The Science of Evolution and the Myth of Creationism: Knowing What's Real and Why It Matters [Hardcover]

Ardea Skybreak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2006

This clear, lively, and systematic presentation examines the scientific evidence for evolution and reaches for the widest possible audience—from scientific minds to those with no science background at all. Forcefully rejecting creationist objections to evolution and including a critique of Intelligent Design, it argues that they are part of a larger social agenda. With discussion that celebrates the fascination to be found in studying the diversity and complexity of life, this examination suggests with some urgency that the science of evolution is crucial to the existence of science itself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Well-written, concise, and comprehensive.... Accessible to the general reader and uncompromising in its logic and accuracy."  —Kevin Padian, president, National Center for Science Education and professor of biology, University of California–Berkeley

"[Uses] the errors of creationism . . . to help explain and contrast the principles of evolutionary biology. It's fascinating."  —Pharyngula

"[An] up-to-date scientific case for evolution and against creationism (including 'intelligent design')."  —The Skeptic Annotated Bibliography

"Recommended for public libraries and undergraduate collections."  —e-streams.com

"A lively, entertaining and even important book . . . highly recommend[ed] for all academic collections: college, university and even high school and middle school."  —Confessions of a Science Librarian (weblog)

"[Ardea Skybreak] tells her truth in a documented and clear way that will inspire in many students a new interest in science."  —KLIATT

About the Author

Ardea Skybreak was formally trained as a biologist specializing in evolutionary biology and community ecology and is the author of Primeval Steps and Future Leaps: An Essay on the Emergence of Human Beings, the Source of Women's Oppression, and the Road to Emancipation.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Insight Press (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976023679
• ISBN-13: 978-0976023678
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,906,775 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ardea Skybreak teaches the controversy, December 17, 2006

By 

Paul Z. Myers (Morris, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Science of Evolution and the Myth of Creationism: Knowing What's Real and Why It Matters (Paperback)

Most books that teach the basics of evolutionary biology are fairly genteel in their treatment of creationism--they don't endorse it, of course, but they either ignore it, or more frequently now, they segregate off a chapter to deal with the major claims. There are also whole books dedicated to combating creationist myths, of course, but they're not usually the kind of book you pick up to get a tutorial in basic biology. In my hands I have an example of a book that does both, using the errors of creationism heavily to help explain and contrast the principles of evolutionary biology--it's fascinating. This is what we should do if we were to "teach the controversy" in the classroom; it's not what the other side wants, because teaching it honestly would mean the creationists would be the comic relief and endless whipping boy of the course, as they should be.

The book is The Science of Evolution and the Myth of Creationism by Ardea Skybreak. It's very good, but right up front I'll mention its flaw, and one reason few scientists write books from this perspective: the frequent comparisons with creationism mean we're also hoping the book will someday be hopelessly obsolete, if ever we can get those myths treated like the jokes they are. Scientists who are not engaged in the culture war are going to regard the book rather quizzically, since it does raise up nonsensical issues frequently; it really requires a peculiarly modern American context to make it all work. It's one of those books that, the more it is read, the less relevant its approach would become.

But it does work in that context. Skybreak covers all the key concepts, but does so in a passionate, refreshingly aggressive way. She doesn't hesitate to call a stupid idea stupid, and back up the charge with the evidence. If your interest in evolution isn't simply academic, this is an excellent book to simultaneously inform and instruct, and supply the reasoning to deal with creationist foolishness. It's also refreshing to see a book that isn't timid about pointing out that fundamentalist religion is the source of the problem, and that isn't afraid of offending creationists. It makes for an invigorating read, and I recommend it highly.

It's not too late to order it for Christmas! It's perfect for that person who wants to learn some solid biology, but also wants to be an activist for good science.

I do feel obligated to mention one thing that didn't disturb me at all, but some readers might be concerned about. The book began as a series of articles in The Revolutionary Worker. There are a few hints of sympathy for socialist ideals in a few of the sidebars and endnotes, a sympathy I share (perhaps with significant reservations not held by the author), but otherwise, this is not an ideological work. Read it for the good science and the healthy slams against creationism without reservations about the source.

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing way to defend evolution, December 22, 2006

By 

Taner Edis (Kirksville, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Science of Evolution and the Myth of Creationism: Knowing What's Real and Why It Matters (Paperback)

A very interesting attack on creationism. Skybreak presents a very up to date scientific case for evolution and against creationism (including "intelligent design"), taking care to explain all of this in an accessible manner. This really is a book for the general public, with no trace of a dry textbook tone. What makes it particularly interesting is the way Skybreak does not shy away from attacking fundamentalist religion and politics, treating evolutionary science as an integral part of a strongly leftist political point of view. Most defenses of evolution tend to avoid politics and adopt a superficial liberal compatibilism where religion is concerned. Skybreak makes it clear that she has no use for the supernatural and that evolution is part of the reason, while acknowledging that many liberal religious people also oppose creationism. The result is a book well worth reading, both as an introduction to the debate and as a way to brush up for those already involved. Skybreak's Marxism is not too heavyhanded, and her overall approach is quite refreshing.

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you buy only one book on creationism, make it this one!, March 29, 2007

By 

Gregory T. Laden (Minneapolis, MN, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Science of Evolution and the Myth of Creationism: Knowing What's Real and Why It Matters (Paperback)

"Everyone needs to understand the basic facts of evolution as well as the essentials of the scientific method... When people are deprived of a scientific approach to reality as a whole, they are robbed of both a full appreciation of the beauty and richness of the natural world and the means to understand the dynamics of change not only in nature but in human society as well."

-Ardea Skybreak, "The Science of Evolution and the Myth of Creationism"

Ardea Skybreak's new book, "The Science of Evolution and the Myth of Creationism: Knowing what's real and why it matters" is a comprehensive treatment of creationism, in all of its forms, in relation to the practice and teaching of evolution and science in general. This book provides a point by point description of creationist arguments and refutation of those arguments, and a very usable summary of the related evolutionary concepts.

Skybreak describes and summarizes evolutionary theory focusing on the areas usually brought up by creationists (such as speciation, micro- vs. macro evolution, transitional fossils, etc.). She clearly positions anti-evolution arguments in a broader context as an "assault on science in the name of god" and she positions the "science of evolution" as fundamental to science itself. In her treatment of the most recent forms of creationism such as Intelligent Design Creationism, she makes the argument that IDC is largely just more of the same thing, but does not dismiss the specifics of the argument ... rather she address them. Then, of course, they are dismissed as the drivel that they are. You can expect this volume to serve as a reference tool in that it describes and carefully treats all the creationist "schools of thought" providing both convincing arguments (for fence sitters) and the tools an educator should have in addressing these issues. At present, this may be the most comprehensive discussion available, and it is certainly up to date.

The book is loaded with dozens of "supplemental" inserts, which you can think of as side-bars, on a variety of topics. For example, "Were We Bound to Evolve? -- The Role of Random and Non-Random Factors in Evolution;" "Humans and Dinosaurs?! Another Creationist Absurdity;" and "Rare Variants of the Almost Entirely Universal Genetic Code Are Evidence of Evolution, Not Design."

The author could possibly be characterized as a nontheist or atheist with Marxist or progressive leanings. Her treatment of the religious aspects of creationism's attack on evolution is crisp and dismissive. At the same time, her approach is not idealistic, but rather, appropriately materialistic and straight forward. Her philosophical comments are limited to the obvious condensate from the interaction between incredibly stupid ideas and basic science. I don't think Skybreak's book requires rejection of religion to accept evolution, but if you are looking for a way to reconcile religious belief with scientific reality, you won't (thank god) find it here.

I think you could use this book in a college biology class, because it covers the basics of evolution, along with well chosen examples. If you are interested in teaching students evolutionary biology and at the same time giving them the tools to address creationism as it rears it's ugly head in social, educational, and political contexts, then add this inexpensive and well written volume to your reading list. The book is organized in such a way that various chapters and side-bars (supplementals) can be linked to the usual reading material in any introductory or intermediate course on evolution. One could argue that setting up any straw man is good pedagogy if done correctly. This volume does a good job at teaching evolution by using creationism in its various forms as a kind of Swiss Army Knife of Straw Men.


This is the only book I have read that has encomia from both leading experts in the field as well from guys in prison... oh, and from one high school student.