BOOK: 40 Days and 40 Nights - Matthew Chapman

Title: 40 Days and 40 Nights
Author: Matthew Chapman
Genre: Non fiction; Courtroom report
Publisher: HarperCollins books (2007)
Pages: Hardcover, 272
Language: English
Rating: 7/10
Summary: Following the case of Kitzmiller v. Dover in which a group of parents sued the Dover highschoolboard for wanting to put Intelligent Design on the science curriculum, Matthew Chapman talks to people on both sides of the argument. He also compares the case to the Scopes trial from 1925 when a teacher was put on trial for teaching Evolution.

Review
Written like a movie script with extensive descriptions of appearances and backgrounds of all the people involved, this is a fascinating read. In- and outside the courtroom Matthew Chapman gives both defendants and opponents ample opportunity to talk about their point of view, even if his own opinion is assumed and known. He is after all the great great grandson of Charles Darwin, a fact he has to mention at every opportunity. Obviously he isn't trying to be objective about the issue and there is more than just a little arrogance shining through, but to his credit he doesn't hide it.
What I found most surprising about this case and book was how little differences there are between the people involved. They may be on opposite sides of the argument, but their backgrounds are eerily alike. Being an avid atheist and supporter of the Theory of Evolution, I had hoped to be able to point and laugh at the losers. But I couldn't.
Matthew Chapman makes a great case in favour of keeping an open mind. I just hope the people who believe in Intelligent Design learned that as well.