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38 reviews for:
Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash
Timothy Caulfield
3.56 AVERAGE
38 reviews for:
Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?: When Celebrity Culture and Science Clash
Timothy Caulfield
3.56 AVERAGE
Yes, the title got my attention. That said, it wasn't as much about the weird "Goop" stuff as I had thought it would be, though the author spends a lot of time on how weirdly fascinated we are with the cult of celebrity. The reality is that we do so many things because somebody famous recommends it--being a baseball fan, I can remember the run on androstenedione when it was seen in Mark McGwire's locker (not mentioned in the book, but a good analogy). The underlying theme seems to be that we equate success and celebrity with being right.
The author spends a bit of time on how lucky one must be to "make it" in the entertainment business--even demonstrating that apart from Harry Potter that J.K. Rowling, when she used a pseudonym to publish, she was turned down quite a bit even after success. He discusses the idea of those who want to earn money through Youtube (something like, at best, $6 per 1,000 views), idiotic beauty regimens, and so on.
The main thing to understand is that even though many of us reading would not necessarily fall prey to what they discuss in this book, and would rightly call these ideas quite stupid, the author gives the sense that all of us have fallen for one or another with a different facade, leaving the reader with the sense of "I should see how well founded this is."
The author spends a bit of time on how lucky one must be to "make it" in the entertainment business--even demonstrating that apart from Harry Potter that J.K. Rowling, when she used a pseudonym to publish, she was turned down quite a bit even after success. He discusses the idea of those who want to earn money through Youtube (something like, at best, $6 per 1,000 views), idiotic beauty regimens, and so on.
The main thing to understand is that even though many of us reading would not necessarily fall prey to what they discuss in this book, and would rightly call these ideas quite stupid, the author gives the sense that all of us have fallen for one or another with a different facade, leaving the reader with the sense of "I should see how well founded this is."
Though the author is not a nutritionist and is not qualified to offer health advice, the research that went into this book was extensive, scientific, and entertaining. It is an engaging read. Though I can't say I learned anything new I enjoyed the author's fresh perspective on celebrity culture, and appreciated his skepticism. Perhaps, however, my positive feelings toward this book are the results of my own confirmation biases. Everyone likes to see their own opinions reflected back at them, especially by respected academics.
Super readable book from a fellow U of A alumnus who shares my interest in pop culture and also has four kids (so we're obviously kindred spirits). :)
This book feels like Caulfield only had enough material for the first half of the text and had to find enough to fill the rest. The strongest parts of this book are where Caulfield debunks the health aspects of celebrity culture (some may argue this is the entire book, but they are wrong), whereas the second half of the book relies on statistical analysis with little scientific backing or proof and falls into the pop psychology side of things. There are aspects of the book where Caulfield (again) falls into lazy humour and stereotypes without factoring complex factors like gender and class that play into our understanding of celebrity, appearances, and health. Despite this, Caulfield is a good writer and his book is a quick easy read.
This book took a left hand turn downhill really quickly.
First off - the title is misleading. To a point. The first chapter is exactly what I expected/wanted: documented and scientifically performed research that underlines why fad diets, lifestyles and other regimes most often promoted by celebrities are bullshit. It was glorious. I devoured it.
Then come parts one and two. Here we lose a lot of science - while studies are cited, they are admittedly (by the author) not the most methodological. And even more annoyingly, the author admits (in a roundabout way), that some of this is stemming from his own failed shot at celebrity. These parts aren't telling us why we shouldn't believe the magazine headlines at the grocery store checkout - it's instead examining our (or at least, Western culture's) obsession with celebrity. And it's slim pickings, and oft repetitive.
So if the title of this book (and the blurb, which is from the stellar first chunk), is what drew you in, only read part one. You do not miss absolutely anything from not reading the last two. Except some blather about an author who is a professor who wishes he was a rock star and how impossible it is for you to be one too.
First off - the title is misleading. To a point. The first chapter is exactly what I expected/wanted: documented and scientifically performed research that underlines why fad diets, lifestyles and other regimes most often promoted by celebrities are bullshit. It was glorious. I devoured it.
Then come parts one and two. Here we lose a lot of science - while studies are cited, they are admittedly (by the author) not the most methodological. And even more annoyingly, the author admits (in a roundabout way), that some of this is stemming from his own failed shot at celebrity. These parts aren't telling us why we shouldn't believe the magazine headlines at the grocery store checkout - it's instead examining our (or at least, Western culture's) obsession with celebrity. And it's slim pickings, and oft repetitive.
So if the title of this book (and the blurb, which is from the stellar first chunk), is what drew you in, only read part one. You do not miss absolutely anything from not reading the last two. Except some blather about an author who is a professor who wishes he was a rock star and how impossible it is for you to be one too.
Though the author is not a nutritionist and is not qualified to offer health advice, the research that went into this book was extensive, scientific, and entertaining. It is an engaging read. Though I can't say I learned anything new I enjoyed the author's fresh perspective on celebrity culture, and appreciated his skepticism. Perhaps, however, my positive feelings toward this book are the results of my own confirmation biases. Everyone likes to see their own opinions reflected back at them, especially by respected academics.
"Is Gwyneth Paltrow wrong about everything? When celebrity culture and science clash" is an entertaining non-fiction book by Timothy Caulfield exploring what it means to be in celebrity-obsessed world. In particular he looks at the authority of celebrity especially around health, diet, and beauty, as well as the illusions of the everyday person of obtaining fame and fortune. As always he backs it up with lots of evidence, interviews with people (including actors, struggling musicians, academics, and adult entertainment actresses), with a dash of his hilarious personal experiments.
Perhaps I didn't fully regard the subtitle and the synopsis of this book because I fully expected it to be more like the first half of the book and indeed more like his previous book "The Cure for Everything." While it was definitely entertaining and a great glimpse into celebrity culture (something I'm always fascinated by!) it wasn't what I expected. However, the concluding chapter (an epilogue almost
of sorts) was excellent and I particularly enjoyed how he ended it!
Perhaps I didn't fully regard the subtitle and the synopsis of this book because I fully expected it to be more like the first half of the book and indeed more like his previous book "The Cure for Everything." While it was definitely entertaining and a great glimpse into celebrity culture (something I'm always fascinated by!) it wasn't what I expected. However, the concluding chapter (an epilogue almost
of sorts) was excellent and I particularly enjoyed how he ended it!
I was expecting the first half--about celebrity-style "health" and "beauty" pseudoscience--but not the more interesting back half, about the desire for fame and fortune. I'm not sure the book would work as well for a reader who likes the idea of being famous (or digs GOOPesque nonsense), but as an existing member of the choir, I very much enjoyed the sermon.