By Nicole Godfrey

Originally published in Pleasant Living magazine, 2008

Even non-scientists want to know the answer to that burning question, “How did we get here?” and many seek the answer in the ever-expanding matrix of the Internet, only to give up after facing endless Web sites flooded with complex mathematical formulas. Everyone has at some point thrown up their hands in frustration searching for answers to the Big Question. This very challenge prompted Floyd Glidewell to write his recently published book, Settled Science after his daughter shared her frustrations in trying to learn about evolution on her own. Armed with a degree in chemistry and a substantial background in science, Glidewell tried to explain it to her. When her face went blank, as many faces do when hearing scientific explanations, he knew he had to do better. Next step: he sat down and wrote a reader-friendly, jargon-free book to make learning science easy.

Scientific hot topics hit the news every day:

• Stem-cell research
• Cloning
• New pharmaceuticals
• DNA forensics
• Global warming

Many hear the scientific terms used, but don’t understand them beyond what they learned in high school biology class. Settled Science intends to change that by taking readers slowly into the deep waters of the Big Bang Theory, DNA, and natural selection—starting at the shallow end. Nothing in the book is beyond the average reader. After learning the basics about the evolution of plants, animals, fungi, and DNA, Settled Science gives readers a sense that they have done something good for themselves and for the world.

In the book, chapters are broken down into twelve easy sections such as “Big Bang,” “Galaxies and Stars,” and the “DNA Molecule,” each tackling different scientific issues and theories, examining them under modern light. Though the book is mainly about science, Glidewell uses history and current events to make the information more relevant, and to help the reader understand how science connects to everyday life. Although Settled Science is mainly a discussion of the past, Glidewell makes predictions and theorizes about the effects that humans and other life will have on the planet over time.

Of course, evolution is controversial and a tricky subject in today’s world, especially in debates about teaching evolution versus intelligent design in school classrooms. Glidewell believes evolution is extremely important to teach in schools today because it is based in fact. He does not oppose teaching religious theories, but argues that they should be labeled as such, and that they do not belong in a science classroom. Teaching evolution is not the only way that government and politics have been involved in science. The field of science and government have always challenged each other, as science has often pushed the envelope of what the public will view as morally acceptable. Stem-cell research is one such issue that has challenged the courts and morality. When asked about his views on the relationship between science and government, Glidewell warns:

“Watch out for agendas. Individuals will slant a conclusion to help their case. Governments should not restrain science, but discourage unethical practices and bring them to the public eye.”

Settled Science is an entertaining way to learn about a field that is part of the everyday lives of all who live on planet Earth. Want to learn about evolution and a host of scientific topics? Pick up this book and understand—without a struggle.