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Showing reviews 81-85 of 85
 Setting a movement on its feet and on its way July 2, 2009
Samuel M. Randolph
34 out of 46 found this review helpful
Written in a clear and economical style with the hitting power that a seasoned debater brings to his work, this is a book that anyone who wishes to gain a solid update and reference tool on DNA and the emerging ID movement will want to own.
In my own research to understand the massive and complex mechanisms of neuroplasticity that make human handedness reversals possible in children, and many years later, a return from that state in adults, I have been driven to look at Intelligent Design as the best possible explanation for this phenomenon Hidden Handedness.
Meyers opens up a world of understanding that is largely closed to the public, by producing a work of synthesis and argument that is as powerful as Darwin's, and one that is based on current science. Meyers has produced a game changer, a book that can win minds and energize a lasting concensus.
Irrefutable scientific evidence for ID June 30, 2009
D. Johnson (Wilmington, NC)
37 out of 53 found this review helpful
A fantastic book that clearly answers expressed objections to ID as science. It presents arguments in a very readable form, in a journey that considers the known speculative scenarios from chance to necessity (law, biological predestination, self-organization, etc.) for the origin of the information in life The biological details and complexities are presented in a manner that can be followed and appreciated by most people. Meyer builds the case that ID is real science, based on empirical evidence and established scientific principles (and supported by peer-reviewed literature). He also makes predictions of findings that would support ID.
For me, there was little new technical information increase, since my recent book (Probability's Nature and Nature's Probability: A Call to Scientific Integrity) covered much of the material. I didn't see any errors or misrepresentations. I did find the transcription process a fascinating read, with the tRNA, mRNA, and ribosome details (with numerous proteins involved). The book also gave me a new appreciation for the philosophy of science, and a clearer framework for historical science (e.g. abductive reasoning).
Only those philosophically opposed to design would be able to dismiss the clear scientific evidence that design is the only reasonable cause of life's complex specified information. This book is a "must-read" for anyone within the debate.
There aren't enough superlatives to describe this book June 30, 2009
Vincent Prezioso (United States)
52 out of 66 found this review helpful
Since there are so many aspects to this book that one may venture into, instead of overwhelming you with them, I am going to keep this review very brief.
What makes this book so interesting is that this represents the culmination of one man's insatiable quest to determine the origin of life.
In this book, he exhaustively delves into every scientific facet from the past as well as what the best contemporary scientists have to offer in order to solve this enigma.
Meyer's analysis, with DNA being the key, comes to only one inescapable conclusion that points to an intelligent activity.
I have read many excellent books on Intelligent Design, yet this book has a certain quality that outshines them all in its depth and persuasiveness.
If you want to be well informed by reading only one book on the Origin of Life or Intelligent Design Theory, this one will suffice. I guarantee it.
Just as an aside, I found his account of the first meeting with William Dembski quite amusing.
Magnificent in dealing with the Origin of Life from an ID Perspective June 29, 2009
Mindy
66 out of 86 found this review helpful
Dr. Meyer also debunks all of the issues raised by Neo Darwinists such as, Who Designed the Designer, Hume's Objection, Bad Design, and the Argument from Ignorance in his own uniquely comprehensive way.
The book goes into the entire history of the accounts of past Origin of Life theories leading up to the present and the author adds many anecdotes especially from his years at Cambridge, which make it a very delightful personalized account.
He takes on Self Organization and Biochemical Predestination and the RNA World in a detailed way with deft and tenacity.
The book is relentless in its detailed approach to the definition of science, theories of information, theistic implications, chance and pattern recognition. It goes into topics such as ID Predictions, Testability, ID Research, Genomics, Multiverse Cosmology, Natural Law, I could go on and on. It simply covers all the bases.
It also discusses the Dover Decision and the fallacy of why ID is not considered science in that regard, by giving six solid and thorough reasons why ID is a science.
My favorite quote in the book states:
"Premise One: Despite a thorough search, no material causes have been discovered that demonstrate the power to produce large amounts of specified information."
"Premise Two: Intelligent causes have demonstrated the power to produce large amounts of specified information."
"Conclusion: Intelligent design constitutes the best, most causally adequate, explanation for the information in the cell."
Ah, but he is well aware of what critics may say so he goes on to explain the significance of what future inquires may uncover since he acknowledges that the pursuit of science never stops.
In short, I found this book to have more than exceeded my expectations and consider it an absolute must-read for anyone interested in the Origin of Life issue, as well as Intelligent Design.
a goldmine of information June 29, 2009
Darwin Researcher (London)
130 out of 154 found this review helpful
This book contains a goldmine of information in 612 pages and almost 100 pages of notes and references. Meyer, who did his PhD in the origin of life area at Cambridge University, effectively deals with many of the critiques of Intelligent Design in a very readable but convincing way. The many diagrams included are very helpful in communicating to laypersons the complex ideas involved in the origins controversy. Meyer covers the many failed attempts to produce life in the laboratory, including the Miller-Urey experiment, and shows that the design of life leads to one conclusion, intelligence. He also covers the question "is ID science" showing that the word science is now used to distort the debate, not by proving ID erroneous, but by excluding it from the discussion. My favorite definition of science is "science is what scientists do" but the historical definition "the search for, and synthesis of, empirical knowledge" is more specific. As to predictability, Meyer also gives several examples where ID had made predictions that turned out to be correct. No doubt some of the material in this book was from Meyer's Cambridge PhD thesis rewritten in first person and in laymen's terms for this book. The opponents of ID will, no doubt, attempt to respond to this trailblazing work and all I can say is I wish them luck because they will need it. The book also gives much history of the ID movement found no where else, and an excellent response to the many false claims about the movement. No one can claim to be informed about ID without reading this excellent book written by an insider.
Showing reviews 81-85 of 85
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