Exploring the Unknown: Great Mysteries Reexamined by Charles J. Cazeau and Stuart D. Scott (review)

332 Books knowledge of the disciplines involved, astronomy, biochemistry and genetics, can see the general pattern and appreciate the problems still outstanding. Folsome also introduces the second book of the new series of Readings from the Scientific American. These cover much the same ground in much the same style, but the two books are complementary. The 13 papers were published over a period of 25 years; some of the views expressed have been invalidated by later work, and there are contradictions and duplications. Nevertheless, they have the immediacy and excitement of original articles by specialists on their own research. The difficulty of the research, the successes and the disappointments stand out here in a way they cannot in a textbook by a single author. The standard of presentation and clarity is high, as one expects from the Scientific American. Together, the two books are an admirable introduction to an interdisciplinary study of extraordinary complexity. The third book is a curiosity. Few Christians, or Jews, feel bound to accept the literal truth of the Genesis account of creation. Those who do in the U.S.A. form creation societies and bring pressure to bear on State legislatures to control the teaching of biology. In certain States, laws have been passed to the effect that evolution should be presented as an unproved scientific hypothesis, a possible alternative to specific creation. Thurman's book is addressed to high-school and college students and adopts this point of view.Macroevolution, the origin of species and genera, apart from interspecific crosses. is, he believes, a theory based on inadequate evidence, as much dependent on faith as is belief in the creation story. He discusses various interpretations of the Genesis account and concludes that students must decide for themselves between them and evolution theory. Curiously, the origin of humans, which is surely the central issue, is dismissed in a single page. More than 300 years ago, Sir Thomas Browne wrote (of the value of pi given in II Chron. IV, 2) 'now if herein I adhere unto Archimedes who speaketh exactly, rather than the sacred Text which speaketh largely; I hope I shall not offend Divinity: I am sure I shall have reason and experience of every circle to support me'. The principle enunciated here is as sound to-day, and those who cannot accept it should surely not study science. It is 90 years since British Prime Minister Gladstone attacked Darwin's theories in The Impregnable Rock of Holy Scripture, and now many theologians, as well as scientists, generally regard the creation story as no more than a wonderful legend. Planets and Moons. William J. Kaufmann, III. W. H. Freeman, Reading, England, 1979.219 pp., illus. Paper, £3.95. Reviewed by Ralph Turner* There is not as yet enough information available on the planets in the solar system for each one to be given a chapter in a book for general readers. On the other hand, there is now so much available about Mars that condensation of it into one chapter is difficult. Kaufmann provides a chapter on each of the five planets nearest the Sun, one on the Moon and three on other bodies in the system. His book was published before much new information on Jupiter and Saturn was provided by the Voyager I spacecraft. I have two critical comments to make. The 1974 Mariner X exploration of Mercury is described by him as recording a 'desolate landscape never before viewed by any creature in the universe', implying that there are 'creatures' other than those on Earth. His statement that Venus is bright because it is cloud covered and close to the Sun isonly partly correct-it is also close to the Earth. Over half of the pages contain illustrative material. There are excellent photographs taken from observatories on Earth and from spacecraft. The text is unusually comprehensive and the book will serve as an excellent reference for nonspecialists. There is an adequate index. The book provides a good introduction for artists who are becoming interested in the subject of the solar system for their works. .Rock Creek Experimental Station, RI. 2, Box 167, Sheridan, OR 97378, U.S.A. Exploring the Unknown...