"But a man does not attain the status of Galileo merely because he is persecuted; he must also be right." Gould's excellent prose and combined essays warn of hubris. Research and conclusions can be tainted by ideology. He reminds us to be aware of our biases and assumptions when crafting studies and interpreting data. Also, a reminder that we are part of the animal kingdom. This collection of essays is well worth your time."The hallmark of humanity is not only our mental capacity but also our mental flexibility. We have made our world and we can change it."

In this collection of scientific essays, Stephen Jay Gould promises to shine a light on Darwins dangerous and revolutionary idea, whilst informing the reader in a comprehensive and adequate prose about the new advancements in the field. The writing is lucid and compelling. The subjects are varied and detailed. And while it presents the reader with data and information about the various ideas floating around in the scientific community, it never asserts anything: the reader has to make their own conclusions. After all, that might be the ultimate purpose of a good essayist. Many people acknowledge Charles Darwin as the most brilliant scientist of all time. In 1859, he proposed a theory that would soon alter the perception of life on planet Earth. Until the 19th century, nobody had a conclusive scientific answer. For all purposes, all species on Earth had been created at a single moment in time by a divine entity. And although there are some who still hold their faith in that specious premise, today it is no longer a plausible idea. In essence, the evidence for evolution is abundant. More than a hundred years later, a lot of momentous events occurred: scientist discovered genetics, and fossil evidence was unearthed from the ground. There was a lot that Darwin did not know. That did not stop him from devising the most important theory in all biology.

Gould is pithy. His understanding is deep enough that he can actually describe evolution to the reader. Not every scientist can move beyond teaching and the constraints of the university. Gould always seemed unbound. He is more similar to Darwin and his coworkers than most students have a right to expect. Reveling in blessed work is enjoyable.