Beyond the Hype

A Guardian Science Book of the Year 2022

'This is how to talk about science' Justin Webb

'A candid inside account . . . [Fox] reveals how frontline science can be just as messy, complex and feudal as any political drama.' Anjana Ahuja, co-author of Spike: The Virus Versus the People

Do you remember the 'Climategate' email leak? Or the 'Frankenfood'-style headlines about the perils of GM foods? What about the time the government sacked its own science advisor for challenging drug laws?

Beyond the Hype takes us behind the scenes of some of the most contentious stories in science over the past two decades. From animal research and genetically modified foods to hybrid embryos and a global pandemic, it demonstrates the vital importance of scientists talking to the media - and warns of the damage to public understanding when scientists are silenced on the defining issues of our times.

'The way the media covers science stories and breakthroughs has never been more important or relevant . . . This book should be recommended reading'Jim Al-Khalili, presenter of The Life Scientific

'The pandemic has repeatedly shown the vital necessity for accurate reporting of science . . . Fox provides some riveting stories about the ups and downs of this continuing struggle.' David Spiegelhalter, author of The Art of Statistics

'Engaging, illuminating, important' Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, Director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism

'A vivid account of how journalists and scientists interact' David Willetts, former Minister for Universities and Science