Awards

• 2020 YALSA Outstanding Books for the College Bound
• Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year

Overview

We live in an era of misinformation, much of it spread by authority figures, including politicians, religious leaders, broadcasters, and, of course, apps and websites. In this second edition, author John Grant uses ripped-from-the-headlines examples to clearly explain how to identify bad evidence and poor arguments. He also points out the rhetorical tricks people use when attempting to pull the wool over our eyes, and offers advice about how to take these unscrupulous pundits down. Updated to include a chapter on fake news, Debunk It serves as a guide to critical thinking for young readers looking to find some clarity in a confusing world.

Full Product Details

9781541578562

Table of Contents

Reviews

A helpful and humorous tool to help teens understand and unpack the proliferation of unethical nonsense. Grant's (Eureka!: 50 Scientists Who Shaped Human History, 2016, etc.) authorial voice--sometimes clever, sometimes corny--helps readers understand the spread of misinformation in the media and ways to detect such falsifications. Grant unpacks the rhetorical strategies by which liars and spin doctors operate, allowing readers to better distinguish and analyze quote mining, cherry-picking, intimidation, false anomalies, and other deceptive traps. Although Grant overuses the word 'bullshit, ' the message is clear: We live in a world where facts frequently go unchecked and misinformation spreads instantaneously. Thoughtfully and methodically examining case studies such as climate change deniers and anti-vaxxers, Grant guides readers in a clearheaded yet entertaining approach to distinguishing falsehoods from facts. The value of this volume goes far beyond the news, as the author explains psychological traps such as confirmation bias and stereotyping and the tragedy of the prejudice that led to a slow response to the AIDS crisis, among other examples. Originally published in 2015, this revised and updated edition includes an additional section on fake news and even addresses how that term is misappropriated. This introduction to the importance of critical thinking in the age of misinformation is both well researched and academic as well as teen friendly. In an era of fake news, click-bait, and viral media, this book demands to be read.--Kirkus Reviews -- Journal Debunk It! ain't bunk--it's the real deal on how anyone can learn to see through disinformation and find their way to the truth, regardless of the source or topic. In an era where too many people purposefully or unwillingly spread lies, misinformation and just plain old propaganda, this book offers a clear and actionable way forward to a better understanding of the world and our place in it. Plus it shines a light on some of the most vile examples of misinformation and gives you the straight story on some of today's most lied-about issues. An essential book for our modern era.--John R. Platt, editor, The Revelator -- Other Print

"""In an era of fake news, click-bait, and viral media, this book demands to be read.""--Kirkus Reviews -- (5/31/2019 12:00:00 AM) ""Debunk It! ain't bunk--it's the real deal on how anyone can learn to see through disinformation and find their way to the truth, regardless of the source or topic. In an era where too many people purposefully or unwillingly spread lies, misinformation and just plain old propaganda, this book offers a clear and actionable way forward to a better understanding of the world and our place in it. Plus it shines a light on some of the most vile examples of misinformation and gives you the straight story on some of today's most lied-about issues. An essential book for our modern era.""--John R. Platt, editor, The Revelator -- (4/15/2019 12:00:00 AM)"

Debunk It! ain't bunk--it's the real deal on how anyone can learn to see through disinformation and find their way to the truth, regardless of the source or topic. In an era where too many people purposefully or unwillingly spread lies, misinformation and just plain old propaganda, this book offers a clear and actionable way forward to a better understanding of the world and our place in it. Plus it shines a light on some of the most vile examples of misinformation and gives you the straight story on some of today's most lied-about issues. An essential book for our modern era. --John R. Platt, editor, The Revelator --Other Print

Author Information

John Grant is author of about seventy books, including the highly successful Discarded Science, Corrupted Science, and Denying Science. He has received two Hugo Awards, the World Fantasy Award, the Locus Award, and a number of other international literary awards.

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