Tow #14 Don’t Swallow Your Gum! By Dr. Aaron Carroll and Dr. Rachel Vreeman

As important to a book as the author’s style is the format of the book. The organization of Don’t Swallow Your Gum! by Dr. Aaron Carroll and Dr. Rachel Vreeman allows the reader to understand many different medical myths. Split into five parts the book is able to address many different types of misconceptions. The book also includes and introduction, research terms, references, and an index. The format of this book enhances the experience the audience receives as they read it or use it as a learning tool.

            The five sections of the book make it easy to be used for many different reasons. Written as a book where one could read it entirely through, it is organized also so a person with specific interests could read just what they want. The parts include titles such as “Do you want to catch pneumonia out there?” Myths about how we contract and treat diseases,  “He won’t get into Harvard without Baby Einstein.” Myths about babies and children, and “Shots made my baby autistic.” Myths that spark controversy and debate. The book’s organization makes it easy to find any specific topic.

Within each section are numerous short chapters. With funny titles and lots of facts they are interesting and enjoyable to read. At the end of many chapters there is a box, which includes extra information about a similar myth. The presentation of statistics, facts, and research are fit into short exciting chapters. The arrangement of each chapter allows the reader to understand each topic and not lose interest before moving to the next one.

The compelling format of the book and chapters creates an educational but also fascinating book. Carroll and Vreeman’s organization adds to the rhetoric of their writing.