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bookishblond's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating! Yet somehow I'm left with more questions than answers.
coolhand773's review
4.0
"Icons of Evolution" is a excellent primer for people who may not have heard of the inconsistencies and problems with many of Darwinian Evolution's primary "proofs". When most people think of Darwinism, they think of his Tree of Life, or drawings of similar looking embryos, or the creation of living molecules through replication of Earth's early environment in a laboratory, or the series of drawings showing an ape slowly developing into a fully formed human male. These images and icons are nearly synonymous with Darwinian Evolution, and have been among the primary arguments advanced by Darwinists since the late 19th century.
In "Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth?", Jonathan Wells looks at each of these icons (and others) to determine if the icon really can provide the amount of scientific evidence required to sustain this theory that has far-reaching influence in our day and age. He also takes time to evaluate some of the top biology textbooks, in regards to their accuracy on these topics.
He presents a very compelling case that not a single one of these icons is deserving of its iconic status. In some cases, these icons have been dismissed decades ago by the scientific community but are still being taught as truth in textbooks. Dr. Wells has done an enormous amount of research and reading for this book and all of his references and suggestions for further reading are listed in the back of the book. He quotes experts from nearly every field of natural science imaginable and builds his arguments by sampling liberally from other scientists who have expressed similar concerns. He is careful to note in the Forward however that the people he is quoting likely do not agree with his point-of-view when it comes to the inaccuracy of Darwinism. He is clear that he is not trying to make it seem like they agree with him, but he is quoting them for the simple reason that they are the experts in their fields and their quotes speak to the "evidence".
Dr. Wells is part of a growing number of scientists who are willing to buck the establishment and question Darwinian Evolution. This is the equivalent of an unpardonable sin in American Science. He relates a funny story about a Chinese scientist who came to give a talk at a conference here in the States. During his talk, he mentioned some of the inherent inconsistencies with some of the evidence advanced for Darwinian Evolution. After his talk, he was asked some questions, but nothing related to his statements against Darwinism. When Dr. Wells was talking with this Chinese scientist afterward, the scientist made the sad-but-true observation that in his country people are free to criticize Darwin, but not the government. In the States, he said, people are free to criticize the government, but not Darwin. The censorship and stifling of dissent is equivalent to Red China.
This book is an eye-opener. I had read some of the arguments by ID scientists and anti-Darwinists, but none had gone into such detail and depth as "Icons of Evolution". It does get technical, but not overly so. I re-read a couple of chapters to make sure that I understood the argument but there was nothing that was above my head, science-wise. I would encourage anyone interested in this subject to read this book, pro or anti Darwinian Evolution. Afterall, if you don't examine both sides of the argument, how well-versed can your opinion be?
Thank you for taking the time to read my review.
In "Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth?", Jonathan Wells looks at each of these icons (and others) to determine if the icon really can provide the amount of scientific evidence required to sustain this theory that has far-reaching influence in our day and age. He also takes time to evaluate some of the top biology textbooks, in regards to their accuracy on these topics.
He presents a very compelling case that not a single one of these icons is deserving of its iconic status. In some cases, these icons have been dismissed decades ago by the scientific community but are still being taught as truth in textbooks. Dr. Wells has done an enormous amount of research and reading for this book and all of his references and suggestions for further reading are listed in the back of the book. He quotes experts from nearly every field of natural science imaginable and builds his arguments by sampling liberally from other scientists who have expressed similar concerns. He is careful to note in the Forward however that the people he is quoting likely do not agree with his point-of-view when it comes to the inaccuracy of Darwinism. He is clear that he is not trying to make it seem like they agree with him, but he is quoting them for the simple reason that they are the experts in their fields and their quotes speak to the "evidence".
Dr. Wells is part of a growing number of scientists who are willing to buck the establishment and question Darwinian Evolution. This is the equivalent of an unpardonable sin in American Science. He relates a funny story about a Chinese scientist who came to give a talk at a conference here in the States. During his talk, he mentioned some of the inherent inconsistencies with some of the evidence advanced for Darwinian Evolution. After his talk, he was asked some questions, but nothing related to his statements against Darwinism. When Dr. Wells was talking with this Chinese scientist afterward, the scientist made the sad-but-true observation that in his country people are free to criticize Darwin, but not the government. In the States, he said, people are free to criticize the government, but not Darwin. The censorship and stifling of dissent is equivalent to Red China.
This book is an eye-opener. I had read some of the arguments by ID scientists and anti-Darwinists, but none had gone into such detail and depth as "Icons of Evolution". It does get technical, but not overly so. I re-read a couple of chapters to make sure that I understood the argument but there was nothing that was above my head, science-wise. I would encourage anyone interested in this subject to read this book, pro or anti Darwinian Evolution. Afterall, if you don't examine both sides of the argument, how well-versed can your opinion be?
Thank you for taking the time to read my review.
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