Some Favorite Books Described:
Here is the beginnings of a reading list of some of my favorite books that you might enjoy. These are books related to science which look at science as a human endeavor, address ethical and philosophical issues, the private lives of scientists, the science/religion interface, and a variety of other categories.
Darwin's Black Box, by Michael Behe. A book accessible to the layman written by a biochemist which makes a compelling case for intelligent design in the origin of living systems. His arguments are based on the irreproducible complexity of biochemical systems seen at the cellular level, i.e., there seem to be no gradual steps available to get from the primordial soup to complex structures found in the most simple life forms. Hence, natural selection would have nothing to operate with.
The Double Helix, by James Watson. Relates the human drama leading up to the discovery of the three-dimensional structure of DNA.
Cantor's Dilemma, by Carl Djerassi. An insider look at big science. A fictional story of the intrigue and questionable ethics surrounding a Noble prize winning research project. Written by the notable award-winning chemist who invented "the pill".
Darwin on Trial, by Philip Johnson. A Berkeley professor gives an in-depth critique of the current state of Darwinism. This is a real eye-opener.
Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis. An Oxford literary genius and author makes a most compelling case for Christianity. The appeal is to intellectuals. My conversion came as a result of reading this book.
A Short History of Chemistry, by Isaac Asimov. This is a really fast read by a good writer who brings alive the history of chemistry. This spurred my own research efforts recently.
On Chemistry, by Isaac Asimov. A collection of essays on chemistry written for even a beginning student to understand. Fascinating things here.
The Soul of Science: Christian Faith and Natural Philosophy, by Nancy R. Pearcey and Charles B. Thaxton. This book argues that the current alliance between atheism and science is a temporary aberation and that, far from being inimical to science, the Christian worldview has played and will continue to play an important nurturing role in the growth of scientific understanding.
The Lives of a Cell, by Lewis Thomas. Subtitled 'Notes of a Biology Watcher', this delightful little book gives brief luminous glimpses into the many facets of our biological cosmos.
A Skeleton in God's Closet, by Paul L. Maier. Written by a Christian, this is a fictional novel in which archeologists discover alledged scientific proof that the resurrection of Jesus is a hoax. It then deals with the effects in various corners of our Western culture.
Reason in the Balance, by Phillip Johnson. This Berkeley law professor makes a convincing case for the liberation of our culture from naturalism's establishment philosophy which rules God out of law, science, and our schools.
Why America Doesn't Work, by Charles Colson. This former Watergate player and later born-again Christian tells how the decline of the work ethic in America is hurting your family and your future - and what you can do about it.
The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. An Oxford literary scholar creates a world of his own, Middle Earth. Perhaps the greatest fiction novel of our century.
The Professor and the Madman. A curious yet true tale of the making of the Oxford English Dictionary.
The Masters, by C. P. Snow. An inside look at life in a Cambridge University college. A study of the various ways people exert power and influence in the context of the election of the college master.
Uncle Tungsten, by Oliver Sacks. Memories of a chemical boyhood.
Department of Chemistry