This wasn't a science book but I liked it for the same reasons you did- it tried to make people who are not into reading science/pop science etc. interested in something that affects us all. I take issue with the way she phrases some of it but I also learned new things.
She definitely made a few cracks that raised my eyebrows, and I think she crossed a line with some of her picture captions towards the end, professionally speaking (ie it wasn't very), but yeah, overall, once I adjusted my expectations, I found it a worthwhile read.
You know her work? I've never read her columns, just her other book, which was similar in tone/voice, although the snark in this one was turned up to 10.
I'm pretty sure I have read some of her articles. This was beyond snark...this was petty personal attacks. But maybe you're right and she was trying to appeal to the kind of person who wasn't likely to pick up her book.
Hmm. I had requested it before people started posting their take on it, and by the time I got it I wasn't keen. You've convinced me to give it a go, since it's sitting around any way.
If you do, I hope you enjoy it for what it is; there are so many people I know that I'd love to force this book on - the ones that need it most that will never see it because they don't read anything that isn't on a meme, and rely on FoxNews to tell them the rest.
Her snark is, at times, a little much, but I can't honestly say she was wrong about anything (that I can remember; I have a small niggling sensation at the back of the head that there might have been one thing...whatever it is, it's being smothered by the mother of all head colds.) YMMV. :)
I love your review, exactly how I felt about it. I forgot to talk about the bigger focus on the societal aspects of the diseases. Titles and marketing can make a difference, who knew? :) I'm not an expert in the field of diseases, I have more of a history and mental health background, so I definitely learned new information but was a little disappointed at times at the lack of concrete in certain sections. People who are more casual readers deserve books too, this might not be the best of them but geesh, there was some hate for this. The snark, throw in comments got a bit much for me at times, so I can't even imagine how it bugged others, lol.
Her snark is, at times, a little much, but I can't honestly say she was wrong about anything (that I can remember; I have a small niggling sensation at the back of the head that there might have been one thing...whatever it is, it's being smothered by the mother of all head colds.) YMMV. :)