However, the section that focuses on — and I quote — "scary toxins" and risk assessment is not only misleading; it's quite patronising and doesn't feel like it was co-authored by someone who has studied chemical and environmental engineering at Stanford University (Adam) and should really know better.
After tipping my hat to the Method boys so many times in the course of this book I was annoyed at them for letting me down this way. Their brand, concept and products are good enough without having to go down this road. I'm sure they'd have plenty of other messages with which they could make their fortune.
I was offered the opportunity to contact the authors. After discussing this aspect of the book with Adam via email, I understand their reasoning for publishing as it is. I just don't like how they've presented themselves here. Yes, I understand that tapping into scientific illiteracy and chemophobia for marketing purposes is now big business and Method are hardly the first or last company to take that route. What Adam wrote to me in emails was far more sensible and factually correct than what's in the book. I wish they had used that tone instead.
What does come across is that they clearly want to have a superior product and care a lot about how their customers feel when they're using them. If you put aside the twisted facts, you do get a product that is still far more environmentally friendly, nicer to use and most certainly the prettiest detergent bottle you're likely to encounter.
On that note, I shall leave you with a summary of the book taken from the authors' own conclusion:
"Really, if there is one thing we want you to take away from this book it's... buy our soap. Lots of it!"
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