"Deeply informed and substantive, this is a trenchant examination of the contested terrain where science, religion, and politics battle." - Publishers Weekly
"A significant contribution to the history of American religion and popular culture as well as the long-standing disputes over science and religion in the American context. One of the great virtues of this work is that its author is eminently fair in his treatment of the book's most notable figures, drawing the reader's attention to both their academic accomplishments and shortcomings. Because the public disputes over evolution in the American context have often been marked by vitriol and ridicule, with a tendency to label and dismiss, Howell's presentation is a breath of fresh air. There is simply not a better historical account of the modern Intelligent Design movement." - Francis J. Beckwith, Professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies, Baylor University.
"A must-read for anyone wanting to understand the development of Intelligent Design Theory and its political and cultural relevance. This is an excellent comprehensive account the movement and its thought. It will be required reading for anyone interested in ID." - Bethany Sollereder, Associate Professor in Science and Religion, University of Oxford
"C. W. Howell's brilliant treatment of the Intelligent Design movement is a must-read for anyone interested in the particular and peculiar way science and religion interact in the United States. This book is much more than meets the eye - Howell presents a cultural and political analysis through the historical lens of ID's emergence and denouement. The reader learns that the anti-expertise threads in American culture have been more recently woven into "designer science," yet they represent an old yarn." - Greg Cootsona, author of Negotiating Science and Religion in America
"Howell not only pioneers new ground with his treatment of ID (Intelligent Design) but also embeds the study in a much larger story. This book is written with lapidary clarity, without a trace of religious studies or science jargon, and spiced with memorable quotations from the primary sources…. Both specialists and non-specialists in the study of religion and science will gain a working knowledge of the main intellectual issues at stake in the combat between creationists and ID folk. The word 'brilliant' is overworked in book reviews and blurbs, but sometimes no other word will do." - Grant Wacker, Duke Divinity School
