We live in an era marked by an accelerating rate of species death, but since the early days of the discipline, anthropology has contemplated the death of languages, cultural groups, and ways of life. The essays in this collection examine processes of-and our understanding of-extinction across various domains. The contributors argue that extinction events can be catalysts for new cultural, social, environmental, and technological developments-that extinction processes can, paradoxically, be productive as well as destructive. The essays consider a number of widely publicized cases: island species in the Galapagos and Madagascar; the death of Native American languages; ethnic minorities under pressure to assimilate in China; cloning as a form of species regeneration; and the tiny hominid Homo floresiensis fossils ("hobbits") recently identified in Indonesia. The Anthropology of Extinction offers compelling explorations of issues of widespread concern. -- Indiana University Press

In a time when creationist textbooks continue to appear in classrooms and the president of the United States encourages educators to "teach both sides" of the argument, Scientists Confront Creationism presents an accessible defense of evolution and a blueprint to save public education in this country from the dangers of pseudoscience. With sixteen essays from some of the most important advocates in the field, including Kevin Padian, John R. Cole, and Wesley R. Elsberry, Scientists Confront Creationism reveals the persuasive evidence for evolution and the bankruptcy of the creationists' claims. While telling the history of creationism in America, this powerful collection eviscerates "intelligent design" and reveals the newest tactics taken by antievolutionist proponents. As long as science requires public advocacy, this highly intelligent treasury of scholarship will remain an essential resource for students, teachers, and open-minded citizens

"A badly needed overview of the scientific view of evolution, explaining clearly and straightforwardly exactly what scientists think and why." —Isaac Asimov

"This scholarly, richly documented anthology is also a slashing, two-fisted attack on the scientific imbecility of today's . . . creationists. It won't alter the opinions of any leading creationists—their mind sets are unalterable—but for anyone open to reason and overwhelming evidence, it couldn't be more effective. Every Christian in American should read it with prayer and humility." —Martin Gardner

"A fascinating and timely book which demonstrates once and for all why 'scientific' creationism is not only bad science but also bad theology—and in the process spells out the principles that guide genuine discovery. Basically, an exposé of all pseudo-science." —John Pfeiffer, author of The Emergence of Man

"Scientific creationists have taken the educational world by surprise. Teachers and students need to know science's answers to the hundreds of specious, pseudo-scientific claims of modern creationism. The authors of Scientists Confront Creationism are all intimately familiar with the creationist controversy. Their contributions collectively dispel the cloud of creationist rhetoric hanging over major areas of astronomy, geology and biology." —Niles Eldredge, author of The Monkey Business

"This book systematically takes up the major creationist arguments and pulverizes them one-by-one. Most of the chapters will be readily accessible for laymen, all of them are informative, and some are inspiring. It should be read by every parent, teacher, school-board member, and legislator who has any doubts about where the truth lies in this debate." —N. H. Horowitz, California Institute of Technology