Oh yes, with you on this. I recall a novel about the building of Stonehenge where the hero runs away from the tribe and survives by eating turtles and lizards! Or the science fiction one where the hero's best friend made the rank of general in 4 years. Or the... well you get the point!
I find that when I come across one of these glaring errors, I immediately start to doubt all the other facts the author has been stating. It's like watching QI on the telly. I'm a zoologist and know nothing about history of art or Argentinian cookery. But when they spout utter bollocks about zoology, I then instantly suspect anything they tell me about history of art or Argentinian cookery.
no subject
I find that when I come across one of these glaring errors, I immediately start to doubt all the other facts the author has been stating. It's like watching QI on the telly. I'm a zoologist and know nothing about history of art or Argentinian cookery. But when they spout utter bollocks about zoology, I then instantly suspect anything they tell me about history of art or Argentinian cookery.