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Hen's Teeth and Horse's Toes: Further Reflections in Natural History Reissue Edition
"Lively and fascinating. . . . [Gould] writes beautifully about science and the wonders of nature."―Tracy Kidder
Over a century after Darwin published theOrigin of Species, Darwinian theory is in a "vibrantly healthy state," writes Stephen Jay Gould, its most engaging and illuminating exponent. Exploring the "peculiar and mysterious particulars of nature," Gould introduces the reader to some of the many and wonderful manifestations of evolutionary biology.- ISBN-100393311031
- ISBN-13978-0393311037
- EditionReissue
- PublisherW. W. Norton & Company
- Publication dateApril 17, 1994
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
- Print length414 pages
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Editorial Reviews
Review
―Washington Post Book World
"Lively and fascinating. . . . [Gould] writes beautifully about science and the wonders of nature."
―Tracy Kidder
From the Back Cover
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : W. W. Norton & Company
- Publication date : April 17, 1994
- Edition : Reissue
- Language : English
- Print length : 414 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0393311031
- ISBN-13 : 978-0393311037
- Item Weight : 12.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #776,706 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #461 inNature Conservation
- #578 inNatural History (Books)
- #579 inEnvironmentalism
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Stephen Jay Gould (1941-2002) was the Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology and Professor of Geology at Harvard University. He published over twenty books, received the National Book and National Book Critics Circle Awards, and a MacArthur Fellowship.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book's information quality positive, with one noting how it provides indirect lessons about evolution concepts. The book's readability receives positive feedback, with customers describing it as a good read.
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Customers find the book's information quality positive, with several noting the interesting indirect lessons about evolution, and one customer highlighting how it touches on issues that encompass all of science.
"...having never seen the periodicals, I find the essays very readable,informative, and filled with "wow" moments; I never knew that, I never..."Read more
"...Essays such as Nonmoral Nature,Hutton's Purpose, Worm for a Century, Stinkstones of Oeningen, Evolution as Fact and Fancy, and Science and Jewish..."Read more
"Acontinuation of essays on evolution similar to his brilliant book, “Ever Since Darwin”. Enjoyable read."Read more
"...Hisindirect lessons about the concepts of evolution are interesting and well presented...."Read more
Customers find the book readable, with one describing it as an excellent Gould book.
"A continuation of essays on evolution similar to hisbrilliant book, “Ever Since Darwin”. Enjoyable read."Read more
"...be made countering the NOMA concept but Gould's ideas are stillworth reading...."Read more
"Anotherexcellent Gould book. I've loved every book. I recommend this to anyone interested in facts and new ideas. 5 stars"Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2012Format: KindleVerified PurchaseA Harvard education for a couple bucks. I started with Bully for Brontosaurus that I picked up at a seaman's book exchange for free. Gould [deceased] was a Harvard professor that taught geology and natural history and his books are a collection of essays that were mostly printed in "Nature" and other periodicals. With no background in either subject and having never seen the periodicals, I find the essays very readable, informative, and filled with "wow" moments; I never knew that, I never considered that, that's amazing, etc. Gould sometimes wanders into the political arena [Mismeasure of Man]and has a strong point of view on evolution which sometimes wanders into the political but that aside the essays are superb and very readable. I'm on my fourth Gould book now [Hen's Teeth] and by the time I read them all I figure I've had at least an "Introduction to Geology and Natural History" from Harvard for less than $50. A background in the subjects isn't required to enjoy the essays. As an added bonus Gould introduces the reader to other works. Darwin's Worms isn't something I would have read without Gould's essay. Enough said; as a tip, you can buy Gould's books used on Amazon from different dealers for as low as a penny and a couple bucks shipping. I should have three of them waiting for me at the next mail drop. All of Gould's books are available on Kindle for $9.99 or less. Those I've read I'll drop at a book exchange as payback or leave in a laudromat.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2023Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseA continuation of essays on evolution similar to his brilliant book, “Ever Since Darwin”. Enjoyable read.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2016Format: KindleVerified PurchaseAs an avid long-time reader of Gould's essays, this is by far one of my most favorite collections. Essays such as Nonmoral Nature, Hutton's Purpose, Worm for a Century, Stinkstones of Oeningen, Evolution as Fact and Fancy, and Science and Jewish Immigration (as well as most of the other essays) really touch on issues that encompass all of science including the nature of morality, the essential qualities of scientific thinking, and the structure and biases of the human mind. Although these essays predate the formalization of Gould's concept of NOMA (Non-overlapping magisteria), many of the ideas discussed in these essays form its basis. Sound arguments can be made countering the NOMA concept but Gould's ideas are still worth reading. The many pithy quotes in these essays make the reading particularly enjoyable (e.g., "We may wallow forever in the thinkable; science traffics in the doable.").
- Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2013Format: KindleVerified PurchaseAnother excellent Gould book. I've loved every book. I recommend this to anyone interested in facts and new ideas. 5 stars
- Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2014The book itself is very small but Gould's writing is excellent. His indirect lessons about the concepts of evolution are interesting and well presented. Anyone who is even mildly interested in science would enjoy this.
Top reviews from other countries
- Cam McKechnieReviewed in Canada on February 23, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars1st class, precisely as ordered
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseBookseller / Amazon 1st class - ionicquestReviewed in Canada on June 20, 2014
5.0 out of 5 starsThis was so interesting!
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThanks, Stephen Jay Gould for taking a challenging topic and making it so interesting and readable. I really enjoyed this and loved the interesting examples that the author used to show his points.
