No More Tears Book Review | Gardiner Harris’ Scathing J&J Exposé
Author: Gardiner Harris
Genres: Investigative Journalism, Healthcare, Corporate Ethics
Publication Date: April 2025
Publisher: Random House
Pages: 464 ISBN: 9780593229866 ([Publishers Weekly](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780593229866), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_More_Tears_%28Klein_and_Thompson_book%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Overview
No More Tears is an investigative tour de force by Gardiner Harris uncovering decades of malfeasance beneath Johnson & Johnson’s trusted public image. From asbestos in baby powder to marketing opioid patches and suppressing drug risks, the book is a stinging indictment of industry, regulators, and media complicity. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Spoiler-Free Summary
Harris catalogs a series of J&J scandals—the asbestos-laden talc, tumor-promoting Procrit, Risperdal’s off-label abuse, defective hip implants, and underwhelming COVID vaccine—showing how the company and regulators prioritized profit over safety. Whistleblowers emerge as rare moral voices. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Writing Style & Craft
The narrative delivers sharp clarity, grounded in deep document research, courtroom records, and expert interviews. Harris interweaves scientific, legal, and historical strands into a compelling exposé of systemic failure. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Themes
- Loss of Corporate Trust: When beloved brands exploit public faith.
- Regulatory Capture: How industry funding and influence warp oversight.
- Whistleblowers as Safeguards: Drug reps and others as unexpected ethical heroes. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths: Thorough research, clarity of writing, and powerful whistleblower portraits. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Weaknesses: Some sections may feel dense for readers less interested in regulatory or medical jargon. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Verdict
No More Tears is essential reading—journalistic, enraging, and ultimately revealing. Harris forces us to confront how consumer protection can be sacrificed in pursuit of profit. A vital wake-up call. Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Further Reading
For more perspectives, see The Washington Post review, The Week’s overview, and AP’s coverage. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} ::contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Related Reviews
For more investigative nonfiction uncovering powerful systems, try Culpability, What We Can Know, or Abundance. Track your reading with our Reading Tracker.