Scientists take a stand.

Stanford University scientist Richard N. Zare writes, "We must be willing to speak out against the threat of making science just a matter of opinion." That is exactly what investigative journalist Seth Shulman does in Undermining Science, Suppression and Distortion in the Bush Administration (University of California Press, $24.95). Backed by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), Shulman looks closely at President Bush's cavalier treatment of scientific data during the last six years. From placing unqualified non-scientists in supervising positions to altering laboratory findings to fit the administration's line, Shulman uncovers some very disturbing trends.

Each chapter tackles an issue that the Bush ad ministration has been less than truthful about when addressing the American public. In such chapters as "Burying More than Intelligence on Our Security" and "When Good Science is the Endangered Species," Shulman succeeds at making the cold, hard facts accessible to the average (nonscientific) reader. While those facts are discouraging, the testimonies of prominent scientists taking a stand are inspiring.