"Arrested? For teaching? John Scope's crime riveted the world, and crowds flocked to the trial of the man who dared to tell students about a forbidden topic--evolution. The year was 1925, and discussing Darwin's theory of evolution was illegal in Tennessee classrooms. Lawyers wanted to challenge the law, and businessmen smelled opportunity. But no one imagined the firestorm the Scopes Trial would ignite--or the media circus that would follow. As reporters, souvenir-hawking vendors, angry protestors, and even real monkeys mobbed the courthouse, a breathless public followed the action live on national radio broadcasts. All were fascinated by the bitter duel between science and religion, an argument that boiled down to the question of who controls what students can learn--an issue that resonates to this day. Through contemporary visuals and evocative prose, Anita Sanchez vividly captures the passion, personalities, and pageantry of the infamous 'Monkey Trial,' highlighting the quiet dignity of the teacher who stood up for his students' right to learn"--From the publisher's web site.

Includes chronology. Includes glossary.

"Call Howard Morgan to the stand" -- "John, would you be willing to stand for a test case?" -- "We've just arrested a man for teaching evolution!" -- Monkeyshines -- "Do you know anything about evolution?" -- "The fires that have been lighted in America" -- "Did he tell you anything that was wicked?" -- "Will you state what evolution is?" -- "The evening and the morning were the first day" -- The circus leaves town.