Evolutionism and Creationism

VOYA

The debate surrounding the general acceptance and study of evolution in the nation's classrooms is once again in the headlines. Conservative school boards are reexamining whether to ban evolution from curriculum or teach creation theory in addition to evolution. This review was written and published to address two books on the subject, Human Evolution by Ben Sonder, and Evolution and Creationism by Robert Gardner. Sonder's title traces the controversy between science and religion to the publication of Darwin's The Origin of Species (1859) and its suggestion that humans descended from a common ancestor of other primates. The text tracks the treatment of evolution by educators up to the Scopes Trial of the 1920s and includes the "creation science" response by the religious community. This movement still attempts to discredit evolution while seeking credible evidence to support Biblical events. Evolutionism and Creationism examines the broader aim of many creationists to reintroduce prayer and Christian values into schools and the promotion of other conservative agendas, such as banning abortions. An appendix spells out the arguments presented by both viewpoints and provides sources for further reading. Both sides are fairly represented without judgment by the author. Human Evolution assumes the reader has accepted the concept of evolution and deftly examines the geologic and fossil records. It explains how scientific dating and classifying systems are used to study our many hominid ancestors. The wellknown author makes the subject fascinating by demonstrating how small discoveries fit new pieces into the puzzle while raising additional questions. The introductions tobiologicalclassification, carbon dating, and anthropology qualify the book as a wonderful text for the classroom, but the curious general reader will learn plenty by thumbing through its pages. Both titles are recommendedSonder's for its examination of the intellectual controversy between creationists and evolutionists, and Gardner's for its thorough and accessible treatment of human development over millions of years. Index. Source Notes. Appendix. VOYA CODES: 4Q 2P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 1999, Franklin Watts, Ages 12 to 18, 112p, $24. Reviewer: Kevin Beach

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-In clear and well-balanced prose, Sonder presents all sides of a highly emotional topic. In addition to the well-known story of how Darwin's ideas were developed into the widely supported theory of evolution, he shows how various Christians reacted. The author clearly differentiates a range of creationist theories, from "creation science," which strictly interprets the Bible wording, to the "old-earth creationist," which acknowledges that the Earth is much older than is indicated in Genesis and accepts the fossil record as partly true, and others in between. His evenhanded accounts of various scientific battles cover events up to the present day, including recent presidential campaigns and discussions on the Internet. He concludes with the hope that sensationalism will eventually fade away in favor of scholarship, and provides a list of basic points of disagreement for students to ponder. The few black-and-white illustrations are well selected, well captioned, and well keyed to the text. Marilyn Bailey's Evolution (Greenhaven, 1990; o.p.), Alvin Silverstein, Virginia Silverstein, and Laura Silverstein Nunn's Evolution (21st Century, 1998), and Linda Gamlin's Evolution (DK, 1993) have much better graphics and more detailed explanations of evolution but provide very little history of the controversies. Sonder's well-balanced treatment is unlikely to completely satisfy either creationists or scientists, but it will stir those who find the controversy interesting to pursue further reading.-Jonathan Betz-Zall, Sno-Isle Regional Library System, Edmonds, WA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.