The Trial for Science
927408
From the beginning of time and undoubtedly until the end of time man has been a curious race. With this curiosity we have found both ends of the thought spectrum being pushed.  Is there an omniscient being that created this world and us? Are we the result of evolution and the natural growth process of this world? Author D.R. Pope does an excellent job portraying both sides of the story for Science and Religion in this gripping novel.

The writing style is unique, but it strangely fits the bill perfect in blog-like entries. These blog entries allow you to feel more immersed in the story as you watch in unfold. This book will stir your mind and create thought provoking debates within your self. I will definitely recommend this book to friends that like this type of novel. However, I can see it is not for everyone, recommend this book wisely (it does feel like Science has the upper hand).
4325589
Connects the theory to practical experiments that anyone, anywhere can perform to see for yourself whether this type of practice is for you or not.  Pam does a good job of using examples and other's stories to paint an understandable picture so you will have a real chance for trying out the experiments.
1097166
This collection---published in 2000, the 75th anniversary of the trial---contains an introduction by Edward Caudill (author of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Darwinian-Myths-The-Legends-and-Misuses-of-a-Theory/dp/1572334525/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Darwinian Myths: The Legends and Misuses of a Theory</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Darwinism-in-the-Press-the-Evolution-of-An-Idea-Routledge-Communication-Series/dp/0805805214/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Darwinism in the Press: the Evolution of An Idea (Routledge Communication Series)</a>), with photo captions by Edward Larson (author of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Summer-for-the-Gods-The-Scopes-Trial-and-America-s-Continuing-Debate-Over-Science-and-Religion/dp/046507510X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion</a>).

They recount the origin of the trial: "A few local citizens contrived the event in the drugstore... They asked John Thomas Scopes to come to the drug store. The twenty-four year old teacher... was a popular young man about town, and a good candidate for the scheme, as he was unlikely to alienate local people with radical views or activities... In addition, [his] being single meant he did not have a family that might suffer unforeseen fallout from the trial... Scopes did not like the idea of being arrested, and he believed the Bible and evolution could be reconciled. But he finally relented... Scopes then left to play tennis." (Pg. 5-6)

Defense counsel Clarence Darrow "saw a grand opportunity to debunk Christianity, and he later wrote that his intention was to focus the nation's attention on Bryan and fundamentalism... [he] saw Darwin's theory as a useful tool in his own mission against religion... It was, for him, the pinnacle of his lifelong war on religious intoleranace." (Pg. 7)

Although there was a media scene staged reported by some to show Scopes meeting Darrow for the first time, "the two had actually met in both New York City and Dayton prior to the trial. Further, Scopes had been on hand when Darrow had first driven into town, several hours before this staged greeting." (Pg. 31)

The book also notes, "[Scopes] later confirmed the persistent rumor that he had never actually violated the law. He simply agreed to test it at the request of Dayton civic leaders... To avoid any further questions on this point, Scopes never testified at trial and the defense never raised the issue. The law itself, rather than the defendant, was really on trial. Violating it only carried a small monetary penalty anyway, which others paid on Scopes' behalf. Scopes was never jailed or threatened with jail and could have remained a teacher in Dayton after the trial, but instead accepted a scholarship to study geology at the University of Chicago." (Pg. 33)

Although one always could have wished for a few more "favorite" photos to be included (that one has already seen in smaller copies in other books), those presented in this collection are excellent.  This book will be a "must have" acquisition for anyone fascinated with the Scopes trial.
4016777
Mr. Grisham's neighbor is extremely fortunate to have such a well known celebrity to assist with getting a share of the precious few dollars available for cancer research. There are many other very promising treatments on the horizon and I fear that with the incoming, anti science administration will decrease the, already paltry, federal funds for medical research to the point that every researcher will be seeking their own John Grisham.  Prospects are not good, at all.  I am a career Registered Nurse regulator and researcher. I am terrified about the negative impact our science phobic electorate will have on medical research.
780023
I had attended the trial on several occasions and felt that Monte had done an excellent job of describing the indescribable.  It was very true to the trial with added insights.
2414542
When we are bored we pick up this book.  The experiments are fun and fairly simple to complete.  It is a great way to spend an afternoon together and everyone will learn something new.
4265892
In an era when creationist ignorance has become acceptable, Douglas J.  Futuyma presents a wonderful and authoritative refutation of creationism.  Well argued and written, Science On Trial is a treat for both lay people  and those who are well educated on this subject.
1867310
The Touryan Family carefully uses examples from Science to help persons understand the God who created it all. The experiments presented can add emphasis to the truths being explored.
2835309
Placebo controls are the unquestioned standard within clinical research methods.  But even experienced researchers I've asked were not aware of the shortcomings of the seminal paper about placebos - research which is now canonical in the literature.  Dylan Evans has put on trial this key element of all clinical trials.

Evans treats with equal scrutiny the work of Henry Beecher, who claimed broad powers for the placebo, and later detractors who claimed there may be no placebo effect at all.  Among the other questions he examines is the paucity of research comparing placebos to no treatment at all.  He also expands on the scientific dilemma to the ethical dilemma of whether a doctor should deliberately deceive a patient given the belief in the placebo as treatment apparently has helped some or at least reduced suffering.  He asks whether something like psychotherapy may still be a benefit even though they may only, at best, be able to claim a placebo effect.  In each case Evans presents meticulous references and reasoning.  He simply holds the accepted placebo control to the same level of critical skepticism he applies to homeopathy.

This book reminds us that in order to be truly scientific, we must also apply continued scrutiny even to the most established methods in science.
3410692
There are two aspects of the experiments that the author addresses here.  First, is the strict treatment of the experiment itself:  its importance, how it was carried out, and the significance of the results.  He does a good job here in most cases, though the doesn't always communicate some underlying complications (understandably).  The second aspect is, of course, the "beauty" of the experiments.  Frankly,  I'm not sure many experimental physicists would characterize experiments of any kind as being beautiful. Results, perhaps.
4614622
This was a trial; not sure I want to read the other books in the series, but a bit entertaining
4815263
The Yoni Experiments may be fiction for the moment, but rapid scientific advancements may soon transform it into fact. It is a fascinating tale where science redefines terms like "family" and "children." This story moves along at a steady pace and builds to an exciting and thoughtful conclusion.
B.Geller
2201042
Shouldn't Riggs have recognized the results of the tainted trial since it happened in his lab too?  After all, he did know about the effects on the animals even if he did not know what caused it.
4095013
The US criminal justice system is based upon the assumptions that we are all equal and that when we commit a crime, we make a choice to do so; that we were all dealt the same biological hand and that all criminal activity is intentional and willful.

As a retired federal prosecutor, I have always believed that advances in our scientific understanding of how the brain functions will, at some point, challenge those basic assumptions.  We know that brain chemistry impacts, if not causes, mental conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, etc., and that brain injuries affect physical and mental functioning.

The Brain Defense is an excellent survey of the current state of the interaction between brain science and the criminal justice system.  You need not be involved in medicine or law to enjoy this book.  It is easy to read, with concepts spelled out clearly in lay language.

The author educates the reader about what modern science can and cannot tell us about neurology and about what litigators are trying to do with science and advanced medical imaging of the brain in courtrooms.  The jury is still out, or the science it not there yet, on whether an individual's brain structure and chemistry can be seen to prevent him/her from forming the required mental intent to be guilty of a crime, which is what many defense counsel are struggling to prove vis--vis their individual clients.  This scientific gap does not deter defense attorneys all over the country from trying to use forensic neurology to exonerate clients, and, interestingly, despite the gap, judges are at risk of reversal if they do not permit some latitude with the introduction of such evidence.  This is just one more area where the precision demanded by the scientific method is at odds with the art of persuasion so important in the courtroom and the lawyers' duty to defend.

Judges have always been more receptive to hearing about Individual differences, in both nature and nurture, when it comes to sentencing, after legal guilt has been established -- and this book covers the extensive use that is made of brain images and science to mitigate punishment.

Overall, I think that this survey of the current state of brain science in the criminal justice system will be of great interest to all readers, and should be required reading for every criminal litigator and judge.  I have been retired for a decade and much has changed in the past ten years.  Kudos to the author and Five Stars for the book..
1961337
This is a good attempt at the Shroud that had been debunked by Carbon Testing previously and shows that science sometimes does not have the last word. New findings are very convincing and shows that there is more learn than what just one test show. A highly recommended show for both believers and those with an open mind. This is one of History's Channel better attempt at being impartial and fair.
2393148
the author carefully describes an experiment in which he dressed as a homeless person and begged for cash at a busy intersection over several weeks. His goal was to find out if it was possible to live off the proceeds of begging. his description of the experiment is clear and he lists the possible shortcomings of his experimental design as a good scientist should. i rated this essay with three stars because with only one person begging in one location in one season it is difficult to draw any meaningful conclusions. he did describe several encounters where good hearted people offered him help beyond cash, for example steering him to resources that might help him obtain a job or otherwise better himself.
3777102
The Adam Quest; Eleven Scientists Who Held on to a Strong Faith While Wrestling with the Mystery of Human Origins by Tim Stafford is a collection of arguments from eleven scientists discussing their views on Creation.  There are scientists who are committed to scientifically proving young earth creation, day age creation, and evolutionary creation.
I enjoyed this book.  I first believe the publication date around the Bill Nye vs David Ham creation debate was very good.  I found the stances of these 11 scientists very personal and without scientific evidence interpreted to prove their case.  I also enjoyed a single book highlighting each while letting the author decide.  The author and scientist did a great job at describing their position on creation without belittling or being condescending towards the other groups.  The scientists also do a wonderful job at putting the evidence in terms a nonscientist can understand.
Overall this book would be a great for someone who is first looking into the different forms of creation to determine what they believe.  This book could easily let them preliminarily chose what stance they want to research and learn more about.

Note: I was given a copy of this book to read and review. The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.