"The creationists are eager to inflict their particular brand of 'science' upon our children," writes Chris McGowan, "and this is where responsible scientists must draw the line. The creationists say that they want only 'equal time' to present their views, as a credible alternative to evolutionary theory, in the science classroom. The problem is, though, that what the creationists are offering is not science. They are selling good old-fashioned fundamentalist religion, all spruced up with scientific terminology and ideas to look like science. As part of their pressure sales technique, they allege that if you are not for them you must be against them, and therefore against God and Christianity. What is clear from reading their literature and attending their debates is that they do not represent mainstream Christianity, and that they are as unorthodox in their theology as they are in their science."

In this lively and controversial book, Chris McGowan, a vertebrate paleontologist, meets the creationists head on and systematically demolishes their arguments with geniune scientific evidence supporting evolutionary theory. For the layperson who may be bewildered by the creationist's misinterpretation - or even misrepresentation - of the facts, McGowan provides an easy-to-follow explanation of evolution that answers many common questions. While attacking the creationist's point of view with no holds barred, In the Beginning also offers a readable and well-illustrated introduction to evolution science. As a defense against the creationist threat to intellectual freedom and scientific truth, this book will attract a wide variety of interested readers.

"Lively and entertaining as well as informative." -Newsday