. He may not know a host of other issues:
• adverse effects during drug trials are hidden or attributed to pre-existing conditions;
• data is fabricated;
• null results (no effect) are not published;
• the FDA cannot be trusted to conduct thorough testing;
• randomized controlled studies published in peer-reviewed journals;
• drug companies sue researchers and their universities when the results disagree with the desired ones;
• "one-third of studies in neuroscience journals and one-fourth of studies in 'medical journals are made up or plagiarized'" (70).
In the epigraph, Atkisson tells us, "No legitimate scientist ever declared science to be settled." Science is inherently provisional and constantly evolving as new evidence emerges. While some principles are well-supported by overwhelming evidence (e.g., gravity or the link between smoking and cancer), science thrives on continuous questioning, making it more accurate to refer to "current scientific consensus" rather than definitive truth. If everyone understood that, we would strive to become better informed and accept pronouncements as provisional until such time as we learn more. My 92 year-old father understood that, which is why he refused the COVID vaccine.
This week (November, 2024), the FDA Nonprescription Drug Advisory Committee unanimously concluded that phenylephrine, with $1.8 billion in sales annually, is ineffective for treating nasal congestion and works no better than a placebo. I bought it once, when Sudafed added it as the main ingredient in 2006, and found immediately it did not work. That is a minuscule fragment of what is transpiring in this country and what is revealed in Follow the Science.
Old-school journalist Atkisson is always in search of the truth, and does not disappoint here. This is one wild ride that will lead the reader to have a healthy mistrust of physicians, research claims, and the government. This is not a question of "Trust, but verify," because enormous payoffs are involved that prejudice the research. This book is not just about prescription drugs; it's about the links between antiperspirants and cancer, autism and vaccines, and, of course, COVID.
An assortment of Atkisson's findings follows:
• At levels thirty times below what the EPA deemed safe, an agrichemical that entered the drinking water caused hermaphroditism in frogs; it is a hormone disruptor that may influence sex identity, the transgender epidemic we observe in children and youth.
o The trans lobby is funded primarily by Big Pharma. Those who want to pretend to be the opposite sex will rely on dangerous cross-sex hormones for their entire lives to facilitate this fantasy, but there is more: an HIV epidemic among that population. 62% of Black men who pretend to be women are HIV+, a majority. This is a "fantastically lucrative market...earning over $1.5 billion a month" (55). Unsurprisingly, that drug maker, Gilead, is the single biggest known funder of trans activist groups."
• Chapter 6 is all about vaccines and the cover-ups of their damage. For a more extensive read about that topic, see my review of • Chapters 9 through 13 and 15 focus on COVID and the falsehoods promulgated about its treatment and prevention, and "[t]he failure of the COVID vaccines to prevent infection, transmission, symptoms or serious illness" (164). Not only was there no benefit of vaccination to people who already had COVID, people who'd already had COVID were more likely to get COVID again after vaccination...and six time more likely to [suffer] serious side effects" (169).
• In chapter 14, we learn that medical schools are beholden to Big Pharma and "the education of our doctors is dictated by the pharmaceutical industry" (245) and "there are countless additional way in which the scientific profession seamlessly advances the pharmaceutical agenda" (252).
The final chapter outlines some ways to discern the truth in science. If a source challenged a narrative, perhaps regarding COVID in the past, or recants a previously held view, his or her credibility is higher. Some suggested sources are the following: Dr. John Abramson, Brownstone Institute, C-SPAN, Children's Health Defense, Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Epoch Times, Sharyl Atkisson's own Full Measure on TV and YouTube, and many others. Use reason, logic, and intelligence; educate yourself with a variety of sources.
Instead of Dante's "Abandon hope all ye who enter here," I say, "Take heart all ye who despair." Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and RFK, Jr., et al. are likely to make positive change with the new administration. Do not lose hope, and do not rely on emotion. It is possible to make substantive change. While Atkisson doesn't state this, remember that in the history of the USA, there have been various occasions when the federal government successfully fought powerful corporate interests: the ruling that bankrupted Purdue Pharma, tobacco industry settlements, breakup of Standard Oil and AT&T, the trusts busted by Theodore Roosevelt, and the Sherman and Clayton Antitrust Acts. We can and must lobby for sustained positive change.
November 27, 2024
I was excited to read a book about vaccinations, my fingers crossed that the data was reliable and truthful. Of course, that was quickly shut down. This author rambles on about old people dying in the nursing home and blaming it on the COVID vaccine (maybe they’re just old?). She also is devout that autism is related to vaccinations. A couple times she mentions, “I’m not against vaccinations, I have mine!” But then goes on and on about how vaccinations are bad for you, etc. Honestly I was so confused the entire time. She is a right winged extremist with no basis for her thoughts other than, “RFK Jr. said it on a podcast!” Dude, RFK has a worm in his brain. We need better sources than someone who’s never worked a day in the medical field.
November 7, 2024
The worst thing about being a conspiracy theorist is being an outdated conspiracy theorist.
Very little science more like follow the money with political spin.
Very little science more like follow the money with political spin.
November 11, 2024
Everyone Should Read
I love the way Atkinson writes and how she explains research and terms. I highly suggest everyone read this book.
I love the way Atkinson writes and how she explains research and terms. I highly suggest everyone read this book.
April 17, 2025
Great book with one Caveat
Sharyl does a great job exposing the corruption in the pharmacy world. This book dives deep into the lies and half-truths of big Pharma and how the government helps keep it that way. This book is easy to read and follow. I took away a star because I was disappointed in how Sharyl does not include footnotes or references on such an important topic (with the exception of one chapter). I would love to have the references to share with friends/family who buy into the lies of big Pharma. Take a look at RFK's book "The Real Anthony Fauci". It has several references/footnotes on every page! That's how this book should be footnoted. I believe every word this book says but, come on Sharyl, give me the proof so I can expose this to my friends and family.
Sharyl does a great job exposing the corruption in the pharmacy world. This book dives deep into the lies and half-truths of big Pharma and how the government helps keep it that way. This book is easy to read and follow. I took away a star because I was disappointed in how Sharyl does not include footnotes or references on such an important topic (with the exception of one chapter). I would love to have the references to share with friends/family who buy into the lies of big Pharma. Take a look at RFK's book "The Real Anthony Fauci". It has several references/footnotes on every page! That's how this book should be footnoted. I believe every word this book says but, come on Sharyl, give me the proof so I can expose this to my friends and family.
January 8, 2025
Book seems to be a well documented expose into the many conflicts of interest between the pharmaceutical companies and the Government. For example, while there is evidence that natural immunity to COVID kicks in, the Government requires everyone to get vaccinated. It sells a lot of (potentially dangerous), but may not provide any benefit to those who have already been sick. So a very useful read.
HOWEVER, Attkisson also lists sources to get the unvarnished truth, and some of them may in fact be useful. When you see an anti-Semitic conspiracist on the list or see Tucker Carlson on the list, it diminishes my trust in her work.
HOWEVER, Attkisson also lists sources to get the unvarnished truth, and some of them may in fact be useful. When you see an anti-Semitic conspiracist on the list or see Tucker Carlson on the list, it diminishes my trust in her work.
April 6, 2025
I came across Follow the Science purely by accident—and in some ways, I wish I hadn’t. Not because it’s a bad book (quite the opposite), but because once you see how deeply corrupted and manipulated so-called “evidence-based medicine” can be, you can’t unsee it.
This book is not sensationalist or conspiratorial—it’s meticulous, well-documented, and calm in tone. And yet, the picture it paints of Big Pharma’s influence on clinical trials, journal publications, medical guidelines, and even public health messaging is nothing short of devastating. It made me question things I had trusted blindly for years.
What hit me hardest was the realization that so much of what gets labeled “safe,” “effective,” or “gold standard” is filtered through financial interests. But the most empowering part came at the end: the author provides a list of independent, non-industry-funded resources for people who want to stay informed without corporate spin. That final section alone is worth the price of the book.
If you want comfort, maybe don’t read this. But if you want clarity, truth, and the tools to navigate modern medicine with your eyes wide open—this is essential reading.
This book is not sensationalist or conspiratorial—it’s meticulous, well-documented, and calm in tone. And yet, the picture it paints of Big Pharma’s influence on clinical trials, journal publications, medical guidelines, and even public health messaging is nothing short of devastating. It made me question things I had trusted blindly for years.
What hit me hardest was the realization that so much of what gets labeled “safe,” “effective,” or “gold standard” is filtered through financial interests. But the most empowering part came at the end: the author provides a list of independent, non-industry-funded resources for people who want to stay informed without corporate spin. That final section alone is worth the price of the book.
If you want comfort, maybe don’t read this. But if you want clarity, truth, and the tools to navigate modern medicine with your eyes wide open—this is essential reading.
October 31, 2024
Sharyl Attkisson's "Follow the Science" exposes significant issues in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly focusing on how corporate interests and government policies often shape health-related information, sometimes at the cost of transparency and public trust. Attkisson argues that flawed systems and unrestrained corporate power are reshaping public health in ways that may undermine medical integrity, putting profits before patient welfare. Chronic diseases and mental health issues continue to surge, yet policy makers appear more focused on protecting pharmaceutical giants than genuinely addressing health concerns. She suggests that skepticism is now not only warranted but essential to understanding these complex dynamics.
Following the 9/11 attacks, bioterrorism fears led to aggressive vaccine initiatives, including a smallpox vaccination program. This well-intentioned effort to protect the population from bioterrorism risks brought unintended consequences. Adverse reactions, such as heart inflammation, underscored the need for careful oversight. NBC journalist David Bloom’s untimely death raised awareness of these risks, but insufficient reporting may have left many similar cases unaddressed. Public health responses to bioterrorism reveal gaps in transparency and raise ethical concerns regarding informed consent, a recurring theme that runs through Attkisson’s analysis of pharmaceutical practices.
The ethical integrity of medical research is critical, but Attkisson highlights how this standard has faltered. In her analysis of the "Support Baby Oxygen Study", she describes how parents of premature infants were misled about a clinical trial’s nature and risks. Without full disclosure, infants faced severe outcomes like blindness and brain damage, demonstrating the importance of transparency in protecting patient rights. Government funding and political pressure often shield such studies from accountability, allowing medical institutions to bypass ethical norms and conduct experiments without sufficient regulatory scrutiny.
Aduhelm, the Alzheimer's drug controversially approved by the FDA, is another example where Attkisson claims that industry influence undermined impartial decision-making. Biogen, Aduhelm’s manufacturer, collaborated closely with the FDA to secure the drug’s approval despite limited evidence of its efficacy, prompting concerns about conflict of interest. The FDA’s approval of other high-cost drugs like Lekembe further fuels these suspicions, with many believing economic motivations influence public health decisions more than scientific merit.
Vaccines are indispensable tools, yet Attkisson contends that the vaccine industry remains mired in secrecy, largely protected from public accountability. Legal frameworks like the Vaccine Court make it challenging for those who suffer vaccine-related injuries to pursue justice. The case of Hannah Poling, whose autism symptoms were reportedly exacerbated by vaccination, highlights the limited recourse available to families. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, early assurances about vaccine efficacy were often contradicted by real-world data, eroding public trust. Attkisson critiques the health authorities’ inconsistent messaging, noting that the public’s faith in medical institutions has been shaken by misleading guidance and policies that favored corporate interests.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the public saw how politics could distort scientific discourse. Attkisson cites the debate over hydroxychloroquine as a prime example of political agendas overshadowing objective science. Though some studies indicated hydroxychloroquine’s potential benefits, media portrayals, partially influenced by political opposition to President Trump’s endorsement of the drug, cast it in a negative light. Remdesivir, a more profitable but less effective drug, received more support, underscoring how financial stakes can overshadow clinical evidence. Attkisson argues that such bias may have sidelined affordable, accessible treatments in favor of lucrative alternatives that serve corporate interests.
Another critical issue is the long-term impact of both COVID-19 and its vaccine on public health. Attkisson draws attention to Long Covid and Long Vax, two emerging conditions with complex symptoms that remain understudied and poorly understood. She suggests that these conditions may be linked to the body’s response to spike proteins, whether from the virus or vaccine, with potential complications ranging from cognitive impairment to cardiovascular issues. Despite their prevalence, discussions about these long-term effects are often limited, with a tendency to downplay any vaccine-related complications.
Ultimately, "Follow the Science" presents a compelling critique of how pharmaceutical corporations and government agencies shape health narratives, often prioritizing profit over public safety. Through detailed case studies, Attkisson argues for greater transparency, accountability, and ethical rigor in public health to restore trust and protect patient welfare.
Following the 9/11 attacks, bioterrorism fears led to aggressive vaccine initiatives, including a smallpox vaccination program. This well-intentioned effort to protect the population from bioterrorism risks brought unintended consequences. Adverse reactions, such as heart inflammation, underscored the need for careful oversight. NBC journalist David Bloom’s untimely death raised awareness of these risks, but insufficient reporting may have left many similar cases unaddressed. Public health responses to bioterrorism reveal gaps in transparency and raise ethical concerns regarding informed consent, a recurring theme that runs through Attkisson’s analysis of pharmaceutical practices.
The ethical integrity of medical research is critical, but Attkisson highlights how this standard has faltered. In her analysis of the "Support Baby Oxygen Study", she describes how parents of premature infants were misled about a clinical trial’s nature and risks. Without full disclosure, infants faced severe outcomes like blindness and brain damage, demonstrating the importance of transparency in protecting patient rights. Government funding and political pressure often shield such studies from accountability, allowing medical institutions to bypass ethical norms and conduct experiments without sufficient regulatory scrutiny.
Aduhelm, the Alzheimer's drug controversially approved by the FDA, is another example where Attkisson claims that industry influence undermined impartial decision-making. Biogen, Aduhelm’s manufacturer, collaborated closely with the FDA to secure the drug’s approval despite limited evidence of its efficacy, prompting concerns about conflict of interest. The FDA’s approval of other high-cost drugs like Lekembe further fuels these suspicions, with many believing economic motivations influence public health decisions more than scientific merit.
Vaccines are indispensable tools, yet Attkisson contends that the vaccine industry remains mired in secrecy, largely protected from public accountability. Legal frameworks like the Vaccine Court make it challenging for those who suffer vaccine-related injuries to pursue justice. The case of Hannah Poling, whose autism symptoms were reportedly exacerbated by vaccination, highlights the limited recourse available to families. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, early assurances about vaccine efficacy were often contradicted by real-world data, eroding public trust. Attkisson critiques the health authorities’ inconsistent messaging, noting that the public’s faith in medical institutions has been shaken by misleading guidance and policies that favored corporate interests.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the public saw how politics could distort scientific discourse. Attkisson cites the debate over hydroxychloroquine as a prime example of political agendas overshadowing objective science. Though some studies indicated hydroxychloroquine’s potential benefits, media portrayals, partially influenced by political opposition to President Trump’s endorsement of the drug, cast it in a negative light. Remdesivir, a more profitable but less effective drug, received more support, underscoring how financial stakes can overshadow clinical evidence. Attkisson argues that such bias may have sidelined affordable, accessible treatments in favor of lucrative alternatives that serve corporate interests.
Another critical issue is the long-term impact of both COVID-19 and its vaccine on public health. Attkisson draws attention to Long Covid and Long Vax, two emerging conditions with complex symptoms that remain understudied and poorly understood. She suggests that these conditions may be linked to the body’s response to spike proteins, whether from the virus or vaccine, with potential complications ranging from cognitive impairment to cardiovascular issues. Despite their prevalence, discussions about these long-term effects are often limited, with a tendency to downplay any vaccine-related complications.
Ultimately, "Follow the Science" presents a compelling critique of how pharmaceutical corporations and government agencies shape health narratives, often prioritizing profit over public safety. Through detailed case studies, Attkisson argues for greater transparency, accountability, and ethical rigor in public health to restore trust and protect patient welfare.
January 6, 2025
Anyone who takes medication, gets vaccines (or has children who do), and thinks that these products have been proven safe and effective, needs to read this book! The author is an investigative journalist (remember when that's what ALL journalists were?) who has documented some of the most heinous coverups imaginable by the government and pharmaceutical companies.
Beginning with a study on preemie babies, whose parents were only told that enrolling their child would help them get support for their special needs. In reality, the study forced these fragile children to be maintained on a specific level of oxygen no matter what their symptoms were, in order to determine whether high oxygen or low oxygen had better outcomes (there are risks with either, and it requires individual interpretation for each preemie).
Or the pesticide atrazine which is banned worldwide except here in the US, despite scientists finding feminization and sterilization of frogs at MUCH LOWER levels than are allowed. Could this be part of the source of the new trend where boys think they are girls and subject themselves to horrific surgeries to further that?
Or the fact that the Covid vaccines which were rushed to market, not only were never required to show safety they were not even required to show effectiveness. And overwhelming evidence is now present to show that unvaccinated people who got Covid developed immunity but vaccinated people continued to get Covid because the vaccine not only does not protect from infection or transmission, it increases the death rate from covid as well as "long covid." But these studies have been suppressed by the powerful pharmacy lobby. And hydroxychloroquinone and ivermectin? Remember all the "disinformation" push on those? Turns out they DO work quite well for many people, but no one would have made money off those so they were squashed and any doctors who tried to use them were discredited as quacks.
These are not just someone's conspiracy theory opinions. The author backs up every one of her assertions with multiple documents obtained through the freedom of information act (when they weren't stonewalling her and illegally refusing to release stuff). Much of it is now found online but you have to ignore Google's pushing you to the official CDC and NIH "info" sites to find it.
The pharmacy industry now controls the media, the medical schools, the "independent" medical journals and much of Congress. The title could also have been "follow the money!"
Beginning with a study on preemie babies, whose parents were only told that enrolling their child would help them get support for their special needs. In reality, the study forced these fragile children to be maintained on a specific level of oxygen no matter what their symptoms were, in order to determine whether high oxygen or low oxygen had better outcomes (there are risks with either, and it requires individual interpretation for each preemie).
Or the pesticide atrazine which is banned worldwide except here in the US, despite scientists finding feminization and sterilization of frogs at MUCH LOWER levels than are allowed. Could this be part of the source of the new trend where boys think they are girls and subject themselves to horrific surgeries to further that?
Or the fact that the Covid vaccines which were rushed to market, not only were never required to show safety they were not even required to show effectiveness. And overwhelming evidence is now present to show that unvaccinated people who got Covid developed immunity but vaccinated people continued to get Covid because the vaccine not only does not protect from infection or transmission, it increases the death rate from covid as well as "long covid." But these studies have been suppressed by the powerful pharmacy lobby. And hydroxychloroquinone and ivermectin? Remember all the "disinformation" push on those? Turns out they DO work quite well for many people, but no one would have made money off those so they were squashed and any doctors who tried to use them were discredited as quacks.
These are not just someone's conspiracy theory opinions. The author backs up every one of her assertions with multiple documents obtained through the freedom of information act (when they weren't stonewalling her and illegally refusing to release stuff). Much of it is now found online but you have to ignore Google's pushing you to the official CDC and NIH "info" sites to find it.
The pharmacy industry now controls the media, the medical schools, the "independent" medical journals and much of Congress. The title could also have been "follow the money!"
November 21, 2024
I’m rating this book 4 stars for readability, but recommend everyone read it. Especially if you have children. I have been traditionally very accepting of the healthcare profession and our governmental health authorities (like the CDC and NIH) but this book was very unsettling and has me questioning much of what the health industry has been telling us. I was interested in the book title after being upset lately with all the drug advertisements on TV. This book addresses that topic and makes me even more disgusted with all those ads. Author Sharyl Attkison is likely referred to as a “quack” or “anti- vaccine” or a “conspiracy theorist” but I will never again trust those labels. She provides a very compelling case for rejecting a lot of what most of us have been told (and believed) throughout the COVID epidemic- including it’s origins and the science behind vaccines. Especially troubling is her research and conclusions on the need and effects of certain vaccines on healthy children. I am left a bit stunned and distrustful. Not a good feeling, but thanks Sharyl for this book and making me question authority once again.
July 27, 2025
The information in this book was so interesting! Hubs and I read this one together and blitzed through it pretty quickly because we just couldn't stop. Some of the information I already knew, but much of it was new. As with most things in life, if you follow the money, you will have all the answers you seek.
The book lost a star because of the author's unabashed bias. She would talk about the Atlantic or Vice News as "left-leaning", but never calls Tucker Carlson or the Epoch Times "right-leaning." She repeatedly tied Democrats to "Big Pharma" but didn't do the same with Republicans. There is plenty of blame on both sides of the aisle and until we recognize that, politicians and big pharma will continue to make lots of money at the expense of the American people.
The book lost a star because of the author's unabashed bias. She would talk about the Atlantic or Vice News as "left-leaning", but never calls Tucker Carlson or the Epoch Times "right-leaning." She repeatedly tied Democrats to "Big Pharma" but didn't do the same with Republicans. There is plenty of blame on both sides of the aisle and until we recognize that, politicians and big pharma will continue to make lots of money at the expense of the American people.
October 30, 2024
Summary:
The health systems, while designed to safeguard, are often compromised by corporate influence, lack of transparency and conflicts of interest. From rushed drug approvals to incomplete vaccine safety data, powerful players in medicine and government have sometimes prioritised profits over patient well-being. But as more independent doctors and researchers challenge the status quo, there's hope for a more transparent and accountable health system. By staying informed and questioning official narratives, you can play a role in advocating for better healthcare for all.
The health systems, while designed to safeguard, are often compromised by corporate influence, lack of transparency and conflicts of interest. From rushed drug approvals to incomplete vaccine safety data, powerful players in medicine and government have sometimes prioritised profits over patient well-being. But as more independent doctors and researchers challenge the status quo, there's hope for a more transparent and accountable health system. By staying informed and questioning official narratives, you can play a role in advocating for better healthcare for all.
December 16, 2024
This is an opinion book marketed as “follow the science”. Anti-vax, “the jab” goofiness, vaccines cause Autism theory…It’s not fair or balanced, and completely ignores all that vaccines and medications have done to save and improve our lives. I agree there are more problems than solutions in this area but this book isn’t properly footnoted/referenced, or researched.
April 25, 2025
Absolutely horrifying. I need to do more research on this topic. Because of that, I am only giving it four stars.
May 28, 2025
This book had a lot of great insight on medical issues I wasn’t aware of but also contained a great deal of chapters that I didn’t feel were worth reading over.
May 13, 2025
“Follow the Science” is a fascinating, well written, and very well researched book. I’m not sure I have ever been so angry after reading a book as I was after reading this one.
The corruption within the pharmaceutical industry, the media, and the government is beyond comprehension. It’s all about the money. Almost all politicians accept huge donations from Big Pharma. Big Pharma buys the vast majority of ads on television, so the media has a vested interest in not disclosing any potential problems caused by any drug being advertised. If they were to question the pharmaceutical industry, they could lose a huge amount of ad revenue. So the entire system has been corrupted and there is no checks and balances on Big Pharma, and anyone who dares to speak out about it are smeared, labeled “conspiracy nuts”, and silenced. The whole situation is very scary. Banning tv ads for the pharmaceutical industry would go a long way to help the situation. They are banned in almost every country in the world except the United States.
Attkisson discusses in great detail the potential links between vaccinations and the incredible rise in autism in our country. The number of vaccinations given to our children has risen considerably over the past decades, as has the rate of autism. But vaccines have become the “third rail” of the pharmaceutical industry, so once again, attempts to even consider any link between vaccines and autism is pushed aside and silenced.
Attkisson also discusses at length the incredible level of corruption and mishandling of the Covid-19 situation. From the controversy over the source of the virus, to the suppression of the use of known drugs that could help combat the virus such as hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin, to the push for social distancing, the wearing of masks, and the shutdowns. So much of these practices were proven to be wrong and ineffective. The vaccine was, and continues to be pushed on the American public when it has been proven to not be effective, and has even been extremely harmful, all to make some people very wealthy.
Sharyl Attkisson has won five Emmy Awards and an Edward R. Murrow award for investigative reporting. She is a highly respected journalist who does her homework and does her research. I have a lot of respect for her, and I highly recommend this book. Everyone should read it.
The corruption within the pharmaceutical industry, the media, and the government is beyond comprehension. It’s all about the money. Almost all politicians accept huge donations from Big Pharma. Big Pharma buys the vast majority of ads on television, so the media has a vested interest in not disclosing any potential problems caused by any drug being advertised. If they were to question the pharmaceutical industry, they could lose a huge amount of ad revenue. So the entire system has been corrupted and there is no checks and balances on Big Pharma, and anyone who dares to speak out about it are smeared, labeled “conspiracy nuts”, and silenced. The whole situation is very scary. Banning tv ads for the pharmaceutical industry would go a long way to help the situation. They are banned in almost every country in the world except the United States.
Attkisson discusses in great detail the potential links between vaccinations and the incredible rise in autism in our country. The number of vaccinations given to our children has risen considerably over the past decades, as has the rate of autism. But vaccines have become the “third rail” of the pharmaceutical industry, so once again, attempts to even consider any link between vaccines and autism is pushed aside and silenced.
Attkisson also discusses at length the incredible level of corruption and mishandling of the Covid-19 situation. From the controversy over the source of the virus, to the suppression of the use of known drugs that could help combat the virus such as hydroxychloroquine and Ivermectin, to the push for social distancing, the wearing of masks, and the shutdowns. So much of these practices were proven to be wrong and ineffective. The vaccine was, and continues to be pushed on the American public when it has been proven to not be effective, and has even been extremely harmful, all to make some people very wealthy.
Sharyl Attkisson has won five Emmy Awards and an Edward R. Murrow award for investigative reporting. She is a highly respected journalist who does her homework and does her research. I have a lot of respect for her, and I highly recommend this book. Everyone should read it.
May 17, 2025
“Follow the Science” is a fascinating but very disturbing book. In college, I majored in Biology and Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics so “follow the science” is something that comes naturally to me. But based on this book and three others I’ve read (“Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty,” by Patrick Radden Keefe, “The Real Anthony Fauci: Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health” by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and “Pharma: Greed, Lies, and the Poisoning of America” by Gerald Posner) I have serious questions about the ways in which science has been corrupted.
This is a story of follow the money. The pharmaceutical industry is a powerhouse of money and influence. Every politician in Washington, Democrats and Republicans (with the exception of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump according to Attkisson) accepts huge donations from Big Pharma. Big pharma buys roughly 75% of all the television ads ($4.58 billion) on the major networks, both left and right leaning. (FYI - Pharmaceutical ads are banned from TV in almost every other country but were allowed on US television networks as of 1997.) Scientists, who work in government health agencies, routinely work with representatives from the pharmaceutical industry to coordinate approval of profitable drugs. Often, those same scientists leave the government within a few years and go to work for the companies whose products they were regulating. Groups of scientists who promote their “independent” scientific positions that are favorable to the pharmaceutical industry are often not independent at all. Many of these independent groups are secretly funded by big pharma and those scientists who work in these “independent” groups are legally allowed to participate in these so-called independent groups two years and one day after they leave the company whose products they are evaluating. Bottom line: there are really no checks and balances for anything the pharmaceutical industry tells or sells the public. Their money, influence and propaganda are everywhere.
Attkisson describes many examples of drugs that we were told were safe, only to have them pulled off the market after numerous serious side effects became apparent. Peer reviewed scientific studies are frequently edited to exclude or minimize references to serious side effects. Attkisson discusses the conflicting evidence of the possible link between vaccines and autism, which has risen dramatically in the last few years. Is a particular vaccine the problem? Is a combination of vaccines given at the same time the problem? Is the huge increase in the number and frequency of vaccinations we administer to young children the problem? We just don’t know. Congress and the pharmaceutical industry really want no part of looking into it. Attkisson calls vaccines “the third rail” of the pharmaceutical industry.
Attkisson writes: “Let me pause to state something that should be obvious. It’s not “anti-vaccine” to ask questions, research, or report about vaccine safety. In all my years of investigating topics, this one stand alone in terms of the orchestrated pushback it draws. When I broke international news about deadly rollovers of Ford Explorers outfitted with Firestone tires, nobody suggested I was “anti-car” or “anti-tire.” That would be absurd. When I uncovered fraud at the Red Cross involving 9/11 donations, nobody suggested I was “anti-Red Cross”, “anti-charity”, or “anti-9/11 donations.” When I investigated other drug safety issues, nobody considered me to be “anti-medicine.” If I were to talk about studies showing that some people are allergic to penicillin, it wouldn’t make me “anti-penicillin.” Ask yourself why the game changes when it comes to vaccines. The fact that people feel compelled to say, “I’m not anti-vaccine…” before making perfectly grounded statements or asking rational questions speaks to the success of one of the most influential propaganda movements of our time.”
I particularly enjoyed the chapter on “De Niro and Me” where she describes her interactions with Robert DeNiro about his plan to show a film dealing with vaccines at the Tribeca Film festival in NYC. De Niro received an incredible level of push back from various sources about his plans to show the documentary. The chapters on the Covid pandemic, including who knew what and when, were also very interesting.
In the epilogue Attkisson, who is the daughter and sister of doctors writes, “As a patient, I didn’t believe the government or medical professionals would ever lie. As a parent, I believed that doctors, government medical experts, and child safety groups put my child’s health first, above all other concerns. I made sure my child got all the recommended vaccines without considering that they might not be necessary, might not work, or could do harm. As a young reporter, I believed pretty much whatever message the medical establishment advanced. I thought scientific research was pure and to be taken unquestioningly at face value.”
I’ve read four of Sharyl Attkisson’s books. (“The Smear: How the Secret Art of Character Assassination Controls What You Think, What You Read, and How You Vote”, “Slanted”, and Stonewalled: My Fight for Truth Against the Forces of Obstruction, Intimidation, and Harassment in Obama's Washington) They are all excellent.
Sharyl Attkisson has won five Emmy Awards and an Edward R. Murrow award for investigative reporting. She has covered controversies under the administrations of Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden.
Attkisson is one of the very few investigative journalists around for whom I have the utmost respect.
I HIGHLY recommend this book.
This is a story of follow the money. The pharmaceutical industry is a powerhouse of money and influence. Every politician in Washington, Democrats and Republicans (with the exception of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump according to Attkisson) accepts huge donations from Big Pharma. Big pharma buys roughly 75% of all the television ads ($4.58 billion) on the major networks, both left and right leaning. (FYI - Pharmaceutical ads are banned from TV in almost every other country but were allowed on US television networks as of 1997.) Scientists, who work in government health agencies, routinely work with representatives from the pharmaceutical industry to coordinate approval of profitable drugs. Often, those same scientists leave the government within a few years and go to work for the companies whose products they were regulating. Groups of scientists who promote their “independent” scientific positions that are favorable to the pharmaceutical industry are often not independent at all. Many of these independent groups are secretly funded by big pharma and those scientists who work in these “independent” groups are legally allowed to participate in these so-called independent groups two years and one day after they leave the company whose products they are evaluating. Bottom line: there are really no checks and balances for anything the pharmaceutical industry tells or sells the public. Their money, influence and propaganda are everywhere.
Attkisson describes many examples of drugs that we were told were safe, only to have them pulled off the market after numerous serious side effects became apparent. Peer reviewed scientific studies are frequently edited to exclude or minimize references to serious side effects. Attkisson discusses the conflicting evidence of the possible link between vaccines and autism, which has risen dramatically in the last few years. Is a particular vaccine the problem? Is a combination of vaccines given at the same time the problem? Is the huge increase in the number and frequency of vaccinations we administer to young children the problem? We just don’t know. Congress and the pharmaceutical industry really want no part of looking into it. Attkisson calls vaccines “the third rail” of the pharmaceutical industry.
Attkisson writes: “Let me pause to state something that should be obvious. It’s not “anti-vaccine” to ask questions, research, or report about vaccine safety. In all my years of investigating topics, this one stand alone in terms of the orchestrated pushback it draws. When I broke international news about deadly rollovers of Ford Explorers outfitted with Firestone tires, nobody suggested I was “anti-car” or “anti-tire.” That would be absurd. When I uncovered fraud at the Red Cross involving 9/11 donations, nobody suggested I was “anti-Red Cross”, “anti-charity”, or “anti-9/11 donations.” When I investigated other drug safety issues, nobody considered me to be “anti-medicine.” If I were to talk about studies showing that some people are allergic to penicillin, it wouldn’t make me “anti-penicillin.” Ask yourself why the game changes when it comes to vaccines. The fact that people feel compelled to say, “I’m not anti-vaccine…” before making perfectly grounded statements or asking rational questions speaks to the success of one of the most influential propaganda movements of our time.”
I particularly enjoyed the chapter on “De Niro and Me” where she describes her interactions with Robert DeNiro about his plan to show a film dealing with vaccines at the Tribeca Film festival in NYC. De Niro received an incredible level of push back from various sources about his plans to show the documentary. The chapters on the Covid pandemic, including who knew what and when, were also very interesting.
In the epilogue Attkisson, who is the daughter and sister of doctors writes, “As a patient, I didn’t believe the government or medical professionals would ever lie. As a parent, I believed that doctors, government medical experts, and child safety groups put my child’s health first, above all other concerns. I made sure my child got all the recommended vaccines without considering that they might not be necessary, might not work, or could do harm. As a young reporter, I believed pretty much whatever message the medical establishment advanced. I thought scientific research was pure and to be taken unquestioningly at face value.”
I’ve read four of Sharyl Attkisson’s books. (“The Smear: How the Secret Art of Character Assassination Controls What You Think, What You Read, and How You Vote”, “Slanted”, and Stonewalled: My Fight for Truth Against the Forces of Obstruction, Intimidation, and Harassment in Obama's Washington) They are all excellent.
Sharyl Attkisson has won five Emmy Awards and an Edward R. Murrow award for investigative reporting. She has covered controversies under the administrations of Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden.
Attkisson is one of the very few investigative journalists around for whom I have the utmost respect.
I HIGHLY recommend this book.
March 21, 2026
Most excellent book!!! Sheryl goes above Ann’s netting on finding facts and printing them so you can do the research yourself to verify everything. This should be a must read for everyone in our country!!!
December 18, 2024
This is a disturbing book that should be widely read. It should be read by those who are skeptical of big pharmaceutical companies, and it should be read by those who are defenders of the current status quo.
In some ways, the title says it all. But I do think it is important to understand the current state of affairs in modern medicine, and this book gives a better understanding of the dissolution of reliable information and the "capture" of the institutions.
The book is readable and well-referenced (note: it had to be, I would guess that every sentence had to be litigation-proofed prior to release)
It is divided into a number of sections, and some are better than others in advancing the author's arguments. But it is hard to come away from reading without a better understanding of the larger pattern of how the system is corrupted, "controlled', and misleading at every turn.
Professor and podcaster Brett Weinsten refers to a "Cartesian Crisis" (a seeming absence of reliable facts, leading to a confusion of coordinates) in modern times. This book articulates reasons for that crisis as it specifically pertains to field of modern science/pharmaceuticals, as the levers of influence and undeniable conflicts of interests are exposed across the board. (NOTE: I am a practicing physician and am unaware of reliable sources of information that I can turn to. No source is perfect).
The book contains information related to COVID, but covers far more.
Read it, then share it
.
In some ways, the title says it all. But I do think it is important to understand the current state of affairs in modern medicine, and this book gives a better understanding of the dissolution of reliable information and the "capture" of the institutions.
The book is readable and well-referenced (note: it had to be, I would guess that every sentence had to be litigation-proofed prior to release)
It is divided into a number of sections, and some are better than others in advancing the author's arguments. But it is hard to come away from reading without a better understanding of the larger pattern of how the system is corrupted, "controlled', and misleading at every turn.
Professor and podcaster Brett Weinsten refers to a "Cartesian Crisis" (a seeming absence of reliable facts, leading to a confusion of coordinates) in modern times. This book articulates reasons for that crisis as it specifically pertains to field of modern science/pharmaceuticals, as the levers of influence and undeniable conflicts of interests are exposed across the board. (NOTE: I am a practicing physician and am unaware of reliable sources of information that I can turn to. No source is perfect).
The book contains information related to COVID, but covers far more.
Read it, then share it
.
September 21, 2024
I have been a follower of Sharyl Attkisson for a while now, through her podcasts. This book follows her excellent journalistic style of dealing with facts, not political narratives. The book is excellent in taking our health system and cutting through to facts. Many of which are against the narrative of our government. It is very clear that our health system is being run by industry / pharmaceutical money and power, and not a caring for the American population. Sharyl tackles topics like vaccines, Covid, autism and more. Looking for the real truth.
It is amazing how far money will pull people. So sad.
This is an excellent read. It does expose our government and especially all of the health related commissions and departments that should be looking out for the citizens. They are not, and have no intention of changing.
It is amazing how far money will pull people. So sad.
This is an excellent read. It does expose our government and especially all of the health related commissions and departments that should be looking out for the citizens. They are not, and have no intention of changing.
October 8, 2024
This is an impressive, clearly written and well documented book. Like Ms. Attkisson says, it's a real life thriller. The stories of medical corruption would be unbelievable if they weren't backed up by irrefutable evidence. I think the book will help everyone who is skeptical finally understand the "unseen hands" working to manipulate our information and our health. I especially liked the "eyeopeners" where Ms. Attkisson summarizes key cases and evidence that show ethical lapses and corruption within scientific journals, medical associations, med school, continuing med education classes, news media, federal agencies like CDC, and more. You won't be sorry if you get this book. And there is also helpful information at the end on how to become a healthier consumer of medical information when so much of it is "slanted." Five stars.
November 21, 2024
Reading this book taught me to question the medical establishment, Big-Pharma, the government, and social media. All have lied to the American public regarding Covid. And they continue to lie, and their lies have wrecked lives, careers, and even resulted in the deaths of untold numbers of people.
Sheryl Attkisson is one of the few investigative journalists with the courage to report the truth. In this book, she uncovers the tip of the iceberg of the invasive corruption of all the above mentioned entities.
In reading this book, it is more than apparent that corporate profits are far more important than protecting the health of Americans. Money, millions and billions of dollars, trump the truth.
Bottom line: we can no longer trust government to tell us the truth. Question everything they tell us.
Sheryl Attkisson is one of the few investigative journalists with the courage to report the truth. In this book, she uncovers the tip of the iceberg of the invasive corruption of all the above mentioned entities.
In reading this book, it is more than apparent that corporate profits are far more important than protecting the health of Americans. Money, millions and billions of dollars, trump the truth.
Bottom line: we can no longer trust government to tell us the truth. Question everything they tell us.
January 8, 2025
This book made me angry. I understand the profit motive of pharmaceutical companies, and bringing value to shareholders. I thought government institutions were supposed to act as a buffer. I was wrong. It appears from this book that business and the opportunity for financial gain overshadows the regulatory role of the CDC, NIH, and the FDA. The manipulation of data is egregious in certain instances. I’m a long time fan of Sheryl Atkinson, and find her to be thoughtful, measured and truthful. She advocates for :
* Do your own research
* Make up your own mind
* Think for yourself
Her information regarding COVID, and the vaccines was fascinating. The information discovered about some of the “experts” and their deep financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry was unnerving. “ Follow the Money” is the major theme of this book.
* Do your own research
* Make up your own mind
* Think for yourself
Her information regarding COVID, and the vaccines was fascinating. The information discovered about some of the “experts” and their deep financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry was unnerving. “ Follow the Money” is the major theme of this book.
March 24, 2025
If you are concerned about your and your family’s health now and in the future, this book is must read. Very well written and captivating how the connections between big pharmaceutical companies, university scientists, medical schools, politicians, the CDC, the WHO, the NIH and the media are so interconnected and not working for our well being. Money is the center of most decisions and therefore the research is for new drugs that can be sold, not on research that can make us healthier without pills and medicine. Also don’t believe what you hear on the news programs or in printed media since they are not working for your well being, they are at the mercy of the big money pharmaceutical companies and will tow the party line. This book will show you how to do your own research on credible sources and information. Highly recommend!!!
April 12, 2025
This is a very good science book by a non-scientist author. It's well-referenced and tells the compelling story of the Medical and Primarily Pharmaceutical Industrial Complex, and how they have conspired to Sell US drugs we don't need, don't work, wouldn't want (if we were properly informed), and wouldn't consent to (if informed) and may harm, injure and even Kill US if we aren't very careful... and most of US aren't very careful; we're very Trusting (and shouldn't be for very good reasons; including Death). I didn't care for the long list of the author's recommended sources (to help avoid problems) Because it was a very long list... A long list makes it likely a useless... because didn't Anyone tell you, We are All Biased. I recommend you read Sharyl's book and/or what her video(s) on this same subject (one from Heritage Foundation was good)... and pay attention!
August 12, 2025
Reading this certainly validated how I was feeling in 2020 and afterward as it related to the vaccines, shutdowns, and natural immunity. The gaslighting at the time from EVERY news outlet and press conference left me wondering if I was the crazy person or if everyone else was insane. I told my husband I felt like I was living in an upside-down world. I trusted my gut and skipped the vaccine, opting for natural immunity instead.
On the other hand, reading this also made me incredibly angry. There were times I had to just step away from the book out of feelings of sheer anger and frustration. I also had feelings of helplessness...what is a person to do? Who can you trust? However, knowledge is power, and when we know better, we can do better.
I dare every physician to read this book objectively.
On the other hand, reading this also made me incredibly angry. There were times I had to just step away from the book out of feelings of sheer anger and frustration. I also had feelings of helplessness...what is a person to do? Who can you trust? However, knowledge is power, and when we know better, we can do better.
I dare every physician to read this book objectively.
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