Why Evolution Works (and Creationism Fails) [Paperback]

Matt Young (Author), Strode Paul K. (Author), Kevin Padian (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 27, 2009 | ISBN-10: 0813545501 | ISBN-13: 978-0813545509 | Edition: First Edition

Focusing on what other books omit, how science works and how pseudoscience works, Matt Young and Paul K. Strode demonstrate the futility of "scientific" creationism. They debunk the notion of intelligent design and other arguments that show evolution could not have produced life in its present form. Concluding with a frank discussion of science and religion, Why Evolution Works (and Creationism Fails) argues that science by no means excludes religion, though it ought to cast doubt on certain religious claims that are contrary to known scientific fact.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. In this superb overview, academics Young and Strode tackle the most vexing issues in the public's understanding of biological evolution and earth history. With clear, readable text, Young and Strode detail requisite concepts while providing a conversational response to creationists' objections to evolution, which are frequently based on profound misunderstandings of how science works. Young and Strode provide a thorough explanation of the concept of biological fitness, showing that evolution, hardly random, is a process of interaction between organisms and the environment. Later chapters explain the science of evolutionary development and phylogenetics-how Earth's organisms are related through their genetic codes-as well as geological and astronomical methods for dating (including possibly the clearest explanation of an isochron ever written). They also take a good look at creationism, using the publications of prominent believers to show that it's a movement divided against itself. Much of this work developed from Strode's teaching experience, and it may be the best book yet written for teaching citizens what science really does, and what religion really is in relation.

Review

Why Evolution Works (and Creationism Fails) delivers on the promise of its title. Deploying a host of fascinating examples, Young and Strode provide a lucid and lively introduction to the successes of evolution and the failures of creationism. --Glenn Branch, National Center for Science

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press; First Edition edition (May 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813545501
• ISBN-13: 978-0813545509
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #335,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, July 4, 2009

By 

white lightning (boulder, co usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why Evolution Works (and Creationism Fails) (Paperback)

I read this book straight through. Really holds your attention, which is impressive for a book that delves fairly deeply into the real science behind evolution, as well as the methods of science in general. I have an MD, a BS in Math and Physics, and an MS in applied mathematics...yet I never quite fully understood the beauty of the scientific method, and how straying very subtley from the proper use of the scientific method could lead a person from science to pseudoscience. This book explains the scientific method quite simply and clearly, and shows how creationism strays from the scientific method and in doing so makes claims which portend to be based on science, but are in fact not.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, July 11, 2009

By 

Lisa Kant (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why Evolution Works (and Creationism Fails) (Paperback)

I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in evolution, whatever their opinions and beliefs on the subject may be. In this well-written and engaging book, Young and Strode cover the scientific method, the history of evolution and creationism, the process of evolution and the history of the universe. Their explanation of the scientific method is superb; they do a wonderful job explaining a process that is often taught incorrectly in schools.

The authors also do a great job with the tone of the book. This book is neither too technical and complicated for the non-scientist nor too general for someone who is already familiar with evolution. If you would never ordinarily read science books, this is a great pick because you will learn a lot and be entertained at the same time.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars science versus pseudoscience, June 28, 2009

By 

C. Rouch - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why Evolution Works (and Creationism Fails) (Paperback)

This book was a refreshing look into the scientific method. With precise explanations and examples of how the hypothesis of evolution eventually became a theory, the book inspires not only an appreciation of science, but on the vast evidence and support of the evolutionary theory. I would recommend this book not only for high school and college, but anyone interested in how science should work in our world.