Overman (a lawyer) argues against the view that the origin of life and the origin of the universe can be explained as random events. He contends that it is mathematically impossible to calculate the level of data necessary for organic life in terms of random changes in pre-organic processes. He outlines the verbal and mathematical logic related to this subject, and considers the ethical implication of chance beginnings. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)