Evolution and the fossil record

This booklet answers the question: How do scientists know that fossils are millions of years old, instead of thousands of years? It unifies geoscience, fossils, and radiometric dating, doing so in a single sitting of 36 attractive pages.Although the science is presented briefly and simply, it is never simplistic or dumbed-down. The authors show that the ideas underlying evolution and the dating of geologic strata are not "over your head."One of its best features is the way it explains the concept of "theory" within the sciences. The authors explicitly challenge the "it's just a theory" retort of the science killers out there. They do this without mentioning Intelligent Design and Creationism by name, therefore refusing to dignify them as proper challenges to evolutionary and geologic theory.This booklet was probably conceived of as an antidote to the rash of anti-science in America, but it responds the problem in a very positive way. It is never combative, but it is very enthusiastic. These authors are anxious to share this knowledge with curious non-scientists. Evolution and the Fossil Record, an eye-catching booklet produced by the American Geological Institute in cooperation with the Paleontological Society, aims to help the general public gain a better understanding of one of the fundamental underlying concepts of modern science. This booklet has many colorful photos, drawings, and illustrations which complement the authors' conversational style as they discuss geologic time; change through time; Darwin's theory of evolution; evolution as a mechanism for change; the nature of species; the nature of theory; paleontology, geology, and evolution; and determining the age of fossils and rocks. Four "case study" examples from the fossil record - evolution of vertebrate legs, evolution of birds, evolution of mammals, and evolution of whales - are presented to provide a time perspective for understanding the evolution of life on Earth. This non-technical introduction to evolution contains straightforward definitions as well as discussions of complex ideas.