Dinosaur in a Haystack is a book written by Stephen Gould. It is about reflections on natural history, and contains essays on topics such as the Burgess Shale, Punctuated Equilibrium, and human evolution.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for anyone with an interest in natural history, particularly those who want to learn more about the work of Stephen Gould. It provides a fascinating look into the way that Gould thinks about and approaches science, giving readers a better understanding of his thinking process and how he interprets data.
Pros :
- The topics covered are interesting and diverse
- Gould is a skilled writer, and the book is easy to read
- The essays are well researched
Cons :
- The author’s writing style can be difficult to follow at times.
- Not all of the essays contained within are equally interesting or well written.
- The book is quite dense, and could potentially be overwhelming for those without a background in science or engineering.
Learn more about the author
Stephen Jay Gould was an American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and historian of science. He was also one of the most influential and widely read writers on evolution in the twentieth century.
Reader Reviews
“Dinosaur in a Haystack is one of Gould’s best books, and it’s not hard to see why. It contains clear explanations of difficult concepts, charming personal anecdotes, and penetrating insights into the workings of nature.”
“Dinosaur in a Haystack is one of the most important books I’ve ever read. Gould manages to take complex scientific theories and make them understandable for everyone, without sacrificing any of their depth or insight. If you’re interested in natural history at all, this book is essential reading.”
“Dinosaur in a Haystack is Gould at his finest. This book contains essays on natural history that are both informative and entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I’m sure you will too.”
“Dinosaur in a Haystack is, quite simply, one of the finest books I have ever read . Gould’s prose is invariably clear and engaging; his viewpoints are original, insightful, and thought-provoking; he has an inexhaustible fund of fascinating examples drawn from the full spectrum of natural history. This is simply a superb book.”