We’ve already shared our own Christmas book suggestions, and some of those are echoed by World Magazine in its newly announced short lists for best books of the year. The editors’ Science Books of the Year include Heretic, by Matti Leisola and Jonathan Witt:

Leisola was an upwardly mobile European bioscientist until he read a book questioning evolutionary theory and started reading more in an attempt to defend Darwin. The more he learned, the more skeptical he became regarding “fossilized materialism,” and his chapter titles show his ascent in knowledge and his descent in reputation: “Students Begin Listening … Professors and Presidents React … Publishers Hesitate.” Leisola lays out “the overwhelming problem facing the materialistic theories of life” and punctures the claim that almost all support Darwinism: Many fear being called Darwin deniers and labeled science heretics, but Leisola’s last chapter title shows why honesty is best: It takes us “Through a Doorway to Adventure.”

Also on the short list, Scientism and Secularism, by Center for Science & Culture Senior Fellow J.P. Moreland:

Philosophy professor J.P. Moreland defines scientism as the belief that natural science is the supreme intellectual authority, while theology depends on blind faith, emotion, and cultural upbringing. Moreland says such arrogance is why “scientism is not science but philosophy,” and not “a friend of science but rather its enemy.” Humble science tells us what is testable, but believers in scientism pretend to know about past and present what they can’t possibly know — and that makes it detestable. Moreland shows the Darwinian revolution was a revolt against God, but the fine-tuning of the universe is powerful evidence for God.

Rounding out the trio, Discovery Institute founder Bruce Chapman is the author most recently of Politicians: The Worst Kind of People to Run the Government, Except for All the Others. His new book makes the short list for Understanding America Books of the Year:

When frustrated by election results, it’s useful to remember why it’s hard to live with politicians but even harder to live without them. Politicians: The Worst Kind of People to Run the Government, Except for All the Others offers warm wit seasoned with some sharp-edged anecdotes that show how the growing influence of “middlemen” — including activists and Big Media — has obstructed the deliberative process and created a kill-or-be-killed atmosphere.

The flourishing of lobbyists does not surprise Chapman, who quotes Paul Douglas — a realistic Democratic senator — saying in 1952, “Whenever government controls a business, it becomes inevitable that the business should try to control the government.” Chapman proposes re-democratizing elections by giving a 50 percent tax credit for contributions up to $1,000. He also wants to prioritize civics education in schools, reduce government intrusiveness, strengthen political parties, and reduce the length of campaigns.

Congratulations to all! Have you done your Christmas gift shopping yet? If not, you’ve now got three excellent recommendations.

Photo credit: JimmyDominico, via Pixabay.