BOOK REVIEEWS ELIZABETHCOWLES, DEPARTMENT EDITOR

$l gE i Sl Er [@ l l 13iE 1 !A of species presented) as well as notes to the text, a glossary, and a bibliography. vs. : An Introduction of the country where there is still an ongoing Dolphin Mysteries is awell-written, inter (2nd Edition). By Eugenie C. Scott. 2009. debate about restricting the teaching of evolu esting book on several levels. The authors' Greenwood Press. (ISBN 978-0-313-34427 tion. Luckily for us, we have Eugenie Scott's fascination with their subjects and respect 5). 351 pages. Hardback. $49.95 scholarly writing to support the teaching of for their habits and habitats are in evidence Eugenie Scott, Executive Director of the evolution while it continues being targeted by throughout the text.Much of dolphin behav National Center for Science Education, is the antievolution movement. ior remains mysterious; the authors vividly one of the leading authorities in discuss convey the difficulties of the study of swift ing the controversy around the teaching of moving underwater animals. However, many Jose Vazquez behaviors are so clearly described and illus evolution. The second edition of her book Master Teacher Science of trated that the reader feels as if real dolphins includes recent developments in the evo Liberal Studies Program lution/creationism controversy in schools, had swum across the pages of the book, New York University playing with seaweed, displaying affection such as the Dover trial. This book is hard New York, NY 10003 or aggression, and at times being as curious Downloaded from http://online.ucpress.edu/abt/article-pdf/71/7/436/55238/20565349.pdf by guest on 26 September 2021 ly an introduction; it is the equivalent of [email protected] an encyclopedia since she covers so much about the researchers as the humans are of ground, and includes plenty of reference them. The descriptions of behavior are par material. The book is divided into three parts ticularly interesting in the lesson of similar and 14 chapters. Part I, "Science, Evolution, ity in behavioral signals across species, and Religion, and Creationism," is an interesting how research on one species can enhance Dolphin Mysteries: Unlocking the Secrets of compendium of these four concepts and is the understanding of behavior in another. Communication. By Kathleen M. Dudzinski delicately balanced. Part II, "AHistory of the In terms of school-aged readership, however, and Toni Frohoff. 2008. Yale University Creationism/Evolution Controversy," takes Dolphin Mysteries has a separate, but just Press (ISBN 978-0-300-12112-4). 224 pages. the reader through a journey of conflicts as important, message about the process of Hardcover. $30.00. against evolution over several decades. Part field research, design of are scientific study, and the III, "Selections from the Literature," expands Dolphins perhaps on scientific, legal, and educational issues the most appealing ocean importance of intellectual regarding evolution and creationism. animal - their grace of collaboration. The exten sive support materials in The most effective sections of the book movement, the beauty of the notes and appendix are parts I and II,when Scott provides a thor their design, their obvious are even interesting to ough coverage of concepts and ideas that both intelligence and social inter read. There are few flaws sides of the controversy argue. She also gives action, and their apparent in this excellent book. much background information for those who joy of play all contribute to The underlying emotional are not up-to-date on the controversy so they centuries of human fasci appeal of dolphins that can analyze why creationism does not have nation. This appeal makes inherently leads to the a place in our science classrooms. Part III Dolphin Mysteries inher risk of anthropomorphiz seems disjointed and I kept wondering why ently interesting, but the ing, is, for the most part, some excerpts of legal briefs and media clips true strength of the book carefully avoided. were included and what the take-home mes lies in that it iswell written sage was after reading those. Nonetheless, in and full of information. This excellent book is 'this section of the book, she includes a deft Dolphin Mysteries is well worth reading by any description of legal and educational issues co-authored by Kathleen student or teacher interest that any science teacher should be aware of. Duzinski and Toni Frohoff, both research ed in marine mammals, the study of animal There are some illustrations throughout the ers specializing in dolphins and dolphin behavior, methodologies of field research, book, as well as tables and graphs providing communication. They write in one voice, but and the processes of scientific research and much evidence about the issues discussed in indicate when opinions or observation come thought. various chapters. One of the most effective from an individual. Descriptions are supple chapters is titled "Neocreationism," in which mented by photographs and expertly-drawn Cate Hibbitt the author describes the origins of the intel in figures by John Norton. The line drawings Science Teacher ligent design (ID) movement. She analyzes in in particular are excellent conveying dolphin Lincoln School much detail the arguments made by Michael posture and behavior described in the text. 301 Butler Avenue Behe, an ardent supporter of ID, and provides Chapters include "ADolphin's Life" (basic Providence RI 02809 very elegant explanations to disprove ID given biology, anatomy, and social behavior of dol [email protected] the unscientific arguments on which it is based phins), "The Expressive Dolphin" (dolphin and the lack of empirical data (pp. 122-130). communication between individuals and ELIZABETH COWLES teaches freshman biology, bio groups); "Eavesdropping" (techniques used Science teachers at both the pre-college chemistry, and entomology at Eastern Connecticut State and college levels should benefit from the by researchers to study dolphins and dolphin University. She has taught at the undergraduate and grad wealth of information presented by Scott. communication); and chapters on human/ uate college levels for over 20 years. Her interests include Although during some sections, it lacks dolphin interactions, including discussion of insect toxicology, protein characterization, and astrobiol momentum and the style becomes monoto conservation issues. The book also contains ogy. Cowles holds degrees in biology and biochemistry from Cornell University and Michigan State University. Her nous, particularly in section III, I enjoyed three appendices ("A Behavioral Guide to address isDepartment of Biology, ECSU, 83 Windham St., reading this book. It should be required read Dolphin Signals," "Etiquette for Interaction Willimantic,CT 06226; e-mail: [email protected]. ing for school district administrators in parts with Dolphins," and a list of scientific names

THE AMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER VOLUME 71, NO. 7, SEPTEMBER 2009 a