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Book Summary and Reviews of Only a Theory by Kenneth R. Miller

Only a Theory by Kenneth R. Miller

Only a Theory

Evolution and the Battle for America's Soul

by Kenneth R. Miller

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  • Published:
  • Jun 2008, 256 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

At the dawn of the twenty-first century, the debate over Darwin's theory of evolution is nearly as contentious as it was in the notorious Scopes trial a century ago. Today, however, people who believe that evolution is 'only a theory' have put their hopes in a concept known as Intelligent Design.

In Only a Theory, Kenneth Miller dissects the claims of the ID movement in the same incisive style that marked his testimony as an expert witness in Pennsylvania's landmark 2005 Dover evolution trial.

Unlike other books on the subject, Only a Theory's critique of ID goes far beyond the scientific claims of the movement. To Miller, America's 'soul' - its place as the world's leading scientific nation - is at risk because of this struggle. As he explains, the tactics of this new assault on science mimic earlier efforts of the academic left to remake science as a relativistic, culturally determined enterprise, rather than a rational search for truth about the natural world. Such marginalization, he argues, would effectively destroy American science.

Despite this analysis, Miller refuses to play the role of pessimist. He sees this as a teachable opportunity, a moment at which public understanding and support for science can be redeemed, and offers nothing less than a prescription for how America can save its scientific soul.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"In a measured, well-reasoned book, Miller explains why evolution does not deny us our humanity or our unique place in the universe." - Publishers Weekly.

"One of the better books on this emotionally charged subject." - Kirkus Reviews.

This information about Only a Theory was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

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