An Urchin in the Storm: Essays about Books and Ideas

I just read this SJ Gould book of reviews and essays. Gould had a brilliant mind and is highly missed. The essays are complex, and the points well made. As always I give my full trust to Gould's wise opinion.

These essays, many of which appeared in New York Review of Books, contain some of Gould's finest writing. What makes it very fun is the way he critiques the ideas of others while telling stories and analysing their perspective. If you want a critical vantage on sociobiology, this is a great place to start. You can also read a wonderful review of Turning Point by Frijof Capra, which Gould finds wanting because it is full of assertions that are ultimately unproven. I would agree, but I did see a lot of merit in Capra's ideas of holistic science as well, which represented a precurser to complexity theory. Then there is Gould's trenchent critique of Jeremy Rifkin, whom he says lacks integrity because of his scientific sloppiness and the tendentiousness of his many errors - interesting because one would imagine they would be on the same side on many issues. Through it all, Gould appears as a tolerant spirit, advancing his perspective while respecting that of others with a critical gaze. Of course, there is Gould's inimitable style: so graceful and flowing that each is like a succulent hors d'oeuvre or some variety of Turkish delight. I honestly think that the quality of this writing is on a par with Emerson or Thoreau. It is the profoundest of literary talents. Warmly recommended. He was one of our very very best.

An Urchin in the Storm by Stephen Jay Gould is about books and ideas, but more so about writing, thinking and study in method.An Urchin in the Storm is divided into five different sections. The first two sections of this book group reviews that discuss the irreductibility of history, along the way the pleasures and challenges of contingency, in its two principle domains of life and the earth. The first section on evolution focuses upon structuralist and hisoricist alternatives. While the second, explains nature's complexity, (Evolutionary Theory, Time and Geology).The third section of this book explores the theory and consequences, both political and intellectual, of biological determinism. The fourth section deals with "Four Biologists." While the fifth works with "In Praise of Reason." As we read on throughout this book, Gould makes his point and scores, as he exposes fallacies, expands on geology, give thought to biological determinism, and gives the reader a clearer picture of evolutionary theory. This is a fascinating little book, as Gould works through this little tome, like the urchin, always presenting a tough exterior and continues to prickle the enemy.

For a collection of disparate essays this hangs together in the classic Steve Gould style. If you're a 'fan', this is a book you may have missed, but its definitely a 'must have'

In contrast to the previous rather bitter review, I think this is a very good book and a lot better than the the racism masquerading as science that is the Bell Curve - which Gould has read and demolished. In terms of factor analysis, I used the Urchin in the Storm to teach factor analysis it's that clear and concise. Stuff the political viewpoint just read some very good essays.