Badfinger was a British rock band that rose to prominence in the early 1970s. Their album titled "Magic Christian Music" was released in 1970 and played a significant role in their career. The title of the album was inspired by the film "The Magic Christian," which featured Badfinger performing their hit song "Come and Get It." The album showcased Badfinger's unique blend of pop and rock, with catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics. It included a mix of original songs and covers, demonstrating the band's versatility. The standout track from the album was "Come and Get It," written by Paul McCartney and produced by George Martin.
But as Offit reveals, alternative medicine—an unregulated industry under no legal obligation to prove its claims or admit its risks—can actually be harmful to our health. Even though some popular therapies are remarkably helpful due to the placebo response, many of them are ineffective, expensive, and even deadly. In Do You Believe in Magic? he explains how
But as Offit reveals, alternative medicine an unregulated industry under no legal obligation to prove its claims or admit its risks can actually be harmful to our health. , offers a scathing expose of the alternative medicine industry, revealing how even though some popular therapies are remarkably helpful due to the placebo response, many of them are ineffective, expensive, and even deadly.
The standout track from the album was "Come and Get It," written by Paul McCartney and produced by George Martin. This song became an international hit and helped put Badfinger on the map. "Magic Christian Music" also featured several other notable tracks, including "No Matter What," a power-pop anthem that remains one of the band's most popular songs.
Do You Believe in Magic? - by Paul A Offit (Paperback)
In Do You Believe in Magic?, medical expert Paul A. Offit, M.D., offers a scathing expose of the alternative medicine industry, revealing how even though some popular therapies are remarkably helpful due to the placebo response, many of them are ineffective, expensive, and even deadly.Dr. Offit reveals how alternative medicine--an unregulated industry under no legal obligation to prove its claims or admit its risks--can actually be harmful to our health.Using dramatic real-life stories, Offit separates the sense from the nonsense, showing why any therapy--alternative or traditional--should be scrutinized. He also shows how some nontraditional methods can do a great deal of good, in some cases exceeding therapies offered by conventional practitioners.An outspoken advocate for science-based health advocacy who is not afraid to take on media celebrities who promote alternative practices, Dr. Offit advises, "There's no such thing as alternative medicine. There's only medicine that works and medicine that doesn't."
Book Synopsis
Medical expert Paul A. Offit, M.D., offers a scathing exposé of the alternative medicine industry, revealing how even though some popular therapies are remarkably helpful due to the placebo response, many of them are ineffective, expensive, and even deadly.
Dr. Offit reveals how alternative medicine--an unregulated industry under no legal obligation to prove its claims or admit its risks--can actually be harmful to our health.
Using dramatic real-life stories, Offit separates the sense from the nonsense, showing why any therapy--alternative or traditional--should be scrutinized. He also shows how some nontraditional methods can do a great deal of good, in some cases exceeding therapies offered by conventional practitioners.
An outspoken advocate for science-based health advocacy who is not afraid to take on media celebrities who promote alternative practices, Dr. Offit advises, "There's no such thing as alternative medicine. There's only medicine that works and medicine that doesn't."
From the Back Cover
A half century ago, acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, Chinese herbs, Christian exorcisms, dietary supplements, chiropractic manipulations, and ayurvedic remedies were considered on the fringe of medicine. Now these practices--known variably as alternative, complementary, holistic, or integrative medicine--have become mainstream, used by half of all Americans today to treat a variety of conditions, from excess weight to cancer.
But alternative medicine is an unregulated industry under no legal obligation to prove its claims or admit its risks, and many popular alternative therapies are ineffective, expensive, or even deadly. In Do You Believe in Magic? Dr. Offit debunks the treatments that don't work and tells us why, and takes on the media celebrities who promote alternative medicine. Using dramatic real-life stories, he separates the sense from the nonsense, explaining why any therapy--alternative or traditional--should be scrutinized. As Dr. Offit explains, some popular therapies are remarkably helpful due to the placebo response, but "there's no such thing as alternative medicine. There's only medicine that works and medicine that doesn't."
Review Quotes
"Important and timely . . . Offit writes in a lucid and flowing style, and grounds a wealth of information within forceful and vivid narratives. This makes his argument - that we should be guided by science - accessible to a wide audience." -- New Republic
"Lively. . . . Informative and well-written, the book deserves a wide audience among the general public, scientists, and health care professionals." -- Science
"Convincing." -- Forbes
"This excellent, easy-to-read look at the alternative-medicine industry is highly recommended." -- Library Journal (starred review)
"Do You Believe in Magic? is a briskly written, entertaining, and well-researched examination of those whom Offit considers 'unclothed emperors' purveyors of miracle cancer cures, fountains of youth, and the theory that vaccines cause autism." -- Boston Globe
"Over the last decade [Offit] has become a leading debunker of mass misconceptions surrounding infections and vaccines, and now he is taking on the entire field of alternative medicine, from acupuncture to vitamins." -- New York Times
"A fascinating history of hucksters, and a critical chronology of how supplements escaped regulation. . . . A bravely unsentimental and dutifully researched guide for consumers to distinguish between quacks and a cure." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"A rousing good read, strong on human interest and filled with appalling and amazing data." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
An outspoken advocate for science-based health advocacy who is not afraid to take on media celebrities who promote alternative practices, Dr. Offit advises, "There's no such thing as alternative medicine. There's only medicine that works and medicine that doesn't."
Other standout tracks on the album included "Carry On till Tomorrow," "Midnight Sun," and "Dear Angie," all of which showcased the band's songwriting talent and ability to create memorable hooks. Despite their initial success, Badfinger faced numerous challenges throughout their career, including personal and financial struggles. Tragically, the band's story ended in tragedy with the suicides of two of its members, Pete Ham and Tom Evans, which had a lasting impact on their legacy. Nevertheless, "Magic Christian Music" stands as a testament to the talent and potential of Badfinger. The album captures the band's ability to create infectious pop-rock tunes with a touch of magic. It remains a beloved record among fans and continues to introduce new listeners to the magic of Badfinger's music..
Reviews for "The Commercial Success (or Lack Thereof) of Badfinger's "Magic Christian Music"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with Badfinger's "Magic Christian Music." The album felt very disjointed and lacked a cohesive sound. It seemed like they were trying to experiment with different styles, but it didn't work for me. The songs felt rushed and lacked the catchy melodies that I enjoy from Badfinger. Overall, I found the album to be underwhelming and not up to their usual standards.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high hopes for Badfinger's "Magic Christian Music," but it fell short for me. The production quality was not up to par, and it felt like the band was trying too hard to please a commercial audience. The songs were forgettable, and I didn't connect with any of the lyrics. It's a shame because I usually enjoy Badfinger's music, but this album just didn't do it for me.
3. Mike - 1/5 - I couldn't stand Badfinger's "Magic Christian Music." The album felt like a collection of random songs that had no flow or coherence. The production was sloppy, and the vocals lacked passion. I found myself skipping through most of the tracks because they were just plain boring. I expected more from Badfinger, but this album was a major disappointment. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
4. Emily - 1/5 - "Magic Christian Music" by Badfinger was a complete letdown for me. The songs lacked originality and sounded like generic, run-of-the-mill rock tracks. There was nothing memorable about this album, and it felt like a wasted opportunity from a band that had shown promise in the past. The production was lackluster, and the overall sound was uninspired. I regret spending money on this album and would not recommend it to others.