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Evolution? The Fossils Say No!
Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso
186 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1979
About the author
Duane T. Gish
35 books15 followersDuane Tolbert Gish is an American biochemist and a prominent member of the creationist movement. Gish is a former vice-president of the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) and the author of numerous publications on the subject of scientific creationism. Gish has been called "creationism's T.H. Huxley" for the way he "relished the confrontations" of formal debates with prominent evolutionists, usually held on university campuses."
He holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.
He spent 18 years in biochemical and biomedical research at Cornell University Medical College, the Virus Laboratory of the University of California, Berkeley, and The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is the author or co-author of numerous technical articles in his field and a well-known author and lecturer on creation/evolution.
He holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley.
He spent 18 years in biochemical and biomedical research at Cornell University Medical College, the Virus Laboratory of the University of California, Berkeley, and The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is the author or co-author of numerous technical articles in his field and a well-known author and lecturer on creation/evolution.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 10, 2025
I don't even know where to start with this book. It was painful to read. I could only handle four pages at a time, so it took me a while to finish. The only reason I completed it was that my friend wanted me to read it. I spent a lot of time fact-checking the numerous claims made in this book, which led to plenty of headaches. But hey, at least it gave me the opportunity to learn more about science and evolution! Not sure if that was Gish's intention, though.
1.Selective Use of Evidence: Gish selectively uses and ignores evidence that contradicts his position. He presents only the evidence that supports his views while disregarding the overwhelming evidence that contradicts them, by pretending that they don’t exist.
2.Misunderstanding and Misrepresentation of Transitional Fossils: Gish frequently argues that transitional fossils are missing. Transitional fossils do exist and represent organisms that show characteristics of both ancestral and descendant groups. Examples like Archaeopteryx (showing how birds evolved from dinosaur ancestors) and various hominid fossils (demonstrating the evolution of modern humans from apes) illustrate gradual transitions between species. Even during his time, Gish relied on outdated arguments and ignored available evidence. Since the publication of this book, many more transitional fossils have been discovered. If Gish were alive today, it's unlikely he would reconsider his views, as he has shown in interviews that he refuses to update his position, no matter how much evidence contradicts it.
3.Cherry-Picking and Misusing Scientific Studies: This is painfully evident throughout the entire book. Gish often quotes studies that are either outdated or taken completely out of context, manipulating them to fit his narrative. He frequently cites isolated cases where scientists have revised certain interpretations over time, but fails to acknowledge that revisions are a normal part of the scientific process and don't undermine the theory of evolution as a whole. Gish either didn't understand—or pretended not to understand—that scientists can be wrong at one point in time, but they openly accept that, update their knowledge, and move forward toward the truth. Gish, however, refuses to update his understanding because if he did, it would be against his creationist beliefs and faith.
4.Straw Man Arguments: Gish consistently oversimplifies evolution, reducing it to just "random mutations" without explaining how natural selection shapes those mutations into adaptive traits over time. He suggests that evolutionary theory requires the impossibility of large-scale complexity evolving through gradual changes, but this distorts what evolutionary biology actually asserts.
5.False Dichotomy Between Evolution and Creationism: The book creates a false dichotomy, implying that one must choose between evolution and creationism. In reality, many religious individuals accept evolution as the mechanism by which life develops. Gish’s attempt to encourage his readers to ignore science as they have to take a “side” or something, is very dangerous.
6.Confusing Microevolution and Macroevolution: Gish often confuses microevolution (small-scale changes within species) with macroevolution (large-scale changes that result in the formation of new species). He argues that because microevolution can be observed, macroevolution is therefore unproven.
7.Rejection of Dating Methods: Gish strongly rejects radiometric dating and other scientific methods used to determine the age of fossils and the Earth—methods that are fundamental to our understanding of geology and evolutionary history. These methods are based on well-established principles of physics and chemistry, and their reliability is supported by numerous independent lines of evidence.
8.The "God of the Gaps" Problem: Gish invokes God as an explanation for phenomena that are not yet understood by science. This approach, known as the "God of the gaps” is problematic because it relies on gaps in scientific knowledge to justify divine intervention, rather than seeking scientific explanations and accepting the fact that truth is complicated to understand while fiction is simple and straightforward.
9.The good ol Gish Gallop: Finally, Duane Gish has become infamous for his use of the "Gish Gallop" (literally named after him, Google this for more info), a technique in which he overwhelms his opponent with rapid-fire, misleading arguments, hoping they won’t be able to refute them all. Gish has been known for his dishonesty and misrepresentation of scientific facts.
If you somehow disagree with everything else that I have said, at least keep this last one in mind as misinformation is a dangerous thing especially at a time like now that it can be spread easily. I have so much more to say about this book and Duane Gish in general but I will leave it at that:)
1.Selective Use of Evidence: Gish selectively uses and ignores evidence that contradicts his position. He presents only the evidence that supports his views while disregarding the overwhelming evidence that contradicts them, by pretending that they don’t exist.
2.Misunderstanding and Misrepresentation of Transitional Fossils: Gish frequently argues that transitional fossils are missing. Transitional fossils do exist and represent organisms that show characteristics of both ancestral and descendant groups. Examples like Archaeopteryx (showing how birds evolved from dinosaur ancestors) and various hominid fossils (demonstrating the evolution of modern humans from apes) illustrate gradual transitions between species. Even during his time, Gish relied on outdated arguments and ignored available evidence. Since the publication of this book, many more transitional fossils have been discovered. If Gish were alive today, it's unlikely he would reconsider his views, as he has shown in interviews that he refuses to update his position, no matter how much evidence contradicts it.
3.Cherry-Picking and Misusing Scientific Studies: This is painfully evident throughout the entire book. Gish often quotes studies that are either outdated or taken completely out of context, manipulating them to fit his narrative. He frequently cites isolated cases where scientists have revised certain interpretations over time, but fails to acknowledge that revisions are a normal part of the scientific process and don't undermine the theory of evolution as a whole. Gish either didn't understand—or pretended not to understand—that scientists can be wrong at one point in time, but they openly accept that, update their knowledge, and move forward toward the truth. Gish, however, refuses to update his understanding because if he did, it would be against his creationist beliefs and faith.
4.Straw Man Arguments: Gish consistently oversimplifies evolution, reducing it to just "random mutations" without explaining how natural selection shapes those mutations into adaptive traits over time. He suggests that evolutionary theory requires the impossibility of large-scale complexity evolving through gradual changes, but this distorts what evolutionary biology actually asserts.
5.False Dichotomy Between Evolution and Creationism: The book creates a false dichotomy, implying that one must choose between evolution and creationism. In reality, many religious individuals accept evolution as the mechanism by which life develops. Gish’s attempt to encourage his readers to ignore science as they have to take a “side” or something, is very dangerous.
6.Confusing Microevolution and Macroevolution: Gish often confuses microevolution (small-scale changes within species) with macroevolution (large-scale changes that result in the formation of new species). He argues that because microevolution can be observed, macroevolution is therefore unproven.
7.Rejection of Dating Methods: Gish strongly rejects radiometric dating and other scientific methods used to determine the age of fossils and the Earth—methods that are fundamental to our understanding of geology and evolutionary history. These methods are based on well-established principles of physics and chemistry, and their reliability is supported by numerous independent lines of evidence.
8.The "God of the Gaps" Problem: Gish invokes God as an explanation for phenomena that are not yet understood by science. This approach, known as the "God of the gaps” is problematic because it relies on gaps in scientific knowledge to justify divine intervention, rather than seeking scientific explanations and accepting the fact that truth is complicated to understand while fiction is simple and straightforward.
9.The good ol Gish Gallop: Finally, Duane Gish has become infamous for his use of the "Gish Gallop" (literally named after him, Google this for more info), a technique in which he overwhelms his opponent with rapid-fire, misleading arguments, hoping they won’t be able to refute them all. Gish has been known for his dishonesty and misrepresentation of scientific facts.
If you somehow disagree with everything else that I have said, at least keep this last one in mind as misinformation is a dangerous thing especially at a time like now that it can be spread easily. I have so much more to say about this book and Duane Gish in general but I will leave it at that:)
August 18, 2024
THE FIRST EDITION OF GISH'S FIRST (AND MOST FAMOUS) BOOK
Duane Tolbert Gish (born 1921) is an American biochemist and a prominent member of the "young earth" creationist movement (as well as a former vice-president of the Institute for Creation Research/ICR, with whom he has long been associated). He was probably the most well-known creationist debater, as well as the author of key creationist books such as 'Creation Scientists Answer Their Critics,' etc. He updated this 1972 book in 1985 as 'Evolution: The Challenge of the Fossil Record,' then again in 1995 as 'Evolution: The Fossils Still Say No!'
He notes, "...no significant evolutionary change has occurred in these moths. These moths today not only are still moths, they are still peppered moths, Bitson belularia. This evidence, therefore, is irrelevant to the questions we seek to answer." (Pg. 22)
He argues, "Even more devastating evidence against the assumption of a hominid status for Ramapithecus has been recent revelations concerning a living high-altitude baboon found in Ethiopia... (which) has many of the facial, dental, and mandibular characteristics used to classify Ramapithecus as a hominid!" (Pg. 77-78) He adds later, "These results certainly support the contention... that Australopithecus, while possessing canines and incisors more similar to man than to those of extant apes, was nonetheless nothing but an ape. After all, teeth alone don't make the man!" (Pg. 107)
He suggests, "Evolutionists cite the fact that many different kinds of animals have structures, organs, and metabolism that are similar... Is it surprising that the biochemistry... of the human is very similar to that of a rat? After all, don't we eat the same kind of food, drink the same water, and breathe the same air?" (Pg. 121)
While one should read the more modern revisions, this early book is still pungent in its attack, and makes its point in a much briefer space.
Duane Tolbert Gish (born 1921) is an American biochemist and a prominent member of the "young earth" creationist movement (as well as a former vice-president of the Institute for Creation Research/ICR, with whom he has long been associated). He was probably the most well-known creationist debater, as well as the author of key creationist books such as 'Creation Scientists Answer Their Critics,' etc. He updated this 1972 book in 1985 as 'Evolution: The Challenge of the Fossil Record,' then again in 1995 as 'Evolution: The Fossils Still Say No!'
He notes, "...no significant evolutionary change has occurred in these moths. These moths today not only are still moths, they are still peppered moths, Bitson belularia. This evidence, therefore, is irrelevant to the questions we seek to answer." (Pg. 22)
He argues, "Even more devastating evidence against the assumption of a hominid status for Ramapithecus has been recent revelations concerning a living high-altitude baboon found in Ethiopia... (which) has many of the facial, dental, and mandibular characteristics used to classify Ramapithecus as a hominid!" (Pg. 77-78) He adds later, "These results certainly support the contention... that Australopithecus, while possessing canines and incisors more similar to man than to those of extant apes, was nonetheless nothing but an ape. After all, teeth alone don't make the man!" (Pg. 107)
He suggests, "Evolutionists cite the fact that many different kinds of animals have structures, organs, and metabolism that are similar... Is it surprising that the biochemistry... of the human is very similar to that of a rat? After all, don't we eat the same kind of food, drink the same water, and breathe the same air?" (Pg. 121)
While one should read the more modern revisions, this early book is still pungent in its attack, and makes its point in a much briefer space.
January 7, 2024
I'm sure this book maybe useful for someone but for what purpose?
The book is anti-evolution and pro-creation and that is fine but it is not a gospel book, it it is not a Biblical theology book it is a book from the creation movement which can then believe anything after that, Jewish people, Muslims and others are creationists, what they do after that diverges drastically from them gospel.
The other main aspect is that the Bible is not a scientific textbook, it was never designed to be a science book, it is also not a history book or a geography book, or even an English book, it is a book about the revelation of God, God revealing himself to man, and this book got none of that, it just got to summarise evolution is wrong and creation is right.
OK fine, but to me a lot of arguing over something that can be summed up in Genesis 1:1.
The book is anti-evolution and pro-creation and that is fine but it is not a gospel book, it it is not a Biblical theology book it is a book from the creation movement which can then believe anything after that, Jewish people, Muslims and others are creationists, what they do after that diverges drastically from them gospel.
The other main aspect is that the Bible is not a scientific textbook, it was never designed to be a science book, it is also not a history book or a geography book, or even an English book, it is a book about the revelation of God, God revealing himself to man, and this book got none of that, it just got to summarise evolution is wrong and creation is right.
OK fine, but to me a lot of arguing over something that can be summed up in Genesis 1:1.
May 14, 2023
Though written 50 years ago, it turns out not a lot has changed in the fossil records in those five decades. I was able to validate those claims that seemed to be outdated, and all of them have continued to be supportive of Gish’s argument. The main push is that the fossil record has not produced the evidence Darwin was looking for in 1859. We still do not see slow, gradual changes between species, but rather we see complex forms in similar stages as they are today. The book also allows for Gish’s point of view to be presented in a logical, complete format, not always achieved when these types of arguments are presented in a live debate setting. Highly recommended for those taking a critical look at evolution.
October 25, 2018
I read this book in high school and had the privilege of hearing the author and Dr. Morris give an evening lecture at a near by university. Excellent book. Excellent resource. I still have the book, but it's falling apart.
August 26, 2017
One of the first books I ever read about the creation/evolution debate. I remember loving it.
June 13, 2020
did not finish. I’m not a creationist, but that’s not the reason for my one star review. the book was just boring 🤷🏻♀️
December 7, 2022
This book’s greatest contribution is in bringing to the forefront the absolute lack of transitional fossils between the kinds.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews