The Enigma of Evolution and the Challenge of Chance

Evolution. It is not a question of if, but a question of how. Commonly accepted, Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection leaves unanswered some fundamental questions. How did life originate? How did the DNA code originate? How did multi-cellular life originate? How did sex originate? We all know about evolution, the brain-child of Charles Darwin which he announced in his celebrated book, On the Origin of Species. Although possibly the most famous book ever published, few have actually read it. Nevertheless, pretty much every educated person on the planet knows the name, Darwin, and most have at least a general notion of his theory of evolution. Evolution however is a broad and contentious topic that touches on very many aspects of human concern - from the origins of humanity down to the workings of the genetic code. This book sweeps across from the ancient Greeks to the latest ideas in genomics, and embraces it all. In the middle of this rich context sits Darwin and the machinations known as 'the delicate arrangement' - a curious and endlessly mysterious few weeks of events in the mid 19th century. The popular Darwin narrative is firmly established, but a few of the legs it stands on, indeed relies on, are not totally solid. Within the breath-taking survey of the many enigmas thrown up by the idea of evolution, this book also probes deeply into the puzzles within the delicate arrangement itself. Dr Carrington-Smith not only exposes the oddities but composes and presents her own, quite dramatic, tale of deceit and double dealing that explains them.

About the Author :
Denise Carrington-Smith was born in 1937. She spent her childhood in London, migrating to Australia with her young family in 1967. Having trained in yoga, which she taught for some years, Denise qualified as a Natural Therapist, specializing in homoeopathy. She lectured in herbalism, Bach Flower Remedies and homoeopathy before establishing the Victorian College of Classical Homoeopathy, of which she was Principal for a number of years. She also served as both State and Federal President of the Australian Federation of Homoeopaths. Recognizing the need for professional training in counselling, Denise qualified as a psychologist and also a hypnotherapist. Denise retired to Far North Queensland at the end of 1995, returning to University, where she took up the study of archaeology, receiving her doctorate in 2013. Denise has seven children, eighteen grandchildren and a smattering of great-grandchildren.

Review :
Read this book, and you may end up with even more questions about evolution, but you will have massively enriched your appreciation of its fundamental significance for humanity. - Derek Partridge, Professor Emeritus - University of Exeter, UK This fascinating volume augments and enhances the greatest story ever told - how humans evolved to become the world's most dominant species. - Peter Rymill, Historian and Geneticist.