Crown Publishers

Charlatan; America's most dangerous huckster, the man who pursued him, and the age of flimflam.

John R. Brinkley's "cure" for impotence killed several men, cut down on the goat population and made him immensely rich. He also was the first to use clear channel radio to advertise and carried that style into a failed run for governor of Kansas. Brock, a journalist, tells the story of Brinkley, his rise and fall. This is also the history of the efforts of Dr. Morris Fishbein, of the newly-founded American Medical Association, to stop Brinkley and the proliferation of quack medical practitioners. This book is intended for a general (rather than academic) audience. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The taste of sweet; our complicated love affair with our favorite treats.

Why do we have room for dessert even when we're full? Why do Americans, unlike the French, feel guilty over such indulgences? Is sugar addicting? What is the difference between non-tasters and super-tasters? A New York-based writer/editor (who looks too thin in her jacket photo to have a sweet tooth) explores our love-hate affair with naturally- and artificially- sweetened foods. She incorporates a credible blend of scientific, historical, cultural, lifestyle, socioeconomic, and marketing "ingredients." (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)