20th Century Bio Textbooks Reviewed and Ranked
A database of 80 American high school biology textbooks, from Elements of Biology (1907) through Modern Biology (1969).
Each entry includes a brief observational note and a 0-5 ranking based on a qualitative assessment of the presentation of the topic of evolution. The table also includes title, copyright date, author(s) and category: P for phylogenetic, E for economic, U for unity of life, and N for normative. I will be writing more on this categorization scheme shortly.
For criteria and analysis, see The Topic of Evolution in Secondary Schools Revisited.
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| Title | Date | Author(s) | Publisher | Type | Evolution 0-5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elements of Biology | 1907 | Hunter, George William | American Book Company, New York | Phylogenetic | 0 None beyond that implied by the phylogenetic structure. |
| Applied Biology* | 1911 | Bigelow, Maurice A; Bigelow, Anna N | Macmillan, New York | Unity of Life | 5 Though presented at the end of the text, provides a thorough and surprisingly modest explanation of the topic of evolution. |
| Essentials of Biology | 1911 | Hunter, George William | American Book Company, New York | Phylogenetic | 2 Introduces evolution, including human evolution. Very Lamarckian. No Darwin. |
| Elementary Biology: Plant, Animal, Human | 1912 | Peabody, James Edward; Hunt, Arthur Ellsworth | Macmillan, New York | Phylogenetic | 1 None beyond that implied by the phylogenetic structure. |
| A Civic Biology | 1914 | Hunter, George William | American Book Company, New York | Economic | 3 An amalgam of Lamarckian and Darwinian ideas, used the word evolution, but consigned Darwin to support "improvement" of plants, animals and humans (253). |
| Practical Biology* | 1916 | Smallwood, W. M; Reveley, Ida L; Bailey, Guy A | Allyn and Bacon, Boston | Phylogenetic | 2 Evolution indexed. Darwin bio (30) includes references to both Origins and Descent. |
| Civic Biology* | 1918 | Hodge, Clifton F. and Dawson, Jean | Ginn, Boston | Economic | 3 Offers reasonable description of evolution, but only as a set up to genetic and eugenic management |
| Elementary Biology: An Introduction to the Science of Life | 1919 | Gruenberg, Benjamin C | Ginn, Boston | Unity of Life | 4 Clear in its presentation of theory. Cautionary in promotion of application. |
| Biology for High Schools | 1920 | Smallwood, W. M; Reveley, Ida L; Bailey, Guy A | Allyn and Bacon, Boston | Phylogenetic | 0 Evolution not indexed. Darwin bio not present in text (only Smallwood to omit). Weak presentation of human evolution. Confused presentation of natural selection. |
| Biology for Beginners | 1921 | Moon, Truman J | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 3 Indexed. Reasonable description. Note: strongly links organic and cultural evolution. |
| Civic and Economic Biology | 1922 | Atwood, Wm. H | P. Blakiston's, Philadelphia | 4 Complete by standards of the day, though highly progressionist, focused toward improvement. Labeled "The Doctrine of Evolution." Compare to era's best, Bigelow 1911. | |
| New Essentials of Biology | 1923 | Hunter, George William | American Book Company, New York | Phylogenetic | 2 Identical to Hunter 1911. |
| The Biology of Man and Other Organisms | 1923 | Linville, Henry R | Harcourt, New York | Normative | 4 Evolution strongly presented, though its position at the end of zoology section telegraphs a progressionist rather than unity of life ideology. |
| Biology of Home and Community | 1923 | Trafton, Gilbert H | Macmillan, New York | Economic | 4 Excellent, extensive treatment of topic. Unusual for its day. Downplays natural selection somewhat in favor of mutations - typical. |
| Living Things, An Elementary Biology | 1924 | Clement, Arthur G | Iroquois Publishing Co, Syracuse, NY | Economic | 2 Natural selection, adaptation, Darwin credited for theory, evolution indexed, reference to Origins |
| Biology and Human Welfare | 1924 | Peabody, James Edward; Hunt, Arthur Ellsworth | Macmillan, New York | Economic | 1 Darwin (along with Agassiz and Pasteur) introduced early as great biologists, but no mention of evolution. |
| New Biology | 1924 | Smallwood, W. M; Reveley, Ida L; Bailey, Guy A | Allyn and Bacon, Boston | Phylogenetic | 2 Indexed and woven into the text, carefully so as not to offend. Word 'evolution' used just once, and oddly. Darwin bio edited |
| Living Things, An Elementary Biology | 1925 | Clement, Arthur G | Iroquois Publishing Co, Syracuse, NY | Economic | 1 Natural selection remains from 1924 (but as before, only as support for selective breeding. 'Evolution' removed from index. Darwin bio edited |
| Biology and Human Life | 1925 | Gruenberg, Benjamin C | Ginn, Boston | Economic | 3 Accurate, anti-progressionist description of natural selection (536) with meaning of "fittest" strongly disclaimed. |
| New Civic Biology | 1926 | Hunter, George William | American Book Company, New York | Economic | 3 No different in effect or content than Hunter 1914, despite edits made to satisfy post-Scopes publishing concerns (e.g. 'evolution' became 'development'). |
| An Introduction to Biology | 1926 | Kinsey, Alfred C | Lippincott, Chicago | Unity of Life | 2 Defends the use of the word 'evolution' (196-97), but focuses on 'sports' and artificial selection. No theory. Evolution not indexed. |
| Biology for Beginners | 1926 | Moon, Truman J | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 3 Nearly identical to Moon 1921. |
| Biology | 1927 | Atwood, Wm. H | P. Blakiston's, Philadelphia | Economic | 2 A significant step back from 1922. Evolution not indexed. Word appears only in definitions. Theory presented within closing biography section. Wallace, not Darwin, pictured. No history, human evolution. |
| New General Biology | 1929 | Smallwood, W. M; Reveley, Ida L; Bailey, Guy A | Allyn and Bacon, Boston | Phylogenetic | 2 Indexed and woven into the text, carefully so as not to offend. 'Development' substituted for 'evolution' in text. 'Evolution' still in Darwin bio. Bio included concluding paragraph from Origins (648-648). |
| Problems in Biology | 1931 | Hunter, George William | American Book Company, New York | Economic | 3 More explicitly links general evolution ('development') and human evolution. No clear expression of theory. |
| Essential of Biology | 1931 | Meier, W. H. D; Meier, Lois | Ginn, Boston | Phylogenetic | 0 No mention of evolution, even as bridging material. |
| Dynamic Biology | 1933 | Baker, Arthur O; Mills, Lewis H | Rand McNally, New York | Normative (weakly) | 3 Does not index word 'evolution." But closes with reasonable description of historical evolution and theory. Disclaims Darwin in favor of De Vries. Not unusual for the era. |
| New Introduction to Biology | 1933 | Kinsey, Alfred C | Lippincott, Chicago | Unity of Life | 2 'Evolution' introduced in index and treatment slightly expanded. Kinsey not current - labels natural selection "Darwinism" or "Survival of the Fittest" (431). |
| The Living World | 1933 | Mank, Helen Gardner | Benj. H. Sanborn & Co, Chicago | Unity of Life / Health | 1 Natural selection, but no Darwin |
| Biology for Beginners | 1933 | Moon, Truman J; Mann, Paul B | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 4 Expands treatment relative to 1926, though substitutes "racial development" for evolution |
| Biology for Today | 1934 | Curtis, Francis D; Caldwell, Otis W; Sherman, Nina Henry | Ginn, Boston | Unity of Life | 2 Difficult to judge. No mention of Darwin. Word 'evolution' not used. But concept fully integrated into reproduction, genetics and "The Record of the Ages." (576-650) |
| New Biology | 1934 | Smallwood, W. M; Reveley, Ida L; Bailey, Guy A | Allyn and Bacon, Boston | Phylogenetic | 3 Strong presentation relative to earlier versions, integrated paleontology, heredity, and human ancestry. |
| Biology | 1935 | Fitzpatrick, Frederick L; Horton, Ralph E | Houghton Mifflin, Boston | Economic | 5 Strongest presentation of evolution in any American high school textbook until BSCS, complete and fully integrated, yet does not index or use the word! |
| Our World of Living Things | 1936 | Heiss, Elwood D; Osborn, Ellsworth S; Manzer, J. Gordon | Webster Publishing Company, St. Louis, MO | Unity of Life / Health | 4 Strong presentation of evolution (sans word), including human and cultural evolution. |
| Everyday Problems in Biology | 1936 | Pieper, Charles J; Beauchamp, Wilber L; Frank, Orlin D | Scott, Foresman and Company, Chicago | Unity of Life / Economic | 2 Not indexed. Implied in several sections |
| New Biology | 1937 | Smallwood, W. M; Reveley, Ida L; Bailey, Guy A | Allyn and Bacon, Boston | Phylogenetic | 3 Strong presentation relative to earlier versions, integrated paleontology, heredity, and human ancestry. Though contant still scattered and confused. |
| New Introduction to Biology | 1938 | Kinsey, Alfred C | Lippincott, Chicago | Unity of Life | 2 Identical to Kinsey 1933. |
| Adventure with Living Things | 1938 | Krober, Elsbeth; Wolff, Walter H | D. C. Heath, Boston | Phylogenetic / Unity of Life hybrid | 5 Again, similar to Smith 1938. Thorough, unapologetic, integrated presentation. Indexed. |
| Biology: a Revision of Biology for Beginners | 1938 | Moon, Truman J; Mann, Paul B | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 4 All but identical to Moon 1933 |
| Exploring Biology | 1938 | Smith, Ella Thea | Harcourt, New York | Unity of Life | 5 About as strong a presentation of evolution as possible in the pre-synthesis era. |
| A Biology of Familiar Things | 1939 | Bush, George L; Dickie, Allan; Rukle, Ronald C | American Book Company, New York | Normative | 0 Evolution not mentioned. Not surprising for a text focused on helping students adjust to "the best of all possible worlds" |
| Living Things and You | 1940 | Downing, Elliot R; McAtee, Veva M | Lyons and Carnahan, Chicago | Normative | 4 Thoroughly integrates evolution, including human evolution, into narrative. |
| Science of Living Things | 1941 | Clinton, Weymouth G | Holt, New York | Unity of Life | 4 All but identical to Moon 1933 |
| Biology: a Revision of Biology for Beginners | 1941 | Moon, Truman J; Mann, Paul B | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 3 Book organized against progressive evolutionary ideology. However, topic not indexed. Darwin not cited. Author betrays out-of-date affection for "big mutations," De Vries saltatory theory. |
| Biology and Human Affairs | 1941 | Ritchie, John W | World Book Company, Yonkers-On-Hudson | Normative | 2 Though text opens with implied evolution, topic is used mainly as an introduction to the world as it is. Word not indexed. |
| Dynamic Biology Today | 1943 | Baker, Arthur O; Mills, Lewis H | Rand McNally, New York | Normative | 3 Retains identical description from Baker 1933. Continues to disclaim natural selection in favor of 'sports,' or mutation theory |
| Everyday Biology | 1943 | Curtis, Francis D; Caldwell, Otis W; Sherman, Nina Henry | Ginn, Boston | Unity of Life | 2 Identical to Curtis 1934 |
| Exploring Biology | 1943 | Smith, Ella Thea | Harcourt, New York | Unity of Life | 4 Strong and thorough presentation of evolution closes text. Integrates history, theory and human evolution. |
| Biology and Man | 1944 | Gruenberg, Benjamin C; Bingham, N. Eldred | Ginn, Boston | Unity of Life | 5 Strong integrated presentation. |
| Biology for Better Living | 1946 | Bayles, Ernest E; Burnett, R. Will | Silver Burdett Company, New York | Normative | 4 Does not index 'evolution,' but covers the topic in two chapters totaling 26 pages. Very reasonable summation of pre-synthesis thinking (608) |
| Biology: a Revision of Biology for Beginners | 1946 | Moon, Truman J; Mann, Paul B | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 4 All but identical to Moon 1933 |
| Biology for You | 1946 | Vance, B. B; Miller, D. F | Lippincott, Chicago | Normative | 3 Evolution is present. Text explicitly links general and human evolution. But topic detailed in summary only (588). |
| Modern Biology | 1947 | Moon, Truman J; Mann, Paul B; Otto, James H | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 2 Decoupled discussion of theory of evolution from human evolution and cultural development. Theory used to reinforce argument for scientific management |
| Biology and Human Affairs | 1948 | Ritchie, John W | World Book Company, Yonkers-On-Hudson | Normative | 3 Integrated presentation, quite similar to Ritchie 1941. Topic not index. Darwin not cited. Natural selection and historical evolution described in detail. Out of date |
| Elements of Biology | 1948 | Smallwood, W. M; Reveley, Ida L; Bailey, Guy A; Dodge, Ruth A | Allyn and Bacon, Boston | Phylogenetic | 3 Retains relatively strong presentation relative 20s/early 30s Smallwood, integrated paleontology, heredity, and human ancestry Evolution content consolidated following botany, before vocations. |
| Exploring Biology | 1949 | Smith, Ella Thea | Harcourt, New York | Unity of Life | 5 Introduces "the synthetic theory" (498). First high school text to do so. |
| Adventures with Animals and Plants | 1950 | Krober, Elsbeth; Wolff, Walter H | D. C. Heath, Boston | Unity of Life | 4 All but identical to Kroeber and Wolff 1938. Somewhat less integrated due to text structure. No synthesis, despite date. |
| Modern Biology | 1951 | Moon, Truman J; Mann, Paul B; Otto, James H | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 2 Identical to Moon 1947 |
| Elements of Biology | 1952 | Smallwood, W. M; Reveley, Ida L; Bailey, Guy A; Dodge, Ruth A (lead author) | Allyn and Bacon, Boston | Phylogenetic | 2 Terribly out of date, very 'nineteenth century' presentation of evolution relative to competitive texts. |
| Basic Biology for High Schools | 1953 | Fenton, Carroll Lane; Kamby, Paul E | Macmillan, New York | Unity of Life | 4 Thorough treatment of topic of evolution. Topic commands significant integrated placement, indexed by word (though word, surprisingly only in index, referred to as 'change' in text). |
| Exploring Biology | 1954 | Smith, Ella Thea | Harcourt, New York | Unity of Life | 5 Continued strong presentation of evolution. "Synthetic theory" now called "The Modern Theory." Incorporation of modern mutation understanding in heredity and genetics sections. |
| Biology in Daily Life | 1955 | Curtis, Francis D; Urban, John | Ginn, Boston | Unity of Life | 3 Though the word evolution is not used, text begins with "the Changing Populations of Living Things," introducing Darwin in the first paragraph. |
| Biology in Our Lives | 1955 | Hunter, George W; Hunter, F. R | American Book Company, New York | Normative | 3 Basic. Topic indexed, integrated with heredity and reproduction and presented mid-text. No synthetic/modern theory |
| Modern Biology | 1956 | Moon, Truman J; Mann, Paul B; Otto, James H | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 1 Closing chapter from Moon 1947/1951 remains. Discussion of human ancestry deleted |
| Biology | 1957 | Krober, Elsbeth; Wolff, Walter H; Weaver, Richard L | D. C. Heath, Boston | Unity of Life | 4 Indexed and integrated. No modern synthesis |
| Biology : The Living World | 1958 | Curtis, Francis D; Urban, John | Ginn, Boston | Unity of Life | 3 Evolution is present. Text explicitly links general and human evolution. But topic detailed in summary only (588). |
| Biology for You | 1958 | Vance, B. B; Miller, D. F | Lippincott, Chicago | Normative | 2 Main narrative opens with Darwin, and is identical to Curtis 1955 (1949, 1953). Downgraded here from 3 to 2 based relative to much stronger presentations in contemporary Smith and Kroeber. |
| New Dynamic Biology | 1959 | Baker, Arthur O; Mills, Lewis H; Tanczos Jr., Julius | Rand McNally, New York | Normative | 2 Retains identical description from Baker 1933, 1943. Woefully out of date by 1959. Word "evolution" not indexed. |
| Exploring Biology | 1959 | Smith, Ella Thea | Harcourt, New York | Unity of Life | 4 Strong presentation of evolution, totally focused on synthesis, marred by publisher effort to compete with Modern Biology through edits. |
| Modern Biology | 1960 | Moon, Truman J; Otto, James H; Towle, Albert | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 2 Restores and slightly expands discussion of human ancestry. The word evolution still absent from text |
| Your Biology | 1962 | Smith, Ella Thea; Lisonbee, Lorenzo | Harcourt, New York | Normative | 3 Linked sections on heredity, genetics, the fossil record and human evolution. Does not index evolution or mention Darwin or natural selection. |
| BSCS "Green Version" aka Biological Science: An Ecological Approach | 1963 | Bates, Marston; Kolb, Haven C (Supervisors) | Rand McNally, New York | Unity of Life | 5 40-page dedicated section in 700+ page text devoted to evolution. However, topic thoroughly integrated. Most 'modest' of all BSCS books. |
| BSCS "Blue Version" aka Biological Science: Molecules to Man | 1963 | Deyrup, Ingrith; Welch, Claude (Supervisors) | Houghton Mifflin, Boston | Unity of Life | 5 Strong, but simplified presentation of evolution (relative, for example, to Smith 1959). General and not necessarily appropriate progressive thrust to narrative. |
| Modern Biology | 1963 | Moon, Truman J; Otto, James H; Towle, Albert | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 2 Identical to Moon 1960. Finally indexes and uses word 'evolution.' |
| BSCS "Yellow Version" aka Biological Science: An Inquiry Into Life | 1963 | Moore, John A (Supervisor); Glass, Bentley (Co-supervisor, though not credited as such) | Harcourt, New York | Normative | 5 Excellent presentation of evolution, integrating synthetic theory. Marred by progressionist ideology and claims of link to cultural evolution. |
| Biology | 1965 | Krober, Elsbeth; Wolff, Walter H; Weaver, Richard L | D. C. Heath, Boston | Unity of Life | 4 Indexed and integrated. No modern synthesis. Not updated from prev ed |
| Modern Biology | 1965 | Otto, James H; Towle, Albert | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 3 Greatly strengthened, though theory presented is out of date and heavily disclaimed relative to humans |
| Exploring Biology | 1966 | Smith, Ella Thea; Lawrence, Thomas Gordon | Harcourt, New York | Unity of Life | 5 Excellent, modern, thorough presentation of evolution. Perhaps better than BSCS texts. |
| BSCS "Yellow Version" aka Biological Science: An Inquiry Into Life | 1968 | Moore, John A (Supervisor) | Harcourt, New York | Normative | 5 Excellent presentation of evolution, integrating synthetic theory. Marred by progressionist ideology and claims of link to cultural evolution. |
| Modern Biology | 1969 | Otto, James H; Towle, Albert | Holt, New York | Phylogenetic | 3 Identical to 1965 |
*Title reviewed via Google Books. All others physically reviewed.
