I Told You So!: Scientists Who Were Ridiculed, Exiled, and Imprisoned for Being Right
ISBN
Publisher
Imprint
Year Published
Print Length
Format
SKU
9781250372277
St. Martin's Press
N/A
2026
288 pages
Paperback
26164
Original price was: ₨8,400.00.₨1,400.00Current price is: ₨1,400.00.
An energetic and impassioned work of popular science about scientists who have had to fight for their revolutionary ideas to be accepted―from Darwin to Pasteur to modern day Nobel Prize winners.
Description
For two decades, Matt Kaplan has covered science for the Economist. He’s seen breakthroughs often occur in spite of, rather than because of, the behavior of the research community, and how support can be withheld for those who don’t conform or have the right connections. In this passionately argued and entertaining book, Kaplan narrates the history of the 19th century Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis, who realized that Childbed fever―a devastating infection that only struck women who had recently given birth―was spread by doctors not washing their hands. Semmelweis was met with overwhelming hostility by those offended at the notion that doctors were at fault, and is a prime example of how the scientific community often fights new ideas, even when the facts are staring them in the face.
In entertaining prose, Kaplan reveals scientific cases past and present to make his case. Some are familiar, like Galileo being threatened with torture and Nobel laureate Katalin Karikó being fired when on the brink of discovering how to wield mRNA–a finding that proved pivotal for the creation of the Covid-19 vaccine. Others less so, like researchers silenced for raising safety concerns about new drugs, and biologists ridiculed for revealing major flaws in the way rodent research is conducted. Kaplan shows how the scientific community can work faster and better by making reasonably small changes to the forces that shape it.
Praise and Reviews
“Highly compelling … Though Kaplan covers famous stories of scientists ignored or obstructed going back to Galileo, his greatest contribution is in skillfully weaving together stories of modern-day scientists whose underappreciated work might otherwise remain little known.”―Nuno Castel-Branco, The Washington Post-------------------------------
“Kaplan’s … background … makes him fluent in science’s language and culture, and it gives this book its authority and authenticity. If success in science requires knowing ‘how to play the game,’ Kaplan invites readers to consider the possibility that the game itself is fundamentally flawed―no small achievement. I Told You So! makes a compelling case that if science is to remain faithful to its core principles, reform is overdue.”― Vijaysree Venkatraman, Science-------------------------------
“Enlightening … a timely and important call for change.”―Publishers Weekly, starred review-------------------------------
"Informative … an eloquent plea for reforming research funding and reducing bias.”―Kirkus Reviews-------------------------------
“This engaging historical exploration of overlooked scientists and their discoveries is highly recommended.”―Library Journal-------------------------------
“Kaplan writes about the unsung scientists who, due to reasons often beyond their control, were maligned, imprisoned, or ignored by the scientific community of their time … Through these narratives, the author sheds light on the systemic barriers faced by visionary researchers.”―Booklist-------------------------------
“Fascinating, illuminating … Via meticulous research and a clear passion for his subject, Kaplan artfully conveys that dysfunction in the world of science isn’t new nor is it over, and change is urgently required.”―BookPage-------------------------------
“Thoroughly absorbing and insightful!”–Bill Bryson, author of The Body: A Guide for Occupants-------------------------------
“Matt Kaplan captured me from page one – and he deftly, often humorously, jumps between research past and present. The questions that he asks about the nature of research and how we go about it are of pivotal importance. You will never look at science the same way again!”― Siddhartha Mukherjee, author of Emperor of All Maladies-------------------------------
“No one illuminates the quirks and foibles of science better than Matt Kaplan, and his new book I Told you So! is both a brilliant example of that and of the fact that research is an entirely human enterprise, fascinatingly complicated and, despite that, remarkably successful.”―Deborah Blum, Pulitzer-Prize winning author of The Poison Squad and The Poisoner's Handbook.-------------------------------
“An essential wake-up call for the scientific community. Through meticulously researched historical cases and contemporary examples, he exposes how ego, institutional politics, and flawed funding systems suppress breakthrough discoveries. From Semmelweis to Karikó, he reveals that science's greatest enemy is often scientists themselves. Every researcher, journal editor, and grant reviewer should read this book.”―Michelle Williams, ScD, Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, School of Medicine-------------------------------
“A fascinating historical dissection of the ever-evolving history of science that will entice and inspire all who travel this illuminating literary journey! A must read for all.”―VADM (Ret) Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, 17th Surgeon General of The United States
About the Author
Matt Kaplan is a science correspondent at The Economist where he has written about everything from paleontology and parasites to virology and viticulture over the course of two decades. His writing has also appeared in National Geographic, New Scientist, Nature, and The New York Times. He is the author of The Science of Monsters and Science of the Magical, and co-author of David Attenborough’s First Life: A Journey Through Time. He completed a thesis in Paleontology at Berkeley, and one in science journalism at Imperial College, London. In 2014 he was awarded a Knight Fellowship to study at MIT and Harvard. Born in California, he lives in England.
I Told You So!: Scientists Who Were Ridiculed, Exiled, and Imprisoned for Being Right
By : Matt Kaplan
An energetic and impassioned work of popular science about scientists who have had to fight for their revolutionary ideas to be accepted―from Darwin to Pasteur to modern day Nobel Prize winners.
Description
For two decades, Matt Kaplan has covered science for the Economist. He’s seen breakthroughs often occur in spite of, rather than because of, the behavior of the research community, and how support can be withheld for those who don’t conform or have the right connections. In this passionately argued and entertaining book, Kaplan narrates the history of the 19th century Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis, who realized that Childbed fever―a devastating infection that only struck women who had recently given birth―was spread by doctors not washing their hands. Semmelweis was met with overwhelming hostility by those offended at the notion that doctors were at fault, and is a prime example of how the scientific community often fights new ideas, even when the facts are staring them in the face.
In entertaining prose, Kaplan reveals scientific cases past and present to make his case. Some are familiar, like Galileo being threatened with torture and Nobel laureate Katalin Karikó being fired when on the brink of discovering how to wield mRNA–a finding that proved pivotal for the creation of the Covid-19 vaccine. Others less so, like researchers silenced for raising safety concerns about new drugs, and biologists ridiculed for revealing major flaws in the way rodent research is conducted. Kaplan shows how the scientific community can work faster and better by making reasonably small changes to the forces that shape it.
Praise and Reviews
“Highly compelling … Though Kaplan covers famous stories of scientists ignored or obstructed going back to Galileo, his greatest contribution is in skillfully weaving together stories of modern-day scientists whose underappreciated work might otherwise remain little known.”―Nuno Castel-Branco, The Washington Post-------------------------------
“Kaplan’s … background … makes him fluent in science’s language and culture, and it gives this book its authority and authenticity. If success in science requires knowing ‘how to play the game,’ Kaplan invites readers to consider the possibility that the game itself is fundamentally flawed―no small achievement. I Told You So! makes a compelling case that if science is to remain faithful to its core principles, reform is overdue.”― Vijaysree Venkatraman, Science-------------------------------
“Enlightening … a timely and important call for change.”―Publishers Weekly, starred review-------------------------------
"Informative … an eloquent plea for reforming research funding and reducing bias.”―Kirkus Reviews-------------------------------
“This engaging historical exploration of overlooked scientists and their discoveries is highly recommended.”―Library Journal-------------------------------
“Kaplan writes about the unsung scientists who, due to reasons often beyond their control, were maligned, imprisoned, or ignored by the scientific community of their time … Through these narratives, the author sheds light on the systemic barriers faced by visionary researchers.”―Booklist-------------------------------
“Fascinating, illuminating … Via meticulous research and a clear passion for his subject, Kaplan artfully conveys that dysfunction in the world of science isn’t new nor is it over, and change is urgently required.”―BookPage-------------------------------
“Thoroughly absorbing and insightful!”–Bill Bryson, author of The Body: A Guide for Occupants-------------------------------
“Matt Kaplan captured me from page one – and he deftly, often humorously, jumps between research past and present. The questions that he asks about the nature of research and how we go about it are of pivotal importance. You will never look at science the same way again!”― Siddhartha Mukherjee, author of Emperor of All Maladies-------------------------------
“No one illuminates the quirks and foibles of science better than Matt Kaplan, and his new book I Told you So! is both a brilliant example of that and of the fact that research is an entirely human enterprise, fascinatingly complicated and, despite that, remarkably successful.”―Deborah Blum, Pulitzer-Prize winning author of The Poison Squad and The Poisoner's Handbook.-------------------------------
“An essential wake-up call for the scientific community. Through meticulously researched historical cases and contemporary examples, he exposes how ego, institutional politics, and flawed funding systems suppress breakthrough discoveries. From Semmelweis to Karikó, he reveals that science's greatest enemy is often scientists themselves. Every researcher, journal editor, and grant reviewer should read this book.”―Michelle Williams, ScD, Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, School of Medicine-------------------------------
“A fascinating historical dissection of the ever-evolving history of science that will entice and inspire all who travel this illuminating literary journey! A must read for all.”―VADM (Ret) Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, 17th Surgeon General of The United States
About the Author
Matt Kaplan is a science correspondent at The Economist where he has written about everything from paleontology and parasites to virology and viticulture over the course of two decades. His writing has also appeared in National Geographic, New Scientist, Nature, and The New York Times. He is the author of The Science of Monsters and Science of the Magical, and co-author of David Attenborough’s First Life: A Journey Through Time. He completed a thesis in Paleontology at Berkeley, and one in science journalism at Imperial College, London. In 2014 he was awarded a Knight Fellowship to study at MIT and Harvard. Born in California, he lives in England.