Customer Reviews

Billions of Missing Links: A Rational Look at the Mysteries Evolution Can't Explain

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NOTE TO READERS: This review was subjected to a negative vote campaign beginning December 29, 2007. There is a small cadre of Amazon reviewers and cohorts who vote down any review that is not a uniform attack on a book advocating intelligent design. Their express purpose is to try to dissuade people from reading the book. This is a juvenile tactic which undermines Amazon's whole voting system. Please keep in mind that the huge number of negative votes given to the bulk of reviews on this page do not reflect upon either the author or the book. Review follows.

Despite living a century before Karl Popper, the great philosopher of Science, Darwin understood that any genuine scientific theory had to include the possibility of falsification. He therefore suggested in 1872 that if any complex organ (or organism) existed which could not have evolved from successive small steps or "modifications" that his theory would "ultimately break down." The bulk of this book by Geoffrey Simmons is an attempt to do just that. In it he quickly surveys the plant and animal kindoms and finds numerous instances of living organisms with traits so unique and highly adapted that, he argues, they could not have evolved in short successive steps.

Repeating the many examples Simmons offers would be beyond the scope of this review, but in general Simmons suggests two versions of his critique to Darwin's theory. The first is the lack of fossil antecedents. In his discussion of bats, for example, Simmons notes that bat fossils can be found over a period of 50 million years but each fossil shows clearly defined bat characteristics, including echolocation abilities and unique tendons that allow bats to easily hang upside down. There are, he notes, no obvious predecessors which perhaps occasionally fell (darn those unevolved tendons) or flew into cave walls (better sonar next time...). Similar points are made about the dragonfly.

Simmons's second critique, far more common than the first, is that it is impossible to imagine successful intermediate steps for some plant and animal traits. He notes that many species are so highly adapted that they have symbiotic relationships with other plants or animals. Since these behaviors and accompanying physical characteristics are so closely bound together, one has a hard time imagining just how these relationships could have evolved independently. One example of this is the Mojave Yucca and the Yucca Moth. Although it is not mentioned in this book, the relationship between the two is characterized in popular literature as a "mystery" of the desert. But this is only a mystery if one assumes Darwin's hypothesis of slight modifications. Other examples Simmons offers include resident bacteria within humans that allow us to utilize vitamin K.

As I read through the book, I found myself wondering, "How would a biologist who accepted the theory of evolution respond to all this?" Having read some of the popular literature from this perspective, I can imagine 3 quick responses with varying degrees of effectiveness. As to the fossil record, at least a few Darwinists will respond that only a small portion of fossils are preserved. We could easily find a bat predecessor tomorrow and pointing to the lack of fossil predecessors in some species is simply a "Designer [not God] in the Gaps" hypothesis. (Simmons correctly notes there is nothing specifically Christian in the design argument, though many Darwinists will disagree--their views on this matter reflect more their ignorance of theology than their knowledge of biology.) This is a fair point, but it must be noted that they are placing their faith in a "Darwin in the gaps" hypothesis. More to the point, however, if Darwin is correct, we should expect to find mostly intermediate fossils since successive slight modifications would leave more intermediate than modern fossils, even if only a small portion of all fossils are preserved. We emphatically do not find this, and that point suggests the weakness of this argument. But other arguments raised by Darwinists could be more effective. It should be noted, for example, that natural selection as understood by Darwin and his followers is supposed to explain adaptation. Simmons, they might argue, is vindicating their own thesis in pointing to several dramatic adaptations. Moreover, Simmons does not "deny" natural selection as such. He merely suggests it is not fully sufficient to account for all the variation and uniqueness we find in the natural world. Readers can decide for themselves how effective Simmons's examples are in his chapter on adaptation. I personally found them persuasive, but am willing to consider alternative interpretations.

But perhaps the most powerful argument a defender of Darwin could offer would be to take the opposite approach to Simmons altogether. Where Simmons has pointed to hundreds of examples of uniqueness among plants and animals in the natural world, a Darwinist (not a term they like, but much nicer and more accurate than the descriptions they make of ID theorists) might point to similarities in the animal kingdom. The human genome, they note, is very similar to that of a chimp (90-98%, depending on which source you read). Indeed, our genome shares about half the DNA sequences of a banana. Positive proof, they might argue, for a single tree of life. But then again, it could be DNA sequencing is not a very useful measure. Here again, readers will have to decide for themselves how persuasive the argument from similarity is against the evidence marshalled by Simmons.

In the end, however, I enjoyed the book. Written for a popular audience, this book offers a whirlwind tour through the natural world and its many wonders. Whether or not you find evolution convincing as an explanation for all, or merely some, of what Simmons describes, this is a fun read. So if you want a popular introduction to one aspect of intelligent design, or if you are simply curious about the amazing diversity to be found in life on this planet, this book is a worth your time in reading it.

Dr. Simmons starts every chapter with an appropriate quotation, either funny or relevant. Following the title and quote comes a facts packed, humorous look into a different aspect of the animal and plant world. This is a literary work revealing science. The sprinkling of tongue in cheek comments throughout the book was totally enjoyable.

I learned more interesting information about the animal kingdom from this book than I have gleaned in the rest of my life. Stories of the cell from hell, cockroaches running 3 times faster than cheetahs, the weaponry possessed by insects, hibernation and estivation, migration, etc. etc. etc. kept me entertained, amazed, and edified all at the same time. My appreciation for bacteria and even viruses went from zero to 90 in 4 pages.

To top it off the book finished with the most succinct argument against common descent, nondirected evolution that I have seen. After having had time to fully digest this, I label it a culinary masterpiece.

I recommend that all home school and private schools use this book

and also What Darwin Did Not Know, Dr. Simmons similar book on the human race, for classroom material.

I'd put this book at about the middle of the pack of the ID books I have read. It's certainly not groundbreaking like "Black Box" or "Icons" or some of the others, but at the same time it is well written and entertaining. If you have a gram of objectivity, and most of you don't as will be evidenced by how many negative votes this review will get from people who never even read it, you have to observe that there are a lot of bright people writing books on ID these days, both for and against. Just labeling it creationism and moving on is an easy way to avoid dealing with it, but the author makes an honest effort to marshal his facts and present his case in about as non-threatening and non-condescending way as possible.
What it lacks is a key issue, like irreducible complexity or the design filter or one of those things that are hard to argue. The main observation reminds me more of the William Pawley view that things this complex and wonderful have to have been designed. While I would agree, I don't think the case is overwhelming, and I don't think his points are likely to move anyone off of their stance, assuming anyone reads it who doesn't already agree with the premise. He has about as many amazing science facts as you're likely to come across in one place, and that can make it interesting no matter where you are coming from. "Darwin's Ghosts" was like that for me from the other side- I found his evolutionary arguments very unconvincing but enjoyed the forays into animal behavior.
All that to say, it's a good read and well worth the effort, but in my opionion it misses as a top-tier ID book.

Dr. Simmons is one of the rare people in the discussion of Intelligent Design versus Evolution that has a significant knowledge of both sides of the issue. While most have a grade school education of either the biology and theology and a developed understanding of the other, Dr. Simmons is a medical doctor (a doctor of internal medicine) and a dedicated student of origins science and theology. To truly understand a problem, one must understand both sides, hence the importance.

Simmons begins with a brief discussion of the scientific method and then means of recognizing design from accident. Then the author digs into the examples he spends the rest of the book discussing. The premise of the book is to highlight examples of irreducible complexity and impossible linkage to anything in "evolution's history." For instance, the improbability of randomly occurring animals like the elephant that has so many special attributes that it boggles the mind that they could evolve in parallel. Also, some design items outstrip the boundaries of biology and step into areas of astronomy, physics and chemistry.

The strength of the book is the diversity of the examples brought to bear. The examples are left to those to recognize on their own as being a problem with conventional Evolutionary thought. The author does not explicitly point to the problems for the theory of Evolution.

One thing the book assumes is an understanding of genetics. This is not to say the book discusses genetic components in detail that only the initiated could understand, but is to say that if one understands genetics driving these supposed evolutionary changes, there simply is not enough time for them to occur regardless of the age of the earth. Simply put, there is a wealth of evidence in this book that is assumed because of the mammoth genetic Mt Everests needing to be repeatedly hurdled to create such biological diversity.

This is not necessarily where I would recommend a study of Evolution versus Intelligent Design. There are too many things the reader must understand prior to digging in to this work. I would recommend either digging into Sanford's "Genetic Entropy" or any of Hugh Ross's and/or Michael Behe's works first. This works as a good supplementary text to those works.

I was surprised by this book and that is why I decided to write a review, which usually I don't.

Billion of missing links is a long list, describing what we call in one word "Nature". I think mostly we think that we know what is going on around us, or at least we think that someone knows. We take our precarious inexplicable existence on earth for granted and try not to think about it.

I enjoyed opening my eyes to the wonderful, amazing world we are part of, the constant changing of everything, while keeping the delicate equilibrium of existence. I choose to believe chance (what does that word really means?) is not the only mechanism behind the fact that you are reading now on your computer the words I am writing right now.

While not all examples are compelling (some perhaps inaccurate), overall this is an incredibly well written book worth your time and consideration. Very far from a God-of-the-gaps argument, this book takes you on a journey through the natural world and compells an intellectually honest person to ask whether or not natural selection acting on random mutuation can really account for the complexity of life. To put it another way, is there really compelling EVIDENCE for random mutation and natural selection creating the biological machines and co-dependent mechanisms that exist in nature and are described by this book. The variety and abundance of lifeforms and components of lifeforns is enormous. Shouldn't there be an equally enormous body of evidence to demonstrate how mutation resulted in positive, co-dependent functions? Shouldn't there be evidence of abiogenesis, abundant living evidence of speciation, abundant living and fossil evidence of failed mutations, and the ability to demonstrate how co-dependent systems co-evolved, etc. etc. etc.? Whether you believe in God as a Creator or mutation as a creator, you'll enjoy reading this book.

Let's see, first there is nothing. Then out of this nothing some little cell just appears and all of a sudden we have life. Humm, it needs FOOD. Does the food this organism need just happen to appear with it? Oh yeah, and to reproduce, there has to be a second organism and oh yeah.... MORE FOOD. And we are suppose to believe that the food provided was exactly what this organism needed, and that it was right beside it, because it couldn't move yet. And that these two organisms knew how to procreate just by chance. I know this is very simplistic, but really, isn't that what evolutionists wanted us to believe? Something comes from nothing and then ALL conditions are favorable from food, water, sunlight, temperature and not one, but two organisms so they can reproduce. I'll stick with the Bible which has never been shown to have had an error in it. Translations yes, but original Bible, no. Talk about proof. Not one error. Even to the point that it is stated there are seven stars in Orion, (Amos 5:8 KJV) but only six are visible by the human eye. And the Bible was written long before telescopes. Which also points toward the devine inspiration of God in the writing of the Bible, because if this had been written by man, wouldn't he have just said six stars that man could see? Why would he have ever said seven when one isn't visible? I grateful that this book "Bllions of Missing Links" just adds to the validity of the Bible.

I call this ID light because its not as in youre face as some of the other ID literature. I don't think someone who is against ID would be compelled to change their minds after reading this book. If you are an evolutionist, I think you should still find some beauty in this book, and not think of this as a direct insult on youre intelligence. This is a book filled with all kinds in neat facts that I think everyone can enjoy. Yes he clearly promotes ID, but he says you be the judge, could this model fit in with a design or do you think evolution has a better explination?

What really sold me on this book was scamming through it in the book store. I didn't even really want to buy it till I flipped through. It seems almost every sentence has something interesting. For example I just opend it to get a random quote and here it goes on page 212 about halfway down the page states "The bristle millipede is covered with tiny tufts and rows of velcro-like bristles that easily detach when the insect is attacked." Not that its the best part or anything, but I hope you can see how this book reads.

My overall favorite part is about ratios and symmetry. The fibonacci sequence is incredible! The bodys symmetry, The body mass and blood volume in mammals are intricately related. Even the heart size is dependant on the animal. There were better facts than that, but thats what sticks out currently in my mind. Sounds to me like a design! Like I said before, that may not convince you, but these are great facts and a fun read!

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (3/07)

"Billions of Missing Links" by Geoffrey Simmons is an intelligent and logical discussion of how we got here. From conception to birth, the journey to get here is precisely orchestrated. "The whole process is beyond complexity; it is an evolutionary impossibility." "Contrary to common belief, laboratory experiments have never scientifically proven Darwin's theory of evolution; nor have they proven Intelligent Design. It's unlikely they ever will." "Modern scientific studies have not made evolution more believable; they have made it less believable."

The systems of the body must work together to insure life. Could this be mere coincidence?

Symbiosis is when two completely different species works together for their mutual survival. Migration is when animals move to a different area at the same time every year to avoid harsh weather but always return to their original origins. "They prepare for this journey with incredible thoroughness and they complete it with impeccable precision. Many do it without ever having been to the other home before." "Science is relatively silent on these issues."

Many animals fatten up for the winter and then go to sleep or hibernate. "The preparation that goes into hibernating is enormous. It cannot have evolved one step at a time in different species. Instinctively, they know what to eat, how to find it, how much to store, when there's enough socked away and when it's time to pull the sheets up again. Their anatomy and physiology are geared for these kinds of complex life changes."

"Most animals and plants have an incredible array of adaptive skills. Those who cannot adapt have moved on to better pastures or died off. Thousands of species have come and gone and the reasons for most are not clear." Some animals are capable of camouflage; some can regulate their temperature. Can this be coincidence?

"Billions of Missing Links" by Geoffrey Simmons is a fascinating book. He challenges readers with the question "Are we a coincidence?" At this point, I will humbly admit that I am a creationist. I believe in the Divine Design. Dr. Simmons explains that there are three different ways of looking at this issue. Dr. Simmons successfully challenges readers to look closely at Intelligent Design. I found this book written simply enough that even a layperson could understand it. Dr. Geoffrey Simmons "has studied the human body and evolutionary theory for more than 40 years." I highly recommend this book.

Received book free of charge.

This book gave me a whole new appreciation for cockroaches. Yes, cockroaches! They are absolutely amazing. Page after page of minute details that make up the hundreds of millions of species here on earth. When evolutionists try to explain how one life form evolved into, or from, another life form, they concentrate on fossils that generally preserve the animals outer structure or skeleton. They brush over the incredible complexity that makes up the inner workings of all living things. This book takes hundreds of diverse life forms and reveals the staggering complex and integrated functions that must have come together all at once. Migration, reproduction, home building, symbiosis, lung capacity, and bioluminescence present enormous challenges to the Darwinian model of natural selection acting on random variation. Practically all of these features are tightly integrated with dozens of other features that are found in animals, insects and microscopic creatures. Time and time again we are confronted with the fact that most kinds of living things have no clear cut transitional ancestors. We should see in the fossil record dozens, if not hundreds, of transitional species for every kind of living thing. This book presents a very strong argument that these intermediaries will never be found because they did not exist in the first place.