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Tornado in a Junkyard: The Relentless Myth of Darwinism

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This excellent summary of creationist arguments against the theory of evolution comes from an unlikely source. Perloff's previous book was The Shadows of Power, an exposé of private influence on American foreign policy. Perloff isn't a professional creationist. He just seems to be an intelligent individual who reads technical literature and understands the reasons why modern scientists are rejecting the theory of evolution.

Chapter 1 tells us about the author's anti-Christian, liberal background. Being the same age as the author, I enjoyed his nostalgic look back at the 1960's. I suspect younger readers would not. The good stuff starts at chapter 2.

Chapter 2 deals with the fossil record. Rather than proving evolution, the fossil record presents evolutionists with problems they must explain away. Perloff gives a good overview of the basic problems.

Chapter 3 explains why genetic mutations can't create higher life forms. There are some obvious logical problems with Darwinian evolution, which are explored in chapter 4. Darwinian evolution must answer the question, "What good is half an eye?" Perloff's brief, but adequate, explanation of irreducible complexity explains why half an organ won't win any battles for survival.

Then he points out that the classification system (taxonomy) is based on the fact that there are distinct differences in species. If evolution were true, it should be hard to classify animals because there should be so many intermediate forms. It would be like trying to divide a rainbow into distinct colors. (Exactly where does Orange end and Red begin?) But animals are easily classified because there are such obvious differences between species.

In chapter 4 he also points out that salamanders have 20 times more DNA than humans. Does that mean salamanders are more highly evolved than humans? Chapter 4 ends by asking why extinction rates today are so high, and modern evolution is unknown.

Darwinian evolution depends on the premise that there is no limit to the changes that can be achieved by selective breeding. Chapter 5 points out the well-known limits to breeding. Species can vary only as much as the pre-existing genetic material allows. You cannot breed a dog into a horse.

In chapter 6, Perloff quotes some modern Nobel Prize-winning scientists who find that the scientific evidence points to intelligent design rather than evolution.

According to evolutionists, pre-biotic molecules came together by chance and formed the first living cell. Chapter 7 examines the probabilities of this happening. Statistical analysis proves it simply can't happen.

Chapters 8 and 9 tell some surprising things most people don't know about the supposed "missing links" between man and ape.

Chapter 10 exposes Haeckel's fraudulent drawings that evolutionists formerly used to prove that the human fetus evolves from a fish to an amphibian, etc., all the way up to humanity in the womb. This chapter also contains many more quotes from respected modern scientists who explain why, in their areas of expertise, the theory of evolution is implausible.

In chapter 11, the focus moves to astronomy, beginning with an explanation of some of the problems with the Big Bang Theory. This leads into the discussion of the age of the Earth in chapter 12, and the invalid assumptions made by radioactive dating in chapter 13. Geologic evidence against evolution and an "old" Earth is presented in chapter 14.

Chapter 15 presents anthropological evidence from several different cultures that all have legends about a global flood. Then chapter 16 cites some ancient literary sources that seem to describe dinosaurs. Was it just coincidence that ancient writers imagined beasts that look just like dinosaurs, or did they really see them?

The Scopes Monkey Trial was used by the ACLU to unfairly characterize creationist positions. The movie Inherit the Wind, which was based on the trial, magnified these distortions. Chapters 17 thorough 20 document these, and other untruths, which have been used to prejudice the general public against creation. Chapter 20 also includes a list of famous scientists who have believed in creation.

The book ends with a brief overview of Christian beliefs, and instructions how to "be saved."

Tornado in a Junkyard doesn't go into the depth on any one particular problem with the theory of evolution. Instead, it gives you a broad overview of all the issues. If you want to read just one book to understand the creation/evolution controversy, this is the book to read.

Having studied issues involved in the debate of creation vs evolution for years, I don't expect to find much, if anything, new in a book supporting either side. I did find something pleasantly new in this book however: a new attitude.

Perloff, in contrast to some people's ideas of people who accept that the world was created, didn't even believe in God for years. He frankly shares how he used to feel, and gives a lively recital of how solid scientific evidence and sound logic lead him to realize that the mythical history produced by evolutionary thought is not possible.

Along the way, he presents the evidences and reasoning in a flowing manner which kept me reading even though I'm familiar with the material, as well as the evolutionists' "refutations" and the creationists' responses to them.

So, not only will beginners get a well-rounded introduction to the subject, but those "in the know" will get a fresh look at the old battlegrounds. If nothing else, Perloff puts the lie to the old adage that you have to be born and raised that way to be a creationist.

Darwin's theory of evolution and "survival of the fittest" are taught as fact in nearly all of today's schools. Any other theory of the source and principles of life on earth are shouted down, belittled and attacked with vigor. But how sound is Darwin's theory?

James Perloff uses statements from evolutionist scientists and those of prominent scientists to expose the weaknesses of evolution theory. In the end, you have to have more faith in miracles to believe in evolution than you do for "intelligent design" theory.

Some of the areas discussed:
* Darwin's own concerns of the weakness of his theory.
* Difference between variation within a species, and transformation of a species into another species.
* Lack of evidence of evolutionary development in the record of 250,000 fossils, or even in the known history of animal life.
* Order does not accidentally arise from disorder.
* Living organisms are rife with examples of irreducible complexity. That is, mechanisms such as reproduction that require many complex components to be available at the same time; there is no means by which the components could be evolved independently.

With so many weaknesses in evolution theory, and so many indications of intelligent design in nature and especially life, why is it that evolutionists are so adamant and vigorous in the defense of their own theory and in the attack of competing theories? In other areas of science multiple theories are acccepted and taught simultaneously until hard proof is developed to disprove one or the other. But when it comes to the origin of life the evolutionists are religious zealots of Darwin. It seems obvious their position is not based on science but on a strong desire to eliminate God (or some supreme intelligent being as the creator and designer of the universe)from science. The premise of a creator God is a more valid and consistent theory of life than evolution.

Perloff extensively documents the premises of evolution theory and the multitude of "holes" in the evidence, or even evidence to the contrary. He uses the words of evolutionists, Nobel honorees, and prominent scientists from microbology to astronomy to introduce and validate his points.

If you are weary of evolutionsist forcing their theory as fact on you, your children and society in general, or are actually a disciplined scientist that wants to explore *all* the aspects of a theory, then read Perloff. James Perloff offers a detailed explanation of the premises and weaknesses of Darwin's theory of evolution. Intelligent design or creationism will appear much more likely as a workable theory than evolution. Science is a useful an honored employment of our rational brain to understand the workings of the world around us. But can we eliminate God from science and still understand the world, especially living organisms? Read Perloff to stimulate your mind.

I just finished this book on a plane. I am an attorney, and largely an agnostic, though I believe there is a higher power.

This book specifically addresses virtually every aspect of Darwinism and evolution, answering many of the questions I had along the way. As I have written elsewhere, I always "believed" in evolution because it seemed, on the surface, logical. However, after reading this book, I can't stop thinking about the arguments it raises clearly and well, and just how little evidence there is for evolution from a primordal soup to man. Indeed, I had no idea the creation theory (while I don't fully buy it) is much less a leap of faith than Darwinism/Macro-evolution. This only becomes obvious when you understand fully what little evidence there is for it. Perloff convinced me that evolution is more a slap at a divine being than a rational supportable scientific theory.

I posed several of the questions to a friend of mine who teaches college biology and zoology. His answers were largely sophmoric pablum I tore apart slowly and methodically with more questions. Once you know what to ask, and have a handle on the evidence and science, it is much easier. Finally, his face went blank, his voice fell silent, and he mustered up the honesty to tell me there really is very little evidence to support macro-evolution. He also said the fully developed fossils found in the oldest layers are "troubling," and the recent developments in DNA and cellular research has--in his words--"nearly closed the door on Darwin's theory." What, I asked him, does this leave us with? He could not say, but he said more and more of his science colleagues are seriously questioning evolution. "What proof is there for evolution?" "None," was his final answer. After reading this book, I can understand why. And he teaches evolution.

I have never cared where facts lead, and value clarity over agreement. Now I believe I have a good understanding of why evolution is so utterly impossible. In fact, I laughed when I finished the book, because knowing WHY it is impossible makes the entire Darwinian house of cards crumble--quickly.

Now my agnostic world has been turned rather upside down. I am not convinced about the creation God-push at the end of the book, but it sure makes a lot more sense than Darwin. Read the book and see for yourself. No one can claim with definity how we got here, but I am now very comfortable knowing that it was not evolution. Time, for me at least, to look elsewhere for the answers.

I am amazed at Perloff's ability to make everything simple. He boils evolution down to a basic element. Can it be proven? No.

He shows how so many hoaxes have been introduced and, even though disproven, we still have pictures of our so called "ancestors" in school books.

It was also refreshing to learn the ACTUAL account of the Scopes Trial and how the makers of the movie INHERIT THE WIND completely destroyed the facts.

If you want a no holds barred expose on evolution, look no further... HERE IT IS! And don't worry about those that are trashing this book. People react that way when their religious beliefs are proven flase.

Thank you, Perloff, for this excellent work.

Though an avid reader of the works of the late Carl Sagan, I am a newcomer to the actual debate between evolution and intelligent design. As a newcomer, I have found James Perloff's "Tornado In A Junkyard: The Relentless Myth of Darwinism" a thorough introduction to creationism and he makes the subject approachable and understandable regardless of what side of the argument the reader stands. Perloff also covers the debate from a number of viewpoints including the impact of Darwinism on history, religion, and political and social philosophy. Admitting that truth should not be judged on its historical impact, Perloff also discusses problems of evolutionary theory in the fields of paleontology, genetics, cellular biochemistry and other scientific disciplines. The book also contains an ample index and almost 670 footnotes from both sides of the aisle making the book a valuable reference tool. Most remarkable is a unique treatment of the 1925 Scopes "Monkey Trial" which most people know only through the 1960 film "Inherit the Wind." Perloff documents the many differences between Hollywood's portrayal of the trial and what happened in reality and brings a new perspective to the debate between Darrow and Bryan. My only two complaints are the book could have been better organized concerning subject matter and the reader sometimes gets lost in jumping from subject to subject with little explanation. Finally, whoever edited the book should have recommended to Perloff to drop the attempts at humor, attempts that are at best distracting and at worst, simply annoying. Nonetheless, Perloff has created a very good introduction to creationism and raised important questions guaranteed to stir discussion and debate between the two camps for some time to come.

Tornado in a Junkyard now ranks as my first recommendation to anyone interested in investigating the Creation/Evolution controversy. Perloff thoroughly lays out the creationist argument in an approchable manner, while thoroughly documenting his resources. I have read nearly 2 dozen books on the topic of creation and evolution, including books by evolutionists, and Tornado is the most comprehensive and interesting to read from a non-technical standpoint. For someone looking for a rigorously scientific/technical treatment on the origin of life, I'd recommend "Mysteries of Life's Origin" by Thaxton, Bradley, and Olsen. However, for an overview of the main issues I can't think of a better and more interesting book.

I found the chapters about the play "Inherit the Wind" particularly informative, and am now much more aware of the distortions and stereotypes it perpetuated. He also carefully clarifies important misconceptions that evolutionists have about creationists. For example, creationists do not believe in complete fixity of species as is commonly assumed. God established a wide range of genetic variability in the "created kinds" enabling variation and adaption. This describes horizontal evolution or microevolution, which is observable and accepted by creationists. However, the monophyletic descent (from one ancestral proto-cell to all life today) of all organisms, is macroevolution and unproven and unobserved. Ask any evolutionist today why you don't see apes evolving into humans and fish crawling around on land, and they'll almost always give the same general answers. For example: Either you can't observe it because it happens too slow (meaning they've moved it out of the range of testable and observable science) or they'll give an example of a speciation event, such as the standard Darwin finches (which is just microevolution, and completely acceptable to a creationist).

Bottom line is, if you are close-minded and unwilling to consider the evidence, don't bother with this book. Since the atheist has NO CHOICE but to believe in the naturalistic origin of life and the universe, he will doggedly cling to evolution. Ultimately, the study of origins can not be divided from religion, since the a priori assumptions of any person will shape their interpretations of the evidence. Both atheism and theism are religions, and evolution and creation are worldviews flowing from those presumptions. If you do want to at least weigh the evidence for creation/evolution, and become better informed, I highly recommend Tornado in a Junkyard.

The back cover of this book says, "Warning: this book may change your life." Indeed it may.

Several years ago I read a book called Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, by Michael Denton. I was so impressed, in fact, that I read it three times. As an educated person, I had assumed that evolution is more or less an established "fact," but I was absolutely amazed to discover that the suppressed evidence AGAINST evolution is actually quite overwhelming--and that's an understatement! Now Mr. Perloff has taken it a step further. His book is slightly less technical than Denton's, but its impact is even more powerful.

After reading Denton's book, I was convinced that the "theory of evolution" is nothing more than a tortured hypothesis. However, I still thought that only lunatics believed in a "young earth." After reading Perloff, I am now open to the possibility of a young earth. If you think I have been hoodwinked, you desperately need to read this book. You'll be amazed at how flimsy the evidence is for the age of the earth, and how "circular" the reasoning behind it is.

Several chapters in the book are particularly impressive. For example, "Vegas Odds on Life" really drives home the point that life could not have started by random chance. The simplest living cell is more complex than any man-made device, yet it supposedly fell together by chance. That is about as likely as a Boeing 747 falling together as the result of a "tornado in a junkyard." If you think a few billion years is enough for that sort of odds, your need to study basic combinatorics.

The chapter "Good Company" is also very eye-opening. Perloff quotes great scientist after great scientist who firmly believed in divine creation. It turns out that scientists such as Isaac Newton, Francis Bacon, Blaise Pascal, Louis Pasteur, Lord Kelvin, James Clerk Maxwell, James Joule, Joseph Henry, and Werner von Braun, were all "hard-core" Christians and left absolutely no doubt about it. Many of them even lived after Darwin's time and publicly rejected his theory.

Rest assured that the so-called "theory of evolution" is absolute and complete baloney. The real question is whether the earth is around 5 billion years old, as the "scientific community" would have us believe, or whether it is around 6,000 years old. Read this astounding book and decide for yourself.

Couldn't put this one down! It was so good that it was stolen from me before I finished reading it.
Really puts Darwin in his place.

I really enjoyed this book. It has sparked a lot of interest inside of me relating to this topic.

I think the author does a good job presenting his point of view and his criticisms of Darwinism in an even-handed manner. I would love to find a similar book that attempts to support the concepts of Darwinisim in a similar manner.

I highly recommend this book although it can be a difficult read at points due to the author's extensive use of quoted material.