83 pages 2 hours read

Naomi Oreskes, Erik M. Conway

Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2010

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Essay Topics

1.

There are two quotations at the beginning of the book, also known as an epigraph. Why are they important and how do they reflect the issues discussed?

2.

How can doubt be a commercial product? Can an idea be bought and sold like a commodity? Think of the examples in the text to justify your answer.

3.

What role does fear play within the book? Discuss the fear generated by corporations and the government as well as the fear felt by characters such as Seitz.