Darwin's Great-Great Grandson to Speak in Nashville

In 2005, accomplished screenwriter Chapman (Runaway Jury), the great-great-grandson of Charles Darwin, sat in a Pennsylvania courtroom to witness Darwinism (and science) on trial. His account of the proceedings provides an irreverent yet insightful understanding of the conflict between evolution and creationism/intelligent design. It explores constitutional limits on religious education, the adversarial justice system, the signal importance of individualism in American life, and, most of all, how the deeply rooted fear of all that we do not understand may undermine our cherished freedoms, notably, the freedom to worship—or not to worship—as we see fit. His unerring and easy-to-understand narration of this modern Scopes Monkey Trial, accompanied by his brilliant (and often hilarious) analysis of quite complex testimony, results in a valuable guide to future educational controversies and the role courts will play in resolving issues affecting the most fundamental element of our way of life: our children’s schooling. This book should be read by all high school students and their parents, and all who are concerned with religious freedom or freedom from religion.

Tuesday, April 17 7PM
1904 Fatherland St.
Nashville, TN 37206
615-228-1570


Please join us for an informal reception for
Matthew Chapman
Great-great grandson of Darwin
and author of the newly released book
40 Days and 40 Nights: Darwin, Intelligent Design, God, OxyContin®, and Other Oddities on Trial in Pennsylvania
crafted while covering the Dover, PA “intelligent design” trail for Harper’s Bazaar.

Hosts: Michael Sims, Michele Flynn, Collier Goodlett and Sally Schloss
Offerings of wine and finger-food appreciated.

Matthew will present a short overview of his book, engage in an informal discussion facilitated by Michael Sims, author of Darwin’s Orchestra, respond to questions from the audience, be available to sign books, and generally just meet and greet in a relaxed atmosphere.

Copies of 40 Days and 40 Nights available for sale by Matthew.
RSVP’s appreciated.
228-1570


Library Journal says 40 Days and 40 Nights is a "brilliant (and often hilarious) analysis of quite complex testimony, [that] results in a valuable guide to future educational controversies...This book should be read by all high school students and their parents, and all who are concerned with religious freedom or freedom from religion."

Chapman, Matthew. 40 Days and 40 Nights: Darwin, Intelligent Design, God, OxyContin®, and Other Oddities on Trial in Pennsylvania.
Collins: HarperCollins. Apr. 2007. c.288p. ISBN 0-06-117945-0 [ISBN
978-0-06-117945-7]. $25.95. SOC SCI

— Gilles Renaud, Ontario Court of Justice, Cornwall