Monkey Girl: Evolution, Education, Religion, and the Battle for America's Soul by Edward Humes

Jun 24, 2011 Kristi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: nonfiction, evolution, sciency, religion

This was a well-written and enthralling read, although the topic it covers is frustrating on so many levels to me. Several times I wanted to pull my hair out, reading about the ignorance and closed-mindedness that would cause people to try to force an untested new "science" on their children, without any real knowledge themselves of the evolutionary theory they reject, or for that matter, the intelligent design theory they're trying to push. It's especially upsetting to me as a Christian to see...more

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May 05, 2007 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

"In the time of Galileo it was argued that the texts, 'And the sun stood still ... and hasted not to go down about a whole day' (Joshua x. 13) and 'He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not move at any time' (Psalm cv. 5) were an adequate refutation of the Copernican theory."
Alan Turing, 1950

This is one of the latest episodes of the struggle between those who feel that Science describes nature pretty well and those who believe that anything other than a strict literal interpreta...more "In the time of Galileo it was argued that the texts, 'And the sun stood still ... and hasted not to go down about a whole day' (Joshua x. 13) and 'He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not move at any time' (Psalm cv. 5) were an adequate refutation of the Copernican theory."
Alan Turing, 1950

This is one of the latest episodes of the struggle between those who feel that Science describes nature pretty well and those who believe that anything other than a strict literal interpretation of the Bible deserves a trip to hell. I think that those who ridicule the scientific method and mock Darwin's work while refusing to read it, do not deserve to benefit from the fruits of science (such as a computer and the internet), much less influence science curriculum in public schools.
I still remember how Math and Science were emphasized if only to remind us that we needed to compete with the Soviets. Until reading this book, I assumed that all but the most extreme religious fundamentalists were fine with this truce-for many years public school biology books limited discussion to a small description of evolution as "changes over time" in high school biology. I was wrong.
While the book mostly focuses on the Dover trial, Humes also takes us to the nearly parallel trial in Kansas, the controversy in the Grand Canyon Giftshop (where Creationists have had some success in censoring information about the geological age of the national monument), and the pseudo-scientific think-tank which excludes any science in conflict with Christian Scripture. I couldn't be certain, but they probably conveniently ignore the scripture at the top of the page regarding the sun going around a stationary earth.
The Dover Trial is full of drama and bad debate, A Scopes Monkey Trial for the 21st century, or Inherit the Wind, Redux. Humes shows in the Dover case how Creationism in public schools, having been defeated in courts during the late 20th century under the Separation of Church and State clause of the First Amendment, evolved (pun intended) into the virtually identical Intelligent Design movement, to Dover, Pennsylvania among other places. Some of the most shocking moments of the trial feature the ironic displays of dishonesty which ultimately brought down the school board members who were trying to bring religion into the local biology classrooms, and had designs on bringing it into the history and government classes as well.
The Dover case pitted one kind of Christians against another. Those who favored the separation of Church and State were attacked as “not Christian enough”, in a great example of how the separation of these two functions protects freedom of religion. Another surprising turn of events showed how the presiding judge, a Bush-supporting Republican was branded as a liberal judicial activist for defending the constitution.
Regarding extreme religious views which by definition do not tolerate any opposing views, what are the limits of tolerance in society? The Framers of the Constitution were historically not far away from centuries of religious wars in Europe which constantly threw governments into turmoil. They saw the value of the separation of church and state to both. Back in those days religious persecution meant death.
This latest version of the old Darwin-vs.-God controversy is the product of the removal of Critical Thinking skills from the mainstream public school curriculum, and the lack of a Cold War Era push towards developments in Math & Science, supported by all but the most outspoken of Bible literalists, who constantly attempt to couch the debate as "God vs. Darwin", when in fact, most religions don't require people to choose between the two. Young-Earthers might benefit from not ignoring the history of the Catholic Church's censorship of Copernicus and Gallileo centuries ago, and ask themselves why the Pope doesn't have a big problem with Darwin's theories today. (less)

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Jun 26, 2009 John rated it 5 of 5 stars

So far this is one of the most frustrating books I've ever read. Frustrating not in the sense that the writing is bad or the story indecipherable, but frustrating in that it contains a cast of characters (creationists and intelligent design proponents) who I constantly want to yell at. Their ignorance and desire to impose their moral beliefs is both frightening and frustrating. Other than that, this is a fine book, which I haven't been able to put down since starting earlier this week.

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Mar 20, 2007 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: evolution, intelligent design

This book reads more like a mystery novel than a non-fiction book. Even thogh the outcome is known in the Dover evolution trial, the author so immerses you in the people, the town, the issues, the science and the court proceeding than one has a hard time to lay it down.

Intelligent Design comes off as nothing more than the old creation science trying to pass itself off as a scientific alternative to evolution again. And most of the members of the Dover schoolboard seemed to know as little about...more

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Feb 07, 2009 Dan rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you've been following my blog this year, you know that the battle between evolution and intelligent design has become something of an obsession for me. It started with Richard Dawkins' book "The God Delusion" which, I think, lays out a very compelling case that there is in fact no evidence of the existence of God and that the theory of evolution isn't controversial at all. It is settled science.

In "Monkey Girl," Humes does an excellent job of reporting on the 2005 trial in Dover, PA. If you'r...more

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Feb 05, 2009 Bookmarks Magazine added it

The Pulitzer Prize?winning Edward Humes (Mississippi Mud, School of Dreams, Over Here) knows how to successfully tackle society's big issues and present them to the general reader. Monkey Girl is no exception. Humes writes clearly, makes complex scientific ideas accessible, and uses a novelistic approach to heighten the legal conflict and courtroom drama. Critics diverged only on a few points. While most thought Humes's account evenhanded (for example, his sympathetic portrait of the defense's s

...more

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Jul 07, 2012 Elliot Ratzman rated it 4 of 5 stars

The worst part of this book (besides referring to Peter Singer as an “obscure philosopher”) is its title. The rest is an admirable introduction to the history of the struggle between fundamentalists and the teaching of evolution centered around the 2005 trial in Dover, PA. Though less personality-driven than Matt Chapman’s light 40 Days and 40 Nights, Humes’ narrative of the conflict in Dover, the trial, and the aftermath is riveting. There is interesting background on the history of the Intelli...more

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Dec 20, 2011 Ronando rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: science, regarding-religion

I was not aware that the Creationist vs Evolution controversy was the hot topic that it is today. Having a biology degree and having lived in Portland most of my life, I assumed that most people were like me and accepted evolution as incontrovertible. I was sorely wrong.

If anyone is interested in the ongoing battle between Creationism/Religion/Intelligent Design and science, then I highly suggest reading this book. The court case occurred in 2005 in Dover, PA. The school board wanted to bring in...more

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Feb 07, 2009 Joel Justiss rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: evolution, society

Humes describes the efforts of the Dover Pennsylvania school board to introduce Intelligent Design into the high school science curriculum in 2004. He covers the background of those efforts, the negotiations and intrigue involved in them, the parties involved in the federal constitutional lawsuit, the progress of the trial, the court’s decision, the national attention focused on these events, and the significance of the outcome of the trial.

Humes’ viewpoint is clearly on the side of science, but...more

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Jan 16, 2012 John rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: history, books-i-own, science

In Defense of Reason: Why Intelligent Design Deserved Its Dover, PA Defeat

On December 20, 2005 Federal Judge John E. Jones, a Republican jurist appointed by President George W. Bush rendered this decision:

"The proper application of both the endorsement and Lemon tests to the facts of this case makes it abundantly clear that the Board's ID Policy violates the Establishment Clause. In making this determination, we have addressed the seminal question of whether ID is science. We have concluded tha...more

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Nov 18, 2009 Mateo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Are there any asshats out there more irritating than creationists?

Yes, I suppose so … serial killers, health insurance executives, and whoever fumigates between Ann Coulter's legs each morning probably top the list, but creationists are right up there.

This fine book, which tells the story of the fight over evolution in the classroom that led to the landmark Kitzmiller v. Dover School Board decision, is one of those reads that take you a lot longer than they should, simply because every half-pa...more Are there any asshats out there more irritating than creationists?

Yes, I suppose so … serial killers, health insurance executives, and whoever fumigates between Ann Coulter's legs each morning probably top the list, but creationists are right up there.

This fine book, which tells the story of the fight over evolution in the classroom that led to the landmark Kitzmiller v. Dover School Board decision, is one of those reads that take you a lot longer than they should, simply because every half-page or so you have to pull the book away from your face long enough to say something like, "No, you creationist pinheads, evolution doesn't violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics." And by the time you've finished explaining to an empty room why evolution isn't tautological, it's dinnertime and you've lost your appetite anyway.

Fortunately, for all the mendacious, duplicitous, and moronic drivel put forth by the Friends of Stupidity in the "Intelligent Design" movement, there is an equal, if not greater, amount of small heroism on the part of scientists, educators, lawyers, and plain ol' Concerned Citizens who struggle mightily to keep our nation tethered, however precariously, to the 21st Century, and if parts of this book are scary and depressing, other parts--notably, the brilliant pro-evolution decision handed down by conservative, Republican, church-going, Bush-appointee Judge John E. Jones III--are practically exhilarating. Yes, reading the idiocy handed down by the "Intelligent Design" spokesmen may make you wonder why that first bacterium ever decided to replicate in the first place, but, overall, this book is a good news island in a swamp full of creationist methane.

Humes does a good job of retelling the story and of giving background to both the evolutionary science that the ongoing controversy. I do have to ding this book one star, however, for its lack of references, bibliography, and footnotes. Some of the assertions made by creationists that Humes quotes are so jaw-droppingly imbecilic that I would have liked to see references. Oh, on second thought, maybe not.
(less)

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Nov 13, 2012 Melki rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: religion, science, social-issues, education

The preacher gazes at the sea of faces turned up at him as he holds aloft a well-worn copy of the Bible, waving it at a packed church the size of a concert hall.
"I look forward to the day when every teacher is teaching out of this book," he shouts, and he is answered by a loud chorus of hallelujahs. "And there will be no separation of church and state...We will live in a theocracy. And what a glorious day that will be!"

Yikes!

It all started as an obscure dispute over science textbooks. A group o...more The preacher gazes at the sea of faces turned up at him as he holds aloft a well-worn copy of the Bible, waving it at a packed church the size of a concert hall.
"I look forward to the day when every teacher is teaching out of this book," he shouts, and he is answered by a loud chorus of hallelujahs. "And there will be no separation of church and state...We will live in a theocracy. And what a glorious day that will be!"

Yikes!

It all started as an obscure dispute over science textbooks. A group of evolution-doubting school board members wanted teachers to use Of Pandas & People: The Central Question of Biological Origins, a "science" book that makes it clear that man was created as he is, and Darwin's theory of "from goo to you" is a fairy tale. Despite vocal objections, the measure passed, and a lawsuit was filed against the board by a group of parents who felt that the action was inherently religious, not scientific in nature. What followed was a media circus, complete with clowns and, of course, monkeys.

Even though the Supreme Court banned "creation science" from public schools in 1987, certain factions have not given up on the idea of a challenge, mainly by using the new term - "intelligent design."

You can either read the book or Google to learn the outcome. Just know that the judge who heard the case received death threats...and not from the godless evolutionists.

Now listen to this sad violin music - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuNhTL... - while I pontificate:

In last week's election, Rep. Paul C. Broun, a Republican from Georgia ran unopposed. Broun has called evolution and the Big Bang Theory "lies straight from the pit of hell." In a pro-science protest, 4000 voters wrote in the name of Charles Darwin. Broun also believes the earth is 9,000 years old. He currently serves on the House Science Committee alongside Rep. Todd "Legitimate Rape" Akin.

Yeah. That's where we're at right now.

The "Young Earth" people are not giving up. And they are procreating at alarming rates. As their numbers swell and their children become politically active, look for this controversy to be repeated. It pains me to say this, but one of these days, they just might win.(less)

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Jul 29, 2010 Girls Gone Reading rated it 3 of 5 stars

Monkey Girl is about evolution, but mostly it is about the people involved in the Dover, Pennsylvania case. Edward Humes does a good job of explaining all of the different people involved in the case and how it came about. He does pick a side however: he clearly believes that evolution should be taught in American schools.

Several of the people involved in the case were described as stereotypical villains, and this dismissal distracted from the original story. Humes does describe the other side a...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book offers a riveting and wrenching account of the 2005 trial resulting from the Dover School District's decision to teach intelligent design. I say "wrenching" because, while the book covers a familiar culture wars narrative of religion vs. science, several themes are shown with striking clarity.

First, the deep gulf between scientists and biblical literalists; where scientists see questions of faith (which deal with the supernatural realm) as apart from questions of science (which deal w...more This book offers a riveting and wrenching account of the 2005 trial resulting from the Dover School District's decision to teach intelligent design. I say "wrenching" because, while the book covers a familiar culture wars narrative of religion vs. science, several themes are shown with striking clarity.

First, the deep gulf between scientists and biblical literalists; where scientists see questions of faith (which deal with the supernatural realm) as apart from questions of science (which deal with the natural world), biblical literalists see science as atheism and thus deeply threatening to their worldview. Hence, it must be defeated. Second, the eerie similarities between the tactics used by creationists and biblical literalists to defeat evolution, and the tactics used by climate change deniers to undermine environmental protection: both rely on an intellectually dishonest approach of creating a "controversy" within the scientific community (where there is none) and then forcing teachers, journalists, and politicians to give "both sides" equal weight in the name of fairness.

Third, the dogged refusal of so many foot soldiers in the creationist movement to actually try and understand evolutionary theory specifically or the scientific method generally. Fourth, and related, the extent to which the fear of controversy over science and evolution has already led biology textbook authors and biology K-12 teachers to self-censor themselves by simply skipping units in evolution. Finally, the ongoing insistence of evangelicals that we are a "Christian nation"; their refusal to admit that religious diversity exists in America; and their illogical insistence that removing religion from the public sphere constitutes a war on Christianity (rather than the creation of an even playing field for people of all faith traditions).

This book offers one explanation for why America lags in innovation and achievement. Huge swaths of the American public choose to remain ignorant, and are encouraged by their religious leaders to remain ignorant, about basic facts relating to history, law, and science. (Four stars rather than five stars because the narrative is repetitive in some places, and occasionally jumps around.)(less)

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Mar 12, 2013 Jessica rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: nobody

Shelves: from-src

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 16, 2008 Michael rated it 4 of 5 stars

A great record of Dover, Pennsylvania's failed attempt to shoehorn so-called "intelligent design" into their public school curriculum. Note to the cdesign proponentsists: be careful with that cut and paste feature when you try to turn your creationist propaganda into a science textbook.

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Jan 16, 2009 brian dean rated it 5 of 5 stars

An examination of the 2005 Intelligent Design trial in Dover, Pennsylvania. As an evolutionist, I was naturally happy to learn how the side promoting science won out, but also a little horrified by the lies and deception by the intelligent design faction.

The above is true, regardless of who wrote the book. In Monkey Girl, I actually became sympathetic to Bill Buckingham, the man who bullied his education council to promote ID and also collected funds from his church, then lied about where the mo...more

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Jul 24, 2009 Wendy Perkins rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An excellent overview and analysis of the Kitzmiller, et al vs. Dover School District trial that pitted Intelligent Design against Evolution. The author shows not only the events and decisions surrounding the trial, but also the history of the Intelligent Design movement. Interspersed through the narrative is a discussion of the "controversy" with a point-by-point rebuttal of the most popular creationist arguments. The writing style is incredibly readable. The author is able to take a complex an...more

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May 25, 2009 Nancy (NE) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

Fascinating read about the Dover PA court case around the conflict of teaching evolution versus intelligent design. Intelligent design being creationism in disguise. Having been raised to believe the Christian perspective was compatible with evolution/Darwinism, this book was an eye opener. The real issue is whether science and religion mix in a school setting. Sadly our society continues to be divided on issues of religion especially where public education is concerned. In most settings, scienc...more

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May 27, 2011 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love this book! It is brilliantly written. If the story wasn't so pathetically true, you may think you were reading a suspense book. I found myself getting angry at the school board's stupidity, self-imposed moral compass, and sheer hypocrisy. I would love to let Buckingham know what I think of his holier than thou antics. I love how he created the controversy and then bowed out before seeing the lawsuit to conclusion. Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic. I loved this book and highly recommend it. On...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Jason rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: journalism, politics

A maddeningly frustrating cautionary tale about what happens when religious fundamentalists attempt to subvert the Constitution and jurisprudence in the service of forcing their misinformed and misguided beliefs on the general population but also a spectacularly satisfying revenge story where these same fundamentalists find themselves outclassed, outmatched and outthought in a small town Pennsylvania courtroom. Although the books makes you want to pull your hair out in frustration at both the wi...more A maddeningly frustrating cautionary tale about what happens when religious fundamentalists attempt to subvert the Constitution and jurisprudence in the service of forcing their misinformed and misguided beliefs on the general population but also a spectacularly satisfying revenge story where these same fundamentalists find themselves outclassed, outmatched and outthought in a small town Pennsylvania courtroom. Although the books makes you want to pull your hair out in frustration at both the willful ignorance and unapologetic disingenuousness of the Dover Pennsylvania in its unconstitutional and anti-education attempt to enforce teaching biblical creationism (dishonesty labeled intelligent design) in public school classroom, it also makes you want to stand up in cheer as superior scientific thinkers and lawyers expose the attempt for what it really is: utter bullshit.

Throughout the book, Humes does a great job of characterizing all of the players on each side of the case, and, even though he clearly is biased toward logic and reason, he does attempt to paint as sympathetic a portrait of the Dover school board as is possible. In the process of covering the Kitzmiller v. Dover case, he digs deeply into the issue and presents a meticulous history of creationist assaults in the Constitution in the years between the Scopes Monkey Trial and the Kitzmiller trial--a history of underhanded, deliberate conspiracies to knowingly break the law in order to force a Supreme Court showdown. It's unconscionable, which makes it so satisfying when this latest attempt is destroyed in such a public and unequivocal way.

Although the book ends on a high note where facts, science and data triumph over superstition and small mindedness, Humes includes a grim epilogue reminding us that these attempts are far from over and that the religious right have no qualms about continuing to sabotage and fight against a modernizing culture that is increasingly leaving them behind and making them irrelevant. It's essential reading throughout its highs and lows.(less)

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Mar 02, 2011 Ana Mardoll rated it 5 of 5 stars

Monkey Girl / 978-0-06-088548-9

When all 350 pages of "Monkey Girl" arrived in the mail, I looked at this very large book a little dubiously. Although I was very interested in the Dover court trial, it seemed unlikely that my interest would be maintained through the entirety of such a large tome.

"Monkey Girl" is far from being the dry scholarly tome I had envisioned, however. Author Humes sustains the reader's interest so well, and brings the controversy around the Dover trial so brilliantly to l...more Monkey Girl / 978-0-06-088548-9

When all 350 pages of "Monkey Girl" arrived in the mail, I looked at this very large book a little dubiously. Although I was very interested in the Dover court trial, it seemed unlikely that my interest would be maintained through the entirety of such a large tome.

"Monkey Girl" is far from being the dry scholarly tome I had envisioned, however. Author Humes sustains the reader's interest so well, and brings the controversy around the Dover trial so brilliantly to life, that the entire book is as entertaining as it is informative. "Monkey Girl" begins with the initial stages of the Dover controversy, heightening the religious 'crusade' aspects of polarized board members who seemed more interested in 'outing' their science teachers as inferior (in their mind) Christians and people, rather than in educating their students.

As Humes builds up to the highly anticipated trial, and makes the case for Intelligent Design as a mere palette swap of Creation Science, and explains why evolution is such a robust and healthy theory, it is astonishing to see how much detail is included in this book. Fascinating material is given with regards to such topics as pseudogenes and fused chromosomes, and in such an accessible manner that readers of any levels will be able to understand. If anything, this accessibility of the material serves to underscore just how unnecessary this trial and 'controversy' were, and it is truly frustrating to hear the school board members readily admit in court that they had been totally unwilling to listen to any of the science teachers, and - indeed - refused to research either evolution OR intelligent design prior to forcing it into the classroom. One cannot help but feel that if people focused less on partisan politics and more on looking at the facts and weighing the options, our children would be better served.

"Monkey Girl" contains so many interesting gems of information (for instance, that the initial push to teach evolution in the classrooms came not from 'godless liberals', but from Republicans during the space race and communism scares - a time when we recognized that sub-standard schools did not benefit our country as a whole), that even those who are not directly interested in the Dover trial and controversy will still find interesting reading material here. If nothing else, "Monkey Girl" is a good example of how a good trial, with a good judge, really ought to unfold - it is clear that Judge John Jones was initially 'expected' to rule along party and partisan lines, and it is refreshing to see this unfairly cynical assumption turned on its head. Humes gives careful evidence that Judge Jones listened carefully and with an open mind to the evidence on trial before him, and that he sought to provide a ruling both fair and factual.

~ Ana Mardoll(less)

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Aug 17, 2011 Nikki rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, own, evolution, 2011

I found this book to be good in the I-want-to-pull-my-hair-out, oh-why-are-people-so-stupid kind of way. Humes writes a thorough and well explained book about the battle between evolution and creationism (or intelligent design) and schools in Dover, Pennsylvania. He includes various other cases and situations regarding this battle as well, dating back more than eighty years ago (rather ridiculous that this country is STILL battling evolution after that length of time). Aside from the battle deta...more I found this book to be good in the I-want-to-pull-my-hair-out, oh-why-are-people-so-stupid kind of way. Humes writes a thorough and well explained book about the battle between evolution and creationism (or intelligent design) and schools in Dover, Pennsylvania. He includes various other cases and situations regarding this battle as well, dating back more than eighty years ago (rather ridiculous that this country is STILL battling evolution after that length of time). Aside from the battle detailed within I also found errors an editor should have spotted and fixed prior to publication, such as "problems arises" and including important words like "not" when you meant the opposite. I found it very distracting.

Growing up in a family which allowed you to decide on religion without pressure I became rather curious as to what the appeal was for others, why were they so "faithful"? Even at a young age I decided after curiosity led me to explore religion, that it was simply not for me. So I grew up happy with my dinosaur and other species books and eventually went to college and majored in biology. Of my classes, some of my favorites were based on evolution so I had a strong understanding of the field when I began this book. But even in college I still wondered what was the great appeal of religion? I did not get it. I eventually attended numerous religious events with religious friends of different denominations of various faiths, dated a guy who went to church weekly and read parts of the Bible. So I can, unlike many who blindly follow any belief, religious or not, say with conviction that I am one of those hated atheists of which the pro-creation/ID individuals in the book throw like a curse word to those who dare dispute them. So while after Humes book I see all of the pieces of the ID/creation point of view, I still do not understand how one can proceed in life this way. Most of the individuals who battled against evolution did not even understand it (and some did not even understand their own position clearly). Why oh why are we letting the Ann Coulters of the world influence so many minds?

I think I need a nice long nap and some ibuprofen after this book. Just read the actual trial information Humes includes and you will be astounded as to why anyone would think they even had a chance against evolution. These were the most entertaining of all the chapters and the decision by Judge Jones was thorough and thankfully rational. The poor man received death threats for simply upholding one of the most basic tenets of the USA, separation of church and SCIENCE (or state).

One of the sections which had the greatest impression on me was regarding those who believe in evolution broken down into such things as what part of the country they live, their level of education, sex or religious background (chapter 2). During the discussion of those Humes writes of a young man who worries about what evolution could cause. He states: "I'm really afraid to learn too much about evolution, because it might make me doubt my religion. And then where would I be? What would I tell my family?" This young man stated this at a conference with other people of faith who disagreed with evolution as well (although most could not explain the theory to you). So what I take from this, and the fact that people agreed rather than spoke against this individual, is that his faith is not solid enough to even simply LEARN about evolution? And others who heard this were not appalled by his lack of conviction? What kind of faith is that? If I believe in something I am not afraid to learn about the other side, this is simply ignorance. And I must say, if anything, the battle between evolution and creationism does seem to come down to simply that.

Overall though, evolution is an absolutely fascinating subject and more data to back it up is found everyday it seems. Is science my religion as some creationists try to state about people who agree with evolution? Nah, but it sure is fun. But that may be because I was brainwashed by going to college (did you know college did that?). Ignorance IS bliss! Oh and atheists aren’t the work of Satan or at least I haven’t found my mark yet, where is it usually located? ;)(less)

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Feb 14, 2009 Rob rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: science, favorites

An excellent journalistic look at the religious mentality in America...although the same mentality is very much alive elsewhere. The author tries his best to be balanced, and he manages to remain disinterested (not to be confused with uninterested) about as much as humanly possible. However, probably due to the fact that he's writing about some really ignorant and hard-headed people, in the end one gets the feeling that he's on the side of the Darwinists. What I got out of this book is not that...more

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Aug 29, 2008 Katherine rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked this book for two things: the simple, fascinating explanations of the many scientific experiments that prove evolution and the day to day account of the Dover, PA version of the Scopes Monkey Trial. Where the book went wrong was when the author tried to bite off more than he could chew - delving into the history of the evolution/creationism debate or inexplicably spending a few chapters of the book in Kansas, superficially tackling the debate the School Board there was having before retu...more

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Aug 01, 2008 Jamie rated it 5 of 5 stars

The full title here is Monkey Girl: Evolution, Education, Religion, and the Battle for America's Soul by Edward Humes. There are surprisingly few monkeys or girls in this book, but it does tell the story of the lawsuit between the Dover, Pennsylvania school board and parents who didn't like the idea of religion under the thin guise of intelligent design (ID) being taught in their public schools.

One reason I picked up this book was that while I had soaked up some of the ID controversy through var...more The full title here is Monkey Girl: Evolution, Education, Religion, and the Battle for America's Soul by Edward Humes. There are surprisingly few monkeys or girls in this book, but it does tell the story of the lawsuit between the Dover, Pennsylvania school board and parents who didn't like the idea of religion under the thin guise of intelligent design (ID) being taught in their public schools.

One reason I picked up this book was that while I had soaked up some of the ID controversy through various other media, my knowledge pretty much stopped at "Dem Kansas people sure are dum, hur, hur, hur." The Pennsylvania suit actually went to trial first, and was more influential from a legal standpoint. Basically, here's what happened: a few very vocal and influential members of the Dover school board decided they wanted to reintroduce religion to public schools, and that the godless and anti-religious (to their view) science of evolution needed to go. The best way to do this was to start with a small wedge like creationism --the view that the Old Testament stories of creation should be taken literally-- and then widen the entrance until happy children everywhere are thumping Bibles during recess and that Goldstein kid just stands in the corner looking REALLY uncomfortable. Later, when they actually started getting legal council about how teaching religion in publicly funded schools is kinda sorta totally illegal and unconstitutional, the school board changed their tune slightly from promoting creationism to backing intelligent design as an alternative to evolution. ID posits that the universe in general and mankind in specific are too complex to happen by chance or evolution, and that they had to be designed by someone. They don’t come out and say that that “someone” is G-O-D, but that’s pretty much where everyone’s guesses start and end.

So this is what the school board did, even as their science teachers and a few dissenting board members yelled themselves hoarse in protest. And then some concerned parents --many of them Christians themselves-- said “oh no you di’ent!” and sued the board for violating their children’s constitutional rights. Because ID was still basically religion in the classroom. The school board and their council said “Nuh-uh! Is not!” and the judge had to take it from there.

As far as the book itself, Humes does a really good job of presenting the issues and the case surrounding this lawsuit. It’s clear that he’s on the side of the evolutionists, but it’s also clear from his account how the intelligent design proponents were using ID as a means of bringing religion into schools and had no interest in its scientific merits, which is convenient seeing as it has few. Humes tells the story of this conflict through its players, taking you meticulously through how each step was made and each decision was arrived at, from the beginning of the school board’s decision through the verdict of the resulting trial and its aftermath. The author is exceedingly detailed and specific, but at the same time he keeps the narrative moving forward and keeps things interesting enough so that I wanted to keep reading. Like any good story teller, he lets the characters in the drama shine and tells the tale through them.

Another great thing about Monkey Girl is that it’s fairly educational. I already knew the basics of evolution (animals differ, some of those differences are beneficial, those possessing such benefits proliferate, etc.), but Humes goes beyond the basics, both in his recounting of the trial testimonies and his own asides. After closing the book, I felt that I not only had a better grasp on the historic lawsuit and verdict, but also the issues and science surrounding it. Plus I was entertained, so what’s not to like? (less)

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Jun 24, 2008 Mazola1 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Skeptic-in-Chief, Michael Shermer, has described Pulitizer Prize winner Edward Humes' book, Monkey Girl as "the definitive history" of the Kitzmiller trial and a "must-read for anyone who cares about science, education, and liberty." That would seem to exclude the Dover Board of Education that voted to include intelligent design as part of the high school biology curriculum, and a large segment of the American public.

Humes provides a reporter's eye view of the infamous trial, giving a nearly per...more Skeptic-in-Chief, Michael Shermer, has described Pulitizer Prize winner Edward Humes' book, Monkey Girl as "the definitive history" of the Kitzmiller trial and a "must-read for anyone who cares about science, education, and liberty." That would seem to exclude the Dover Board of Education that voted to include intelligent design as part of the high school biology curriculum, and a large segment of the American public.

Humes provides a reporter's eye view of the infamous trial, giving a nearly perfect description of the motivations and personalities of those on both sides of the fence in Dover, as well as a cogent description of the history of the creationism vs. evolution controversy and why it engenders such passionate and bitter feelings.

While Monkey Girl reads pretty much as a reporter's account of the trial could be expected to, still it's not hard to discern which side of the debate Humes comes down on. It's obvious that he agrees with Judge John Jones III that the decision of the Dover board was an act of "breath-taking inanity." Ostensibly, that's because the board was warned by its own attorney that putting ID into science classes would get it sued, and would not pass constitutional muster. This unwise act was compounded by the decision of several board members to lie egregriously about their motivations. Several denied ever having discussed creationism in connection with their meetings, despite the fact that their were multiple newspaper articles and at least one television clip showing that that's exactly what they did.

But beyond this, by his lucid summary of the scientific evidence at the trial, Humes exposes the shortcomings of ID, including its failure to produce any persuasive evidence that it has a scientific basis, and could or should be regarded as a scientific, rather than a religious, idea. Does this make Humes something more than a merely objective reporter? The answer to that question may provide a sort of litmus test as to which side of the debate you come down on.

Humes describes a lecture by Kent Hovind, a bombastic, but wildly popular critic of evolution, now imprisioned after being convicted of tax fraud, as "his usual mix of cornpone humor and utterly incorrect science." And he takes Ann Coulter to task for her many inaccuracies, lies and ludicrous errors in her book, Godless. But you have to love a book that first points out that Coulter confuses tautology with circular reasoning, and then explains the difference this way: "Here's a true tautology: Ann Coulter gets so many things wrong because she gets so few things right."

Particularly engrossing is Humes' description of the cross-examination of Michael Behe, the district's major scientific expert at trial, and one of the big guns in the ID movement. While Humes perhaps betrays his admiration and approval of the cross-examination, it nonetheless was widely regarded as devastating and will no doubt go down as a classic cross-examination. Judge Jones called it the "most effective cross-examination he had ever witnesses in his quarter century of legal practice."

Humes describes how Behe's mood on cross-examination shifted from chipper and ebullient as it had been on direct, to evasive, trapped and flustered. He details how Behe testified that ID was "testable in a laboratory," but went on to admit that although there was an experiment with bacteria that could be performed which could falsify or prove his theory of irreducible complexity and intelligent design, he had not performed it because to do so would "not be fruitful." He recounts how Behe wrote that ID focuses on proposed mechanisms for how complex biological structures arose, but was unable to identify any such mechanisms, how Behe testified that his definition of science, which is broad enough to encompass ID, and is broader than the one accepted by the scientific establishment, would also encompass astrology as science.

Although Humes shows that the proponents of ID were simply outgunned at trial, scientifically, legally and logically, still he shows that the proponents of evolution are not winning in the public consciouness or in the public schools, with a majority of Americans believing that creationism is true, and distrustful, if not downright hostile, to evolution, and many school districts either not teaching evolution, or giving it short shrift as "too controversial." It really doesn't matter what carbon dating, DNA, and the fossil record show about the age of the earth and the common ancestry of life on earth. Or that many scientists and religious leaders, includding the Pope, have said that evolution is not inconsistent with belief in a divine creator. For many people, evolution is atheism, and does not belong in public schools, period.

At the end of his book, Humes quotes a Dover High student: "People are going to believe whatever they want when it comes to Darwin and God and coming from monkeys. That's why they call it belief. Facts have nothing to do with it. So why get all upset about it?'

There's a certain sadness and truth, as well as a certain naivete about that statement. The Dover case, and the continuing bitter strugges in America over "cultural" issues show just why people do get upset about their beliefs. Humes' book shows why this bitter struggle is not likely to end with the Dover decision. (less)

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Jul 08, 2007 Tori rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: absolutely everyone

Shelves: nonfiction

Reading this book awakened me to a frightening problem that I was up to now unaware of: the undermining of children's education in America. Regardless of motives, what the religious right is doing to their children is damaging. That most anti-evolutionists are unaware of the facts of their own argument, completely misunderstand evolutionary theory, and insist upon a nonexistent religious bias in the constitution speaks volumes about their own educations. "Monkey Girl" is an excellent primer on t...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Jeanne rated it 5 of 5 stars

Great scientfic defense of evolution. Nice to actually read good laymen arguments and rebuttals for evolution that anyone could understand at a trial. Very interesting run up to the trial and learning how it all happened and the people involved in the decisions. Good job with the run up to the trial and covering evolution/creationism/intelligent design. I found the book fascinating and frightening at the same time.

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Dec 17, 2009 Jim Good rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: history, non-fiction, politics, science, sociology

History of the evolution and intelligent design debate at the Dover school district in Penn. The book covers the rational and history of ID which provides insight into why the scientific community is skeptical of the “teach the controversy” reteric. The book further covers the basics behind scientific thought and development and why even the most tested and confirmed axioms are called theories rather than facts.

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