Darwin's Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case For Intelligent Design

Description

When Charles Darwin finished The Origin of Species, he thought that he had explained every clue, but one. Though his theory could explain many facts, Darwin knew that there was a significant event in the history of life that his theory did not explain. During this event, the "Cambrian explosion," many animals suddenly appeared in the fossil record without apparent ancestors in earlier layers of rock. In Darwin's Doubt, Stephen C. Meyer tells the story of the mystery surrounding this explosion of animal life-a mystery that has intensified, not only because the expected ancestors of these animals have not been found, but because scientists have learned more about what it takes to construct an animal. During the last half century, biologists have come to appreciate the central importance of biological information-stored in DNA and elsewhere in cells-to building animal forms. Expanding on the compelling case he presented in his last book, Signature in the Cell, Meyer argues that the origin of this information, as well as other mysterious features of the Cambrian event, are best explained by intelligent design, rather than purely undirected evolutionary processes.

Stephen C. Meyer received his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in the philosophy of science after working as an oil industry geophysicist. He now directs the Center for Science and Culture at the Discovery Institute in Seattle, Washington. He authored Signature in the Cell, a (London) Times Literary Supplement Book of the Year.

Steven Meyer gives an insightful and thoughtful treatment to the history of life. Justice Louis Brandies taught us that, 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant, ' and Dr. Meyer lets the sun shine in.--Dr. Stephen A. Batzer P.E., forensic engineer Dr. Stephen A. Batzer, P.E., forensic engineer "The issue on the table is the mechanism of evolution--is it blind and undirected or is it under the control of an intelligence with a goal in mind? In Darwin's Doubt, Stephen Meyer has masterfully laid out one of the most compelling lines of evidence for the latter."--Dr. William S. Harris, Professor, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota "Steve Meyer's book is a much-anticipated bombshell that details the swarm of problems of Darwinian evolution and also presents the case for intelligent design. Ask yourself: how often does a book of this kind receive a warm welcome from leading geneticists and paleontologists? Never, until now! "--Dr. Tom Woodward, Research Professor, Trinity College, Tampa Bay, Author of Darwin Strikes Back: Defending the Science of Intelligent Design "Stephen Meyer's new book, Darwin's Doubt, is a fascinating and rigorous study demonstrating not only that biologists and paleontologists do not have an adequate explanation for the Cambrian Explosion, but that there is an alternative view that makes more sense."--Dr. Richard Weikart, Professor of History at California State University, Stanislaus; Author of From Darwin to Hitler "Stephen C. Meyer's Darwin's Doubt is a truly remarkable book. Within its 413 pages of text are four tightly woven interrelated arguments. Using 753 references, he presents evidence associated with the serious weaknesses of materialistic theories of biological evolution, and positive evidence for the theory of intelligent design."--Dr. Mark C. Biedebach, Professor Emeritus, Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach "Stephen C. Meyer is brilliant and his latest book, Darwin's Doubt is a must read."--David Limbaugh, Syndicated columnist and author "Meyer writes beautifully. He marshals complex information as well as any writer I've read....a wonderful, most compelling read."--Dean Koontz, New York Times bestselling author "Meyer makes a case for intelligent design as the only viable scientific theory for the origin of biological novelty. Meyer's challenge to naturalism will no doubt be strongly resisted by those committed to a materialist worldview, but provide food for refection for those who are searching for truth."--Dr. Donald L. Ewert, Molecular Biologist, Associate Member (retired), Wistar Institute "Meyer is a talented writer with an easygoing voice who has blended interesting history with clear explanations in what may come to be seen as a classic presentation of this most fundamental of all debates."--Terry Scambray, New Oxford Review "Meyer demonstrates, based on cutting-edge molecular biology, why explaining the origin of animals is now not just a problem of missing fossils, but an even greater engineering problem at the molecular level....An excellent book and a must read."--Dr. Russell Carlson, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Georgia and technical director of the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center "It's hard for us paleontologists to admit that neo-Darwinian explanations for the Cambrian explosion have failed miserably....Meyer describes the dimensions of the problem with clarity and precision. His book is a game changer."--Dr. Mark McMenamin, paleontologist at Mt. Holyoke College and coauthor of The Emergence of Animals "It is a tour de force...This book is well informed, carefully researched, up-to-date and powerfully argued. It confronts Darwin's doubt and deals with the assumptions of Neo-Darwinism. This book is much needed and I recommend it to students of all levels, to professionals and to laypeople."--Dr. Norman C. Nevin OBE, BSc, MD, FRCPath, FFPH, FRCPE, FRCP; Professor Emeritus in Medical Genetics, Queen's University, Belfast "I spend my life reading science books. I've ready many hundreds of them over the years, and in my judgment Darwin's Doubt is the best science book ever written. It is a magnificent work, a true masterpiece that will be read for hundreds of years."--George Gilder Technologist, economist, and New York Times bestselling author George Gilder Technologist, economist, and New York Times bestselling author George Gilder Technologist, economist, and New York Times bestselling author George Gilder Tec "Dr. Meyer has written a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis on the massive scientific evidence revealing the total failure of the neo-Darwinian explanation for life's history. Darwin's Doubt is important, clearly written with sound arguments, excellent illustrations and examples that make the topic easily understandable even for non-specialists"--Dr. Matti Leisola, Professor, Bioprocess Engineering, Aalto University, Finland (emeritus); Editor-in-chief, Bio-Complexity "Darwin's Doubt represents an opportunity for bridge-building rather than dismissive polarization--bridges across cultural divides in great need of professional, respectful dialogue--and bridges to span evolutionary gaps."--Dr. George Church, professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School and author of Regenesis "A great book on the origin of animal life and crises of Darwin evolution; very clear, factual, comprehensive, logical, and informative. An enjoyable reading for both non-expert and expert."--Dr. Change Tan, Molecular biologist/developmental biologist, Associate Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia "Darwin's Doubt is by far the most up-to-date, accurate, and comprehensive review of the evidence from all relevant scientific fields that I have encountered in more than forty years of studying the Cambrian explosion."--Dr. Wolf-Ekkehard Lonnig, senior scientist emeritus (biologist) at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research "Darwin's Doubt is another excellent book by Stephen Meyer. Stephen Meyer has clearly listened to the arguments of those who are sceptical about intelligent design and has addressed them thoroughly. It is really important that Darwinists read this book carefully and give a response."--Dr. Stuart Burgess, Professor of Design and Nature, Head of Mechanical Engineering at Bristol University "Darwin's Doubt is an intriguing exploration of one of the most remarkable periods in the evolutionary history of life.... No matter what convictions one holds about evolution, Darwinism, or intelligent design, Darwin's Doubt is a book that should be read, engaged and discussed."--Dr. Scott Turner, professor of biology at the State University of New York and author of The Tinkerer's Accomplice