Creationism Vs. Evolution (At Issue Series)

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 90 pages
• Published by: Greenhaven Press October 2001
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 073770795X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0737707953
• Book Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.5 inches
• Weighs: 11 ounces

From School Library Journal
Grade ten Up-Even if this book were written in a clear, understandable manner, it seems doubtful that the arguments presented would change any minds about this controversial subject. It is hard to imagine who the intended audience might be. Alternating chapters by many academics with impressive credentials basically attempt to marshal the evidence in such a way as to discredit the other side. Most of the writing will not be accessible to average readers of any age, but especially not teens. In presenting the creationist assertions, the authors included here make up proof to suit their purpose or blithely ignore the overwhelming evidence from many different scientific disciplines such as geology, astronomy, and chemistry. The scientists who favor evolutionary theory tend to write in such a way that their thoughts are not clear to nonscientists. One exception is an great article from the National Academy of Sciences explaining why creationism should not be part of any public school science curriculum, as many of its advocates propose. Some of the essays could possibly be useful for debate classes, but as a whole the book will have difficulty finding an audience.
David Pauli, Hillsboro Public Library, OR
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Review
"The topic is intriguing, and the generally vehement tome of the selections provides much for students to ponder and debate."
-- Booklist (Febraury 2003) (Booklist 20020701)

"This book is great for debate material or as a writing prompt for persuasive essays. This collection is for mature readers with the critical-thinking skills needed to understand and evaluate the materials."
-- School Library Journal (August 2002) (School Library Journal 20020615)

"The book should prove useful for research papers or debates. This is a reasoned and relatively neutral treatment."
-- School Library Journal (July 2002) (School Library Journal 20020601)

"Contributors include doctors, psychiatrists, and members of activist groupsArguments, which are accompanied by references are well presented and occasionally quite riveting. Lots of opinion and information worth further examination."
-- Booklist (June 2002) (Booklist 20020515)

"A wealth of diagrams and illustrations helps clarify the procedures and principles essential to understanding the discussions."
-- School Library Journal (June 2002) (School Library Journal 20020401)

"Throughout this text keeps arguments even-tempered, information straightforward, and details unsensationalized."
-- Booklist (May 2002) (Booklist 20010401)

"Greenhaven's anthologies provide pertinent, original source material for researchers who are interested in varied perpectives on controversial topics. Most middle and high school libraries have books in their collections that deal with these issues, but few do so in such a clearly differentiatied, balanced manner. These slim volumescomplement and balance books that purport to deal with the topics in general or that present only one viewpoint. Recommended."
-- The Book Report (March-April 2002) (Book Report 20010401)

"Among the books many strengths is its inclusion of diverse, opinionated essayists who come from many professions and have varying expertise."
-- Booklist (April 2001) (Booklist 20010315)

"For readers who prefer to know both sides of a perspective, Greenhaven Press presents a new series - At Issue. Experts offer their opinions on controversial subjects facing our society today. The At Issue series is for the discerning reader. If you want to be well versed and understanding on a specific topic, this series will open your mind on the many sides of an issue."
-- Eclectic Book Reviews (January-April 2001) (UNKNOWN 20010101)

"Collection of starkly personal essaysFirst human being accounts then take readers on some startling and intimate journeys. A few essays are more analyticalSome are impassioned viewsIn all cases, the writers include vivid details and some eye-opening viewpoints."
-- Booklist (March 2001) (Booklist 20000601)

"This series on current issues provides full-length articles that offer a range of opinions of various controversial topics. The variety of opinions presented, along with the references provided, will help students get a sense of the various aspects of the issue and encourage critical thinking. Helpful for social studies classes and high school and public libraries, for students preparing term papers."
-- Kliatt (January 2001) (KLIATT )

"This debate in a book give a broad overiew of the subject by leading advocates on all sides. The writing tens toward the technical style of the journals represented, making this most appealing as a research source."
-- School Library Journal (June 2000) (School Library Journal ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Reader Reviews
This review is from: At Issue Series - Creationism vs. Evolution (paperback edition) (At Issue Series) (Board book) This slim volume contains 11 articles, six by evolutionists, five by creationists. The creationist articles are atrocious, but they nevertheless represent the best creationism has to offer: (i) an exposition of the idea of "irreducible complexity" by Michael Behe; (ii) an argument by Duane Gish that creationism should be taught in science classrooms because it is just as scientific as evolution; (iii) the argument, here set forth by Ker C. Thomson, that evolution violates the second law of thermodyanmics; (iv) the argument by Dean L. Overman that life could not have originated without supernatural activity; and (v) a bizarre article by Jonathan Wells arguing that evolutionists believe in evolution only because of pure bias in favor of metaphysical naturalism, and that a designer could not, in fact, have created a world much different than the one we see. The evolutionist articles are generally good: (i) Richard Dawkins discusses the evolution of the eye; (ii) the National Academy of Sciences offers its statement about evolution and the relationship between science and religion; (iii) Robert T. Pennock explains why evolution does not violate the second law of thermodynamics; (iv) Michael Ruse takes a scattershot approach against all sorts of creationist arguments and assertions; (v) David A. Thomas argues that the fossil record supports evolution; and (vi) Kenneth R. Miller explains why he thinks evolution is perfectly consistent with belief in God. This book does not by any means cover all of the ground there is to cover in the debate (for instance, there are no selections concerning the age of the earth), and not all of the selections are exactly matched against one another in a point-counterpoint fashion (that is, half of a creationist article may be refuted in one evolutionist article, and the other half in a different one), but all in all, this is a decent starting point for new students of the creationism vs. evolution debate.