Synopsis

Now in paperback: The major national bestseller that the New York Times says "tosses sand on liberal sacred cows"

John Stossel-award-winning journalist, tireless consumer-rights crusader, and anchor of ABC's newsmagazine 20/20-has built his reputation on his willingness to debunk conventional wisdom, no matter the source. In his latest New York Times bestseller, which has sold more than 200,000 copies in hardcover, he busts the myths, lies, and downright stupidity clogging media outlets on all sides of the spectrum. Taking a shovel to the heaps of misinterpretations and outright mistakes passing for "fact" these days, Stossel proves:

• That contrary to popular belief, Americans have more free time now than ever before;
• How DDT could actually save millions of lives annually, if only we hadn't been wrongly convinced it caused cancer;
• That Republicans don't shrink government-they expand it;
• Why bottled water is a rip-off (hint: not only doesn't it taste better than tap, it's no healthier either!);
• How "defective product" lawsuits end up depriving us of safer products;
• Why it's okay to marry your cousin;
• And much, much more.

Bursting with facts, sharp insights, and plain old common sense, Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity is a modern muckraking classic.

• Myths and Misconceptions covered in the book include:
• Is the media unbiased?
• Are our schools helping or hurting our kids?
• Do singles have a better sex life than married people?
• Do we have less free time than we used to?
• Is outsourcing bad for American workers?
• Suburban sprawl is ruining America.
• Money makes people happier.
• The world is too crowded.
• We're drowning in garbage.
• Profiteering is evil.
• Sweatshops exploit people.

John Stossel takes on these and many more misconceptions, misunderstandings, and plain old stupidity in this collection that will offer much to love for Give Me a Break fans, and show everyone why conventional wisdom -- economic, political, or social -- is often wrong.