An Urchin in the Storm: Essays About Books and Ideas

A collection of essays by the late evolutionary biologist and science popularizer, Stephen Jay Gould. Well, I say essays. Theoretically these are book reviews, and all of them appeared originally in the New York Review of Books (between 1963 and 1987, judging by the info on the copyright page). But most of them are probably more accurately described as responses to the books in question, rather than traditional reviews, as Gould often discusses the broader context of the books as much or more as the books themselves, and adds a lot of his own commentary on the subjects they address. He often finds things to be critical of, perhaps praising aspects of the work while pointing out areas where he thinks the authors have gone wrong. A few of show more his responses are purely appreciative, though, while several are full-bore takedowns. Throughout, Gould repeatedly comes back to certain themes and ideas that will be familiar to those who've read him before, most particularly his firm belief that too many people's views of evolution are far too reductionist in the way they attempt to apply simplistic ideas of genetics to things (up to and including human cultural practices) that are better understood as complex epiphenomena.

It's not at all necessary to be familiar with any of the books in question, by the way. I certainly haven't read all of them, and probably most of them I hadn't even heard of. I wouldn't recommend this as a first introduction to Gould, though. I think for many of these pieces it helps to have at least some understanding of the ideas and vocabulary of evolutionary biology in general, and Gould's approach to it in particular. And the pieces here might vary a bit more in how interesting, readable, and engaging they are than most of his essay collections. The best of them, though, I really enjoyed. Especially, it must be said, some of the negative ones, where he's explaining politely and devastatingly why the author of some book or other has no idea what they're talking about and is actively hurting whatever cause they're arguing for. show less

This book is wonderful for examples of critical thinking. The books and essays that are critiqued are old and probably have not stood the time, but these essays are still relevant in today's world.

Stephen Jay Gould is an amazing writer of science. He is able to express his ideas clearly, concisely and with empathy.

Where the writer is missing a point he gently explains why this person's reasoning is wrong or incomplete (see the example with Cardboard Darwinism). When the author is a complete ass (See Jensen's Last Stand), Gould dissects the writing with a sharp knife that leaves the reader very clearly understanding why the argument has no merit.

I especially enjoyed the last section, In Praise of Reason. Gould highlights four different show more scientists, either as a biography or as the scientific principal that the scientists bring.

So, to conclude - a well written book that is both interesting in topic matter, but also will demonstrate how to reason. This was a very enjoyable read. Highly Recommended. show less

Not as interesting as Gould's essays on evolution, baseball, and statistics, this book focuses on reviews of books. Gould does demonstrate much of his familiar style here, but he isn't as much fun to read when he strays into criticism instead of evolutionary theory.

An Urchin in the Storm: 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 show more 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. show less

Well written essays from Stephen Jay Gould.

The chapters are
- Evolutionary Theory
- Time and Geology
- Biological Determinism
- Four Biologists
- In Praise of Reason

1. Here, Gould revels in life's complexity, attacking as he always has the bitter fruits of biological determinism and praising reason. In doing so, he awakens all of us to the pretty pebbles of evolutionary fact and thought. Illustrated. Source: Publisher
2. Ranging as far as the fox and as deep as the hedgehog (the urchin of his title), Stephen Jay Gould expands on geology, biological determinism, "cardboard Darwinism," and evolutionary theory in this sparkling collection. Source: NYT Book Review
3. "What pleasure to see the dishonest, the inept, and the misguided deftly given their due, while praise is lavished on the deserving―for reasons well and truly stated."― Kirkus Reviews

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