Biology for High School

Please view / download a PDF sample of this book.

This refreshingly Catholic biology book begins with a short and friendly application of the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Catholic Church’s greatest theologian) to the science of biology.  In contrast to most modern biology texts, which are designed around evolutionary principles and assumptions, this Catholic textbook explains life from the perspective of the observable activities of living things.  It takes into account all the causes of life, including God, the soul, and the purpose behind the design of living things.

Guided by this sound framework, the book gives the reader an up-to-date presentation of human biology, animal physiology, a detailed treatment of the various animal and plant kinds in the first part; the second part covers ecosystems, cellular and molecular biology, genetics and heredity, biotechnology and ethics, and a refutation of evolution as a plausible explanation of the origin and diversity of life.

Sold separately are a laboratory/experiment manual, student exercises, and answer key. Recommended for grades 10 -12.   Perfect for homeschoolers, too!  614 pages

Reviews:

“This is far and away the best biology textbook I have ever read.  Indeed, there is absolutely no comparison between this textbook and any other science textbook that I have read.  I am convinced that it will have a major impact for good on secondary education and university education in biology wherever it is adopted.”  

~Hugh Owen, Kolbe Center for the Study of Creation, www.kolbecenter.org

“I would like to commend the authors and colleagues for an outstanding production. In my opinion, any student who absorbs the material in this book will be really well informed on the subject in preparation for higher studies, and for the challenges of life as an educated citizen and Catholic parent. I could see this being the definitive text for Catholic home schoolers and as a back-up and counterbalance at home for biology students subjected to secular courses in public schools.”  

~ Anthony Nevard, BSc, PGTC, DipSpLD (OCR); Previously Head of Biology, St Columba’s College; Editor, “Daylight Origins” magazine

Nothing is more important in education than coherence. It is absurd to teach in religion classes that the heavens and the earth (“and all that they contain” [Ex 20, 11]) were created by an all-powerful Intelligence, that all living beings – including Man – were specially designed so as to play a definite role in the magnificent harmony of the cosmos, and then, in the science curricula, to teach that the world results from undirected collisions of blind particles and from the mechanical issue of desperate fights for survival.  “Biology: A Catholic Perspective” shows that the phenomena of life are easily understood within the true Christian worldview, which was precisely the one that gave birth to western science. All of us are indebted to the authors for having undertaken and accomplished such an essential task.

~ Dr. Dominique Tassot, Ph.D., Philosophy; Director, Center for Studies and Perspectives on Science

In every way this is a unique modern biology text book. At last we have a comprehensive treatment of the science of biology which gives full credit to the First Author – Almighty God Himself, through the lens of true Catholic philosophy! From the fresh and intricately illustrated front cover to the final chapters covering a clear and sound refutation of evolution, the book takes the student on a fascinating journey.

Beginning with direct observation of the biological world, progressing to the treatment of the God-given life force (soul) activating all living creatures and the Catholic philosophy behind a God-centered view of creation, the text provides the student with a well-rounded and in-depth resource for studying and understanding life in all its forms.

One of the most complex and difficult to understand biological subjects – genetics – the authors cover very comprehensively with clear diagrams and explanations. Ecological and microbiological topics are also treated in depth with many useful examples, clearly explained and colorfully illustrated. In general the book presents its topics with a very pleasing thoroughness. Each topic is described in easily understandable language which makes the information very accessible to students.

I thoroughly recommend this book as a worthy example of a biology text in its own right. It stands out clearly from all other such texts I have seen, however, by its unique presentation which places God rightly at the centre of all life on earth.

~ Michael Surrey, B.Sc. P.G.Dip.Sci. (zoology, microbiology, biotechnology) Pukekohe, New Zealand