Shaking the Foundation: Charles Darwin and the Theory of Evolution

Gr 6–8—Darwin's original conclusions on natural selection/evolution were controversial from the start, with even Darwin initially finding his research at odds with the religious convictions of his youth. Controversy still remains, as Johnson notes in her lucid text, with the scientific world agreeing with Darwin and other scientists, and a good portion of the religious sector in adamant support of intelligent design. Johnson takes on the "evolution" of Darwin's original theory and presents a history of the social and scientific uproar it has engendered over the years. Embellished with small information boxes (many containing brief biographical notes on other scientists or persons related to Darwin's work), graced with numerous quotations, and liberally sprinkled with black-and-white photos and illustrations, the text follows a historical procession to the present day, including the quarrels of creationists and evolutionists in regard to school curricula. The author's research is revealed in her source notes, and in a "selected" bibliography, as is a solid list of websites and further readings. Unfortunately the latter does not include Laurence Pringle's excellent Billions of Years (Boyds Mills, 2011). All in all, this is a clear, forthright look at the startling conclusions drawn from a scientist's research and the enormous ramifications of his conclusions. Well done, and well worth reading.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY