This book investigates the intersection of scientific research and political influence, questioning how institutional power shapes the direction and integrity of American scientific inquiry. Philip M. Boffey, a veteran science journalist, utilizes his extensive background in investigative reporting to examine the National Academy of Sciences and its advisory role to the federal government. The text argues that the scientific establishment often operates with insufficient transparency, leading to potential conflicts of interest and the prioritization of political agendas over objective research. By analyzing historical case studies and administrative structures, Boffey provides a critical framework for understanding the mechanisms of scientific governance.

Experts and historians of science frequently cite this work as a significant critique of the mid-20th-century scientific establishment. Readers often note the investigative depth of the prose, which provides a detailed look at the bureaucratic challenges inherent in linking science to public policy.