Darwin's Black Box (1996)

The argument for Intelligent Design based on the irreducible complexity of the cellular components of organisms. In other words, trial-and-error wouldn't work at the biochemical level of being, even though species evolution is perfectly plausible. Behe introduces the complexity needed to support his thesis while keeping the explanation simple enough for a well-educated layman to understand.
Although rebutted by evolutionists, I find his arguments and evidence worth consideration.
(See also Ridley's "Genome" for more insight into human biology.) ( )

An able argument in favor of intelligent design. Although the subject matter is biochemistry (and I didn't do that well in that class), Behe makes a profound case in a very absorbing and readable fashion. The thesis is that living cells contain very complex, "irreducibly complex" chemical systems, that work in ways that do not seem to allow any reasonable pathway for a Darwin-style, step-by-step evolution. Behe beats that drum until the reader does not want to hear any more, but the reason is that he is trying to build an unassailable fortress of arguments against those who, he knows, will attack any hint of intelligent design talk in the hallowed halls of science. ( )

Review from Publishers Weekly
Charles Darwin's theory of life's evolution through natural selection and random mutation fails to account for the origin of astonishingly complex biomolecular systems, argues Behe, associate professor of biochemistry at Lehigh University. In this spirited, witty critique of neo-Darwinian thinking, he focuses on five phenomena: blood clotting; cilia, oar-like bundles of fibers; the human immune system; transport of materials within the cell; and the synthesis of nucleotides, building blocks of DNA. In each case, he finds systems that are irreducibly complex?no gradual, step-by-step, Darwinian route led to their creation. As an alternative explanation, Behe infers that complex biochemical systems (i.e., life) were designed by an intelligent agent, whether God, extraterrestrials or a universal force. He notes that Francis Crick, co-discoverer of DNA's double-helix structure, proposed that life began when aliens from another planet sent a rocket ship containing spores to seed Earth. Perhaps Behe's plea for incorporating a "theory of intelligent design" into mainstream biology will spark interest. Illustrated. Translation and U.K. rights: Simon & Schuster.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

I feel it is important to understand both sides of the argument. This side gets an A for effort. There's nothing wrong with the biochemistry here but what shocks me is the incredible leap taken to explain its origins. The problem here is a lack of understanding of evolutionary theory and a refusal to accept it for very unscientific reasons. In other words, a refusal to really look at both sides. Since this is a scientific argument, let's ignore for a moment the religious implications and just focus on the fact that the biggest claim made here is really that evolutionary biology has not yet found evidence of every intermediate biochemical structure and system leading up to the present form. Rather than ask why and continue the research, we dismiss the theory of evolution all together? That's ridiculous and I don't even really think that's what this book is saying but there is an eagerness to make that what this book is saying. This book ends up saying that evolution as a system exists but only after the complex building blocks were laid out by a designer (not even necessarily the Judeo-Christian-Muslim God). I do think this book needs to be read and given a chance if only to criticize the content for its lack of understanding of the idea it claims to disprove and its frustrating lack of curiosity at what explanations may arise with future research in the field of biochemistry.
Oh and if you found this to be a difficult read in any way, I wouldn't go quoting its arguments as fact without having properly understood them and for that matter, properly understanding what evolutionary theory is.

Plausible argumentation, and easy to read for a non-scientist. I would wish he would update the book as this is from the 90's. ( )