The Scopes Monkey Trial: A Headline Court Case

Discusses one of the most famous court cases in history, in which a Tennessee high school teacher was put on trial for teaching evolution.

Grade 8 Up-Solidly researched titles, written in a lively manner to draw and keep readers' attention. The authors examine the changing times and the clash of ideas behind both of these famous trials. DeVillers describes the financial and personal difficulties that plagued Brown throughout his life as well as his strong faith in the Bible that fueled his radical beliefs. Hanson presents an account of what was billed as the "trial of the century." In 1925, John T. Scopes challenged the Tennessee law against teaching the theory of evolution. Concluding chapters present court decisions since the 1960s dealing with the teaching of evolution in public schools. Each book contains black-and-white photographs and reproductions, discussion questions, and chapter notes. Both of these titles explore important chapters in the development of the United States and introduce young people to legal terminology and procedures.
Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Reviewed with Judy Monroe's The Sacco and Vanzetti Controversial Murder Trial.

Gr. 6-10. Should evolution be taught in schools? Did Sacco and Vanzetti get a fair trial? Part of the Headline Court Cases series, these two books combine details of the courtroom drama with arguments about the crucial social and legal issues that are still relevant today. In the Scopes "monkey" trial much of the excitement came from the clash in the courtroom between two famous lawyers, atheist Clarence Darrow (who defended the teacher Scopes without charge) and William Jennings Bryan. Hanson also relates the evolution/creationism debate to the First Amendment issues raised by the trial, especially the separation of church and state and the right to free speech. Monroe's book is stronger in style, focusing both on the violation of Sacco and Vanzetti's rights and on what are fair and just proceedings in any trial, from arrest to indictment and arraignment. She ends with several discussion questions that will stimulate classroom debate, questions of court proceedings and of guilt and innocence. Both books include full source notes by chapter, a glossary, a chronology, a brief bibliography, and Internet addresses. Hazel Rochman
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