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iwatson
Posted May 31, 2010
Deep and to the point
The preface of this book states "Every discipline spawns jargon as a verbal shorthand. In evolutionary science, the jargon both helps scientists keep control and dissuades laymen from asking questions scientists would rather not answer. That's why this book promotes one key premise: Anyone can understand evolution. "
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That is exactly was Lisa A. Shiel does in "The Evolution Conspiracy." This short, concise book gives the reader an option of looking at evolution in an understandable way. Shiel includes charts, explanations, photographs, definitions, references, and research to help the lay persons make their own decision of what to believe. There is no jargon; just plain and simple comprehensible English.
However, it is not easy reading by no means. Because of the depth that Shiel goes into I found, as an interested reader, I often had to re-read paragraphs and chapters. As well, I chose to do further research on my own. This is not to say the writing was flawed, but this is to say the Shiel's writing manifested curiosity for me and I wanted to thoroughly understand what she was saying.
In Chapter 11 "Untangling the Vines" Shiel presents questions to ask oneself and even after reading her book, I'm not sure I can answer them. Not much wonder the worlds of politics, science and religion clash on the subject of evolution. None can come up with a proven answer, just an assumption that is considered to be correct depending on the trail you choose to embark.
Deep and to the point, "The Evolution Conspiracy" will make you think, which in itself is a evolutionary process. -
Thought provoking look at Evolution
Whether you are an evolutionist, creationist, or some other belief, The Evolution Conspiracy is a well scientific researched book that examines the theories revolving around evolution. Do you believe that humans are descended from apes, or some other animal? The Evolution Conspiracy is a book that examines from a scientific perspective that theories from the various scientific disciplines.
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This reviewer found the book filled with science, not conjecture, although some of the paleoanthropologists and paleontologists only have theories with scant proof other than incomplete fossils and conjecture from these incomplete fossils.
Read The Evolution Conspiracy and make your own decision about evolution, this reviewer did and gives this book a four star recommendation. -
Anonymous
Posted September 8, 2009
The Evolution Conspiracy a Triumph
Lisa Shiel has written an outstanding book questioning the validity of the paradigm of Darwinian natural selection, and Lisa backs up her challenge to the established dogma with rock solid science and irrefutable logic. This is a must read for those interested in the science of evolution.
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What Shiel has done is write a book about the scientific problems of Darwinian Evolution for non-scientists. Often the discussion of evolution degenerates into a complicated game of semantics, but Shiel is ever mindful of the difficulties faced by non-scientists, careful to define terms and lay out lucid explanations of the issues. I feared she was going to be too simple in her approach while reading the first chapter, but my fears were laid to rest as she tears into the science like a lion into a gazelle. It was very impressive; she has done her homework, and her understanding of the issue is second to none.
The whole debate over Darwinian Natural Selection is often murky, deliberately so because the defenders of Darwinian evolution want to keep it that way; they hide behind technical jargon to make the non-scientist believe the subject is over their heads, much like ancient Greek priests and the Oracle of Delphi. There is liberal use of insult and ridicule of those who dare challenge what they claim is a scientific theory, making it harder to have a reasonable discussion of the issue. Clearly, Lisa Shiel has run into this herself, and she opens with a discussion of why evolutionary theory remains enshrined in the Holy of Holies among biologists, despite serious discrepencies.
She then takes the reader through a step-by-step tour of evolutionary biology, starting with abiogenesis (the beginning of life) through the earliest life-forms, and continues through the fossil record up to the Hominem lineage, illustrating the problems and gaps in our knowledge all along the way. This book synthesizes geology, biology, zoology, genetics, even astronomy, always with an eye on the problems that make Darwinian Theory untenable-or at least scientifically unsupportable as the dominant theory of life.
Each chapter is heavily documented, and Shiel also provides some outstanding illustrations and graphs. All terms used in the book are carefully defined, and the history of life is carefully assembled brick by brick. This is a clear, concise, solid work that will undoubtedly rain fury on the author`s cringing head. An easy read, I poured through the whole thing in about 4 hours, unwilling to take a break because I was fascinated with her arguments. She avoids many of the more common disputes, barely mentioning the peppered moths, for example and completely ignoring the whole Piltdown Man controversy; she is interested in building a solid case, and any honest Darwinist would have to admit she is more than fair in her treatment of evolution.
I would heartily recommend this book, particularly for those looking to educate themselves on the subject. Easily understood by laymen, yet scientifically rigorous, this is a triumph of common sense and logic in a field dominated by dogmatism and materialistic faith.
I can`t wait for volume 2!
(The book is available from Slipdown Mountain Publications 28151 Quarry Lake R, Lake Linden MI 49945 www.SlipdownMountain.com)
Timothy Birdnow -
Ms_Librarian
Posted June 21, 2009
Question everything
Evolution is an issue that causes everyone to jump on their soapbox. Some people believe that it is totally true and anyone else is crazy. Others believe that God created the world and anyone who says otherwise is a heretic. The rest of us straddle the fence, unable to decide and not wanting to offend the two militant parties.
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Lisa Shiel is willing to question the scientists. She believes that evolution is not the well proven fact scientists insist it is. In reality, evolution doesn't even rate the title of theory. Scientists treat the public as if they are too ignorant to understand the arguments and don't rate the effort to impart the truth. Shiel says anyone can understand the arguments, but they are not sound enough to be convincing.
This book starts the argument at the very beginning, how did life begin? After proving scientists don't actually know, she moves on to evolution, looking for proof. While Darwin gave us his book, The Origin of Species,, Shiel reminds us scientists don't have the right to call evolution a theory, because it fails all the tests a theory must pass. For example, it can not be reproduced and observed in a lab and theories must be testable.
The book then takes us to the study of the first humans and points out that so little of the skeleton is found, the majority of the final image is the conjecture of the scientists. Also, even the so-called experts can't decide the exact evolution of humans or even how many species or sub-species are between apes and humans.
I enjoyed this book a great deal. I'm a writer, so advanced biology is way out of my league. However, Lisa Shiel makes the most difficult issues easy to comprehend. She explains the myriad of complex words, even providing the average Joe a glossary with useful definitions.
The Evolution Conspiracy gives us a knowledgeable person in Lisa Shiel, willing to present an educated alternative argument. Even though many of us have doubts, we don't know enough of the workings of the science of evolution to give intelligent arguments. Shiel takes each of the 'facts' and with her own set of facts tears apart the castles in the air.
This book also voices the concerns many of us wonder about by silence. For example I've always wondered, if humans evolved from apes, why aren't there beings that are between humans and apes? Apes exist and humans exist, but no middle man walks the earth today. I speak for many when I say that I want some more proof This book is a delight because it encourages questioning and urges readers to think for themselves. Evolution has been taught so much in schools, we don't think we have a right to ask questions or disagree. Shiel reminds us that we can question, and we should.