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The Trial of the Century: Gregg Jarrett

Gregg Jarrett argues that the trial of the century wasn’t O.J. Simpson, Charles Manson, Nuremberg, the Lindbergh kidnapping or any of the dozens of other trials described as the biggest trial of the 20th century.

He makes a strong case in his book, “The Trial of the Century,” with Don Yaeger, that it was the Scopes Monkey Trial.

The Scopes Monkey Trial was the 1925 case revolving around the teaching of evolution in public school classrooms. John Scopes was the teacher tried in a Tennessee courtroom for teaching evolution.

The trial pitted Clarence Darrow, an agnostic and the preeminent American attorney of the era, against William Jennings Bryant, a creationist and three-time Democratic nominee for president. Darrow defended Scopes and the right to teach science in schools. Bryant opposed the teaching of evolution and anything that conflicted with the biblical story of creation and the literal view of the Bible.

The trial was the basis for a stage dramatization and film titled “Inherit the Wind.”

Scopes and Darrow lost the case but Bryant arguably lost even more.

In a real-life scenario that sounds tailor-made for a play, Bryant took the stand as a self-proclaimed expert witness on the Bible while Darrow cross-examined him about points in the Bible, such as how long was the first day, if God made Adam and Eve who then bore children, who did Cain marry when he was banished?, etc.

Bryant could not answer many of the questions and had to admit that some things in the Bible could not be taken literally. Bryant died a few days after the trial.

Through history books and dramatizations, the basics of the Scopes Monkey Trial are well known. At least, they should be.

Jarrett tells a more complete story that includes the full retelling of the dramatic scene between Darrow and Bryant but offers more of the back story, such as Dayton, Tenn., officials talking Scopes into standing trial for teaching evolution to attract publicity for the town. Officials had hoped to bring business, investors and residents to the small town. Instead, the town received a rush of journalists, evangelists, hucksters and national ridicule.

Scopes would be hunted and haunted by his decision to play along for the rest of his life.

Jarrett also provides background on the biographies of Darrow and Bryant as well as other players in the story. The personalities are fascinating.

But the strongest point of the book is laying out the case for why the Scopes Monkey Trial is the most important case of the 20th century and is still relevant for the 21st century. Possibly even more so now, with new laws regulating what can and cannot be taught in classrooms.

The case centered on the freedom for people to think, for science to be taught as science, for no religion to have the right to subvert scientific study.

As the book notes: “The stunning outcome foreshadowed the fraught culture wars that would shape America throughout the century and beyond.”

The book jacket includes a blurb from a Darrow quotation: “Scopes isn’t on trial; civilization is on trial.”

The book argues mightily for an America where the free exchange of ideas is paramount.

“The Trial of the Century” offers a lesson that extremes on both sides of the political aisle should heed.

Darth Vader: Unbound Force

In the Marvel Comics series, Darth Vader continues being a force to be reckoned with.

“Darth Vader: Unbound Force” collects issues 33-36 of the monthly Vader comic book as well as issue 3 from the 2015 run which first introduced some of the characters who return for the more recent storyline.

In “Unbound Force,” Vader continues his partnership with Sabe, the former handmaiden for the late Princess Padme Amidala. Sabe is one of the few people who knows that Vader was once Anakin Skywalker, Amidala’s love.

Here, Vader has lost control of his Force powers, making him simultaneously vulnerable and more dangerous than ever.

Sabe must confront her decision to partner with Vader while trying to tap a riddle of the Force: If fear leads to anger and anger leads to hate, does hate lead to suffering or power?

Meanwhile, the popular Doctor Aphra returns along with the killer droids Triple Zero and Beetee.

Writer Greg Pak continues unlocking new stories and new depths in the Darth Vader saga. Adam Gorham, penciller and inker, and Federico Blee, colorist, provide stunning visuals.

Marvel’s Vader continues to be a must-read in its multiple monthly “Star Wars” titles.