Mooney "addresses a vitally important topic and gets it basically right."

Read the full review by JOHN HORGAN of The Republican War on Science in the December 18, 2005 New York Times. (free registration required)

(Chris) "Mooney charges George Bush and other conservative Republicans with 'science abuse,' which he defines as 'any attempt to inappropriately undermine, alter or otherwise interfere with the scientific process, or scientific conclusions, for political or ideological reasons.' Science abuse is not an exclusively right-wing sin, Mooney acknowledges. He condemns Greenpeace for exaggerating the risks of genetically modified 'Frankenfoods,' animal-rights groups for dismissing the medical benefits of research on animals and John Kerry for overstating the potential of stem cells during his presidential run.

"In 'politicized fights involving science, it is rare to find liberals entirely innocent of abuses,' Mooney asserts. 'But they are almost never as guilty as the Right.' By 'the Right,' Mooney means the powerful alliance of conservative Christians - who seek to influence policies on abortion, stem cells, sexual conduct and the teaching of evolution - and advocates of free enterprise who attempt to minimize regulations that cut into corporate profits. The champion of both groups - and the chief villain of Mooney's book - is President Bush, whom Mooney accuses of having 'politicized science to an unprecedented degree.'"