Edmund Russell Evolutionary History Summary

Evolutionary Unreliable History

History books are boring. When a child is asked if he or she wants to read a history book, the answer received will most likely be no. When asked about princess books or super hero books, there might be a yes given. But when is the line drawn on to what is a historical book and what is not? History books have obvious characteristics: indexes, facts about past events, a lot of sources, etc. Since these characteristics are what makes a book a historical text, then Evolutionary History by Edmund Russell should be a historical text. Right? Wrong. Evolutionary History by Edmund Russell is used to convince readers that evolutionary history is, in fact, a field of history and science combined, by using logical historical

Although choicely favored, complete objectivity is quite hard to achieve and is often never found, therefore historians remain slightly subjective but revolve around the factual information of the time, place, or event they are writing about. In Evolutionary History, Russell shows his subjectivity more than he ought to through his use of historical facts to reinforce his thesis on evolution. Russell’s viewpoint on evolution is completely subjective. Chapter 2 of Russell’s book is solely set on learning and persuading you with facts that evolution is an everyday happening. He begins the chapter with a quotation of common perceptions of evolution. Specifically the phrase, “’That is not real evolution’” (Russell 6), and proceeds to say, “If you have similar questions or objections, this chapter is for you” (Russell 6). Evolution is an arguable topic that brings debate in the United States as well as other nations. Scientifically, proof of evolution can be brought about in experiments as well as Russell’s favorite, history. Religious views is the consideration that forces this book into the category of subjective. If every aspect of evolution is undeniable, like many events in historical texts, then it would be a closer relative, and maybe even a historical text. Because Evolutionary History fails to limit the subjectivity shown through the topics presented in the text, it remains in the category of an

Historical texts, unless a primary source, do no incorporate personal stories of the author or editor. Russell, however, uses this to supplement the argument he is proposing in the chapter. “When I was thirteen, my grandfather died of a heart attack. He had entered the hospital for treatment of a prostate problem. Once there, he picked up an infection that lead to heart failure. His death saddened me, of course, but it also puzzles me. I had seen wonder drugs such as penicillin cure ailments plaguing members of my family, so I could not understand why similar drugs would not have controlled my grandfather’s infection” (Russell 1). Going on, he explains how the story of his grandfather may be an example of Evolutionary History’s argument. Although more interesting to read, a personal family experience to supplement his text would not be something found in a regular historical text. Comparisons to personal experiences are found in critiques or