Evolution / Don Nardo, book editor.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: Evolutionary theory: its origins and continuing controversy -- BEFORE THE CONTROVERSY: Evolutionary theory in ancient times / Lucretius -- A Frenchman [Pierre Maupertuis] foreshadows the Darwinian revolution / Bentley Glass -- Lamarck's incorrect theory of evolution / L.J. Jordanova -- Erasmus Darwin's version of evolution / Michael Ruse -- The Biblical view of life's origins remains dominant / Richard Dawkins -- A theologian dates the creation / James Ussher -- EVOLUTION AND NATURAL SELECTION CREATES A CONTROVERSY: Darwin discovers natural selection / Daniel C. Dennett -- Darwin describes the "struggle for existence" / Charles Darwin -- Darwin's unexpected competitor / Alfred Russel Wallace -- A contemporary scientist rejects Darwin's theory / Richard Owen -- Darwin's supporters and critics clash in public / Francis Darwin (and various eyewitnesses) -- The theory of Social Darwinism / Herbert Spencer -- MODERN SCIENCE AND CREATIONISM AT ODDS: Official tenets of Creationist beliefs / Institute for Creation Research -- Common Creationist misconceptions about evolution / Mark Isaak -- The Scopes Trial focuses attention on teaching evolution / Lyndsey McCabe -- Evolution vs. Creationism in the classroom: the core issues / Participants in the Scopes Trial -- Creationism should be taught in public schools / Kerwin Thiessen -- MODERN DEVELOPMENTS IN AND CHALLENGES TO EVOLUTION: Current evolutionary theory / Robert Wesson -- Punctuation and direct mutation: challenges to Darwinism? / Gary Cziko -- Darwinian evolution may not work on the molecular level / Michael J. Behe -- DNA offers new clues to human evolution / Steve Jones -- Chronology.

Evolution remains one of the most contentious topics in the ongoing confrontation between modern science and religion. In this volume, scientists, religious leaders, and others square off in pairs of pro and con essays.