100 Fake News Stories vs. Science
Good Fit
- Readers who enjoy a "one or two myths per sitting" format and want scientific content delivered with a light tone
- Anyone curious about the real research behind everyday claims like "a glass of wine a day is good for your health"
- Newcomers to popular science — every chapter is short, jargon-free, and sourced
Not a Fit
- Readers wanting an in-depth, academic-level exploration of any single topic — each myth gets just 1-2 pages, no deep analysis
- Anyone looking for a book with one continuous narrative — this is a collection of independent short pieces readable in any order
The book opens with "A glass of wine a day is good for your health," examining the famous "French paradox" (French people having fewer heart problems than the British despite a similarly fatty diet). A 1992 theory by Serge Renaud and Michel de Lorgeril, published in The Lancet, claimed wine reduces heart disease by 40% — but the authors immediately counter with France's Public Health Agency finding that one alcoholic drink a day is linked to 7 different cancer types (mouth, throat, digestive tract, breast). Verdict: moderation is the key word, and the myth is neither fully false nor fully true.
The second chapter examines "Coffee should be avoided." A Southampton University meta-analysis covering 200 studies found that up to 4 cups a day (up to 400mg of caffeine) significantly reduces the risk of certain cancers, diabetes, and neurological diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's). But caffeine also halts melatonin production for 6 hours — the book recommends avoiding coffee after 4-5pm if you want to sleep before 11pm.
The third chapter tackles one of the most sensitive topics: whether "just one small glass" of alcohol during pregnancy is truly harmless. The authors take a clear scientific stance — during the embryo's formation stage (the first three months), it's impossible to know in advance exactly WHEN alcohol will cause harm; the book calls it "a game of Russian roulette." An interesting added detail: recent research shows that a father's alcohol consumption before conception increases the unborn baby's risk of heart disease by 44% — the book addresses future fathers, not just mothers.
- Every chapter follows the same format: a claim → "Really?" → a research-based answer, often with a visual "for/against" table
- Written collaboratively by 4 authors from Curieux!, a French science-communication team — each chapter ends with its individual author's byline
- The tone stays light and witty, but every claim is backed by a specific study or journal citation (e.g. The Lancet)
A similarly structured popular-science book that debunks everyday misconceptions with statistics
The sequel, same format
After Nutrition, the book moves to Memory & Brain (male/female brain differences, the "we only use 10% of our brain" myth), Math & Physics, and Climate Change & Environment (going vegan, planting trees).
The final sections cover Biodiversity (myths about cats, wolves, sharks) and Space (black holes, whether the Great Wall of China is visible from space, aliens) — each continuing the same "claim + scientific answer" format.
If you see a problem, write to us. Publisher, author, rights holder, or just a reader — it doesn't matter. If there's something problematic about copyright in this review, if the review's author has broken the site's rules, or if you simply have a suggestion or complaint, hey@kitabdanevar.com. We'd rather resolve this between ourselves than go to court: we review requests within 48 hours and, if needed, correct or fully remove the review.
