In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood (7th Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Just a bit ahead of it's time
Review: Brown's book - based on his hydroplate theory - may be the most workable concept to date on creation. Both the creationist and naturalist schools of thought have unexplainable processes and historical gaps in their theories, leaving the conclusions drawn from the observable evidence very subject to the presuppositions brought to the table.

As an educator, I find Brown's method of explanation far superior to most science taught in schools - for he not only states his position based on the evidence, but often lists opposing and contradictory concepts.

Most objections to his book are from those who refuse to follow the evidence into the possibility of an extra-natural dimension, by itself an anti-scientific position, resulting in the ignoring of unresolvable contradictions inherent in the concept of evolution.

Brown has taught the slowing of the light/energy field for years and been dismissed for so doing, but recent studies (eg. Moffatt project, U of T) have placed this is the naturalist mainstream. C14 in Diamonds are naturalistically impossible, but predictable by his theory, and found in nature. The laboratory experiments reducing isochronometers to mere hundreds of years are also predictable from his theory and are just beginning to appear in science.

Like those that threw off the "mainstream scientific" false concepts of flat earth, spontaneous generation, etc - Brown follows in the footsteps of many of the great men of science by allowing that there are more forces at work in our universe than simply naturalistic ones, and it is only by allowing science to expand into the possibility of a supernatural origin to the universe that we can truly understand what it is and how it functions. Anything less circumscribes science and diminishes scientific understanding.

Brown appears to cling to a 6000 year earth - not a biblical concept but well entrenched - but in any event his theory still works well with an earth age of 15000 years or so.

All in all a valuable book to read regardless of your position. Brown's background as a MIT professor, and Earth Sciences professor at NASA give him a unique perspective not available to many, including his critics.

I have owned almost every edition and await eagerly the next.

Rating:
Summary: The Principia of Geology
Review: Creation Science is a growing field today. The more popular theories such as the Canopy Model and Catastrophic Plate Tectonics have been at the forefront of Creation Science for many years now. In this book, Dr. Walt Brown introduces an alternative model called "Hydroplate Theory".

According to this theory, the Earth was once filled with high-pressure salt water under its crust, and then exploded about 4,300 years ago. The immense pressure created a crack on the earth's surface, releasing millions of tons of debris/water which flooded the planet's surface and forever changed the landscape. The author presents the model quite convincingly, with comprehensive documentation of related scientific theories and laws for the layman. In my opinion, When compared to other creation models, the Hydroplate Theory stands out as creation's best candidate to battle the Theory of Evolution in the scientific arena and in the minds of the youth.

If one has never been introduced to the creationist view, this book is a perfect starting point. In the endnotes and references, Dr. Walt Brown makes mention of the works of other great creationists such as Henry Morris, Bill Cooper and Barry Setterfield. Additional research can be conducted from thereon, providing the reader with enough reference materials to build a thorough understanding of Creation Science.

In many ways, Dr. Walt Brown revives the classical formula of using Theology for scientific research, in the same manner that Isaac Newton pursued science with Biblical scholarship, which resulted to the single greatest scientific work: The Principia. Many would argue that this methodology is unacceptable in the age of computers and genetics, but then again this very same system was employed in the age of discovery in the 16th and 17th centuries, before the Theory of Evolution was popularized by Charles Darwin. This does not mean, however, that Dr. Walt Brown supported his theories solely by using Scriptures. On the contrary, much of the content were supported by evidences in nature, as supported by conventional science.

I understand that people tend to be skeptical of the unknown, especially of things that were not taught in the academic institutions where evolution is widely promoted (and creationism widely dismissed). But regardless of your beliefs, this book will serve as an INVALUABLE REFERENCE to both Evolutionists and Creationists, just so one would be aware of the key scientific evidences and issues presented in the Hydroplate Theory.

Rating:
Summary: Very readable resource of scientific evidence and reasonin
Review: Dr. Walter T. Brown, a retired MIT Prof, retired full Colonel from the Air Force, has written a book that is one of the best compilations of scientific evidences and reasonings regarding the origins question.One of the books great features is that it is about 30% quotes from well known and regarded scientists and publications. Another great feature is the surprisingly simple and logical explanations of current geophysical attributes that haven't been solidly explained by any current threories.Dr. Brown plainly outlines how that from a scienific point of view organic macroevolution lacks necessary physical evidence. Even more seriously, it lacks any concrete plausible mechanisms, as many of the people quoted in his book readily say.This book will give any open reader more than adequate material to really think about. To the closed reader, the sources quoted would be almost heroes, so he/she would really have a hard time arguing. I would especially encourage all opponents to an extranatural origin model to read this book. I would also highly engcourage any seeking student to read this to find out what science really knows, or professes to know. This book has had a tremendous impact on my life, especially my thought process and the way I view earth. This book will definitely make you think and possibly question what you believe and know, or think you know..

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, compelling, refreshing.
Review: Having read this book through several times, it is quite obvious that Dr. Brown is a first class scientist. Being a Ph.D. scientist from UC Berkeley (chemistry) myself, this book was extremely refreshing in its originality and complexity. I am quite certain that the established dogmatic priests of plate tectonics and uniformitarianism will use bombast and demagoguery to refute what Dr. Brown posits. But overall, his research is thorough, his thoughts are well articulated and his Hydroplate Theory is refreshing and brilliant. Bravo! A MUST read. When does the 8th edition arrive?

Rating:
Summary: The Best Ever!
Review: The truly phenomenal aspect of this book is that Dr. Brown (with a PhD from MIT no less!!!) does not resort to the Bible constantly to back up his claims of "creation" science. This is a science textbook, not a "religious" book. Obviously, religion does play a part in it, but not =nearly= as much as one might expect.
It is obvious to anyone with an open mind that this book is a major milestone in understanding so many aspects of this planet that have, until now, been unexplained and =inexplicable=!
His logic is flawless, his knowledge prodigious, and his book verges on being irrefutable.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Brilliant Writing!
Review: This book discusses the biblical flood through the hyroplate theory which I had never heard of before. This theory seemed far-fetched to me at first. However, even today, there is evidence of water ten miles down that you can check up on by using the references. Once the assumptions are laid down Dr. Brown tells us what would happen subsequently through the laws of physics. I suggest that you give yourself plenty of time to read each part thoroughly. You will cheat yourself if you try to speed through too quickly.
This book points out how difficult a job the evolutionists have in explaining how this universe, our solar system and planet came about. The facts of the way our universe is laid out just will not cooperate. You will almost begin to feel sorry for evolutionists.
I also find it appalling, if true, that it is so difficult for Dr. Brown to get someone to debate the issues in a fair manner. Be sure to see page 296 concerning this!
You probably should buy this book to share with your family and to refer back to because these issues WILL NOT GO AWAY!!!

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, compelling, refreshing.
Review: This book seems at a first glance and to the layperson to be quite compelling, but further research indicates that the author of this text does not conduct science in a honest manner.

At the end of each section, the author cites different sources from various fields of research. Of almost all of the evolutionary scientists, Walt Brown has taken what they've published completely out of context and used it to forther his own agenda. Upon researching what each author ACTUALLY says and comparing it to what Walt Brown uses to support his hypothesis, it becomes quite obvious that Walt Brown is a manipulator and is either one of the sloppiest researchers in his field (which is not scientific but religious) or he is an outright liar and knows what he is doing is wrong.

I've had many students approach me with Walt Brown's sloppy research trying to support the creation hypothesis. I have to spend a lot of extra time teaching students not about biology, but about how science is conducted. I have to teach them that Walt brown and his like are terrible examples of scientists and why. This takes a lot of time away from my biology cirriculum.
Overall, I think Walt Brown's text is one of the worst pieces of research I've ever seen. His facts are not right or they are taken out of context or are used in isolation. He even goes to the extent of using some of the most out-dated concepts in his hypothesis (Such as the speed of light slowing)!!

I sincerely hope those who buy into creationist propaganda will try to educate themselves about how true science is conducted. Walt Brown is a good example of a horrible scientist. For a short and quick essay regarding the scientific method and fake (pseudo) science, Google search for Carl Sagan's "Baloney Detection Kit".

Rating:
Summary: Not Compelling
Review: What a wealth of information!! This book is written in an easy-to-understand form. In the discussion of creation vs. evolution, the author presents much scientific evidence for creation that is overlooked by those who will not accept the concept of intelligent design.