Feb 28, 2006 - Claremont, Calif. -

"Science and Religion, 1450-1900 From Copernicus to Darwin" by Richard G. Olson '62, professor of history and Willard W. Keith Jr. Fellow in Humanities at Harvey Mudd College, has been named to the annual Best Books List for 2005 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) Science Books & Film (SB&F) magazine.

Published by Greenwood Publishing Group last year, the book examines the contributions of scientists like Galileo, Newton and Darwin and their influence on religion, and, more specifically, Christianity. The first volume in a planned 15-book series "Greenwood Guides to Science and Religion," the book describes the way science interacts with religion and its ideas, attitudes, practices and institutions.

SB&F magazine "is written for librarians, media specialists, curriculum supervisors, science teachers and others responsible for recommending of purchasing science materials. Careful evaluation of these resources is vital to a better understanding of science by the next generation."

Olson has been a member of the faculty at Harvey Mudd College since 1976. His work has focused on the interrelationships between the natural sciences and other cultural domains, including moral philosophy, the social sciences, political ideology and religion. His publications include "Science Deified and Science Defied" (vol. 1, 1982; vol. 2, 1990) and "The Emergence of the Social Sciences, 1642-1792" (1993).