What reviewers are saying about By Design or by Chance?

“While the controversy is far from over, By Design Or By Chance provides a fair introduction to the arguments on all sides. As O'Leary points out, society is slowly undergoing a paradigm shift. We'd be well advised to bone up on the latest information, and fast … ”

– from a review by Kathy Shaidle

Toronto Star (May 29, 2004)

“Canadian science journalist Denyse O’Leary’s By Design or by Chance? is a unique contribution to the literature. Aiming for the general reader, she covers the long history of the “growing controversy of life in the universe with a generous supply of historical sidebars … all presented in a fast-moving, journalistic style.”

– from a review by James Kushiner

Touchstone (July/August 2004)

“Written in clear, punchy prose, this book takes an objective approach aimed at the undecided, so it is a good book to hand to friends who are not Christian. A former textbook writer, O'Leary maintains an informative tone, and includes lots of little text boxes with interesting tidbits.”

- Nancy Pearcey, author or Total Truth [http://www.awayofthinking.com/total_truth.html]

“For anyone wanting a reliable and accessible introduction to the modern controversies over origins, this is now unquestionably the book to have to hand. It is also the kind of winsome and captivating book that ought to be in every school and college library. It is the book for parents to give to their teenage and college children—but only after they have first dipped into it themselves. They will probably want to buy another copy.”

– from a review by Arthur Jones

Third Way (Summer 2004)

Recommended for libraries …

“Recommended for public libraries as a highly readable book for the non-scientist that engages both sides of the issue of the origins of life in the universe. The timelines, tables, focus boxes and definitions, as well as print and Internet resources enable both the average reader and specialist to look at the issues. Seventy-eight pages of notes make this a title worthy of inclusion in academic, research, and seminary libraries.” (5 star rating)

from a review by Dr. Leroy Hammerding, Director, Fort Myers Beach Public Library

Christian Library Journal, November 2004

From the religious press …

“Award-winning journalist Denyse O’Leary guides us through the often bewildering, jargon-laden history of the controversy, in a voice that is both easy to understand and engaging. … This book is a good resource forall who want to familiarize themselves with the lingo and subtleties of the isuses. Designed for self-learning, it would not be out of place ina university or college required reading list. ”

– from a review by Rowena Chow

Faith Today (September/October 2004)

“Toronto author O'Leary's book is breathtaking in its sweep—from the findings of physics to legal proceedings, from Epicurus to Einstein, from biography to information theory. She has a gift for linking it all together, rare in this era of extreme compartmentalization. … ”

– from a review by Gavin C. Miller

Catholic Register (October 5 2004)

“By Design or by Chance is a fresh intellectual breeze, clearing away much of the irrational smog and dust obscuring core issues surrounding the origin of life. … Any pastor who wishes to invoke ID in a sermon should first be required to read By Design or By Chance.”

– from a review by Timothy Standish

Ministry Magazine, December 2004

“With her latest book, veteran science writer Denyse O’Leary, a committed Christian, explains the issues in a way non-specialists can understand and offers even-handed analysis of the debates that often shed more heat than light.”

– unsigned review

Christian Current (July 2004)

“In By Design or by Chance? the reader is lured into a detailed discussion of the current issues and debates surrounding the origin of life. Denyse O’Leary provides a great deal of information on Darwinian evolution, theistic evolution, and creationism. By the end of the book, the careful reader will not only have a basic grasp of these beliefs, but can probably discern that the author favours Intelligent Design (ID).”

– from a review by Wayne Miller

The Canadian Lutheran (September 2004)

“This book is strongly researched, clearly written, and as up to date as current news stories and cutting-edge views of eminent scientists on this topic.”

– from a review by Barbara Brennan

Maranatha News, June 2004

“What we really need is someone to thoughtfully sort out the various perspectives for the layperson, defining terms and explaining positions using a systematic balanced approach. Enter Denyse O’Leary”

– from a review by Burl Jantzen

Sunday Magazine(Vancouver Island), July 2004

From Amazon …

“I estimate that about 3 to 4 books about the creation-evolution controversy are published each week. Many are by non-scientists in favor of creationism of some type, and most repeat the same information. Many are not worth reading. This is a very different book on this topic.This book does not argue for one side, as most books on this topic do, but objectively discusses all sides of the controversy.”

– The Professor

“In the introduction of her exceptionally researched book, Denyse O'Leary asks this bold question about the fate of Darwin's legacy (see review title). Though the presumption might seem unlikely given that Darwinism is the established theory in both mainstream science and the public school system, she reminds the reader that Darwinism would not be the first casuality of changing paradigms in history (Newton --> Einstein). Given the reaction from the Darwinist camp, I'm not so sure this is going to happen any time soon, but the fierce reactions they have given are perhaps an indication that things aren't so solid in evolutionary theory as most of us were taught!”

– White Rider

Quad Cities USA

“Reading Denyse O'Leary's By Design or by Chance was a particular treat for me because I myself have written on the same subject during the evolution/education debate in Kansas in 2000 and have met and interviewed many of the luminaries she quotes in her pages. Having followed some of the literature of the evolution/creationism/intelligent design debate since then, I was familiar with the context of her subject and the direction this controversy has taken. I must say, I've never seen a clearer and more comprehensive, yet accessible, discussion of the who, what, when, where, why and how of the topic offered in such an entertaining and palatable presentation than By Design or by Chance puts forward. It's both an excellent starting point for the novice as well as a handy resource for the professional seeking additional facts. It quite literally is a book with something for everyone.”

– Mark Scheel

Mission, KS

From creationists …

“… a hard hitting, thoroughly documented work written in a journalistic style. … Unlike many treatments of intelligent design, Ms. O’Leary devotes a whole section of her book to the young earth creation model (YEC). There is no doubt that the author did her homework.”

– from a review by Margaret Helder

Creation Science Dialogue (October 2004)