This book really is a fantastic effort to communicate science, and how it backs up belief in God, despite the attempts of Richard Dawkins and crew to rubbish religion. I have read many popular level books on scientific topics, both from christian and non-christian authors in my time, but this is top notch! Edgar Andrews takes on the 'new atheists' and compares creeds by the scientific method across a wide spectrum of enquiry. He uses only the biblical God as his starting point, and demonstrates that observed fact fits his 'hypothesis' far more convincingly than any alternative. Fascinating facts and details are packed in like raisins in a Christmas cake. It is an excellent apologetics tool, but also a book to stir the soul as well as the mind towards our great and sovereign Creator. Certainly a good 'braintraining' work out to compensate for the excesses of the festive season! But don't equate challenging with tiresome. The 'busy mother of four' listed among the credits on the back cover found she could 'quite easily' grasp the concepts involved and intends it for 'the coffee table' when friends come round. I admire that woman. In my opinion as a lesser mortal there are some frankly tricky bits, but Andrews handles them as deftly and lightly as could be hoped for. After all some things will always remain difficult however clearly explained eg. quantum physics.
board beckoned. Unfortunately though, I still haven't managed to prise 'Who Made God' from Jeremy's hands. He thinks he can pacify me by occasionally reading aloud a few paragraphs out of it, but I'm afraid that doesn't suffice. The book I picked up was 'Anne Boleyn' in the Day One 'History Today' series. My interest in reading more about Anne Boleyn was sparked by reading 'Coronation of Glory', which is an award winning novel of the life of Lady Jane Grey by Deborah Meroff and a thoroughly gripping read. Anne Boleyn was the 2nd wife of Henry VIII and was unjustly executed for treason just 3 years after coming to the throne. Both books show just 
how complex this Tudor period of history is, not just politically but religiously. The twists and turns of the evangelical 'new learning' as it increased in prominence against a backdrop of Catholicism was due in part to the encouragement of people like Anne Boleyn. Encouragement of reformers like Cranmer, Bilney and Latimer, encouragement of the smuggling of Tyndale's New Testaments and even the gentle persuasion of the King of England to soften his view towards the Reformation (which after her death swung back to Catholicism again). It is challenging to read about the deaths of many who would not renounce their new found faith in the true and living God. This little book about Anne Boleyn gives a helpful insight into the beginnings of the Reformation in this country and the instrumental role someone in such a high position was able to play in the advancement of the Gospel.
Who Made God? by Edgar Andrews is another one that has been flying off the shelf and is next on my own reading list. The publishers claim that it is 'a really effective riposte to the "new atheism" of Richard Dawkins and others - gently humorous, highly readable, deeply serious, razor sharp, and written by an internationally respected scientist'. I have heard many positive reviews and look forward to getting my teeth into it.
I can't resist a plug here for one of the fiction books I have read this week... Guilty Verdict by Rosalie Battye. Rosalie is a self published author whose books are not well known (but should be). This book is a typical 'Famous Five' type story. A group of children determined to solve a crime get themselves into a spot of bother with the criminals but somehow still solve the mystery! Within the storyline the relativism of postmodernism is contrasted with the absolute truth of christianity (not in those terms - it might put the children off!). There are clear moral guidelines and the religious content is sound. At only £2.50 this book is a must for any children who like a good detective story.
