Book Review ~~ Inherit the Wind ~~

Yesterday I read the play Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence. It’s set in a normally peaceful town, Hillsboro, but when a schoolteacher violates the law and teaches science that contradicts religion, famous lawyers come to town, trials happen, and even the state Capitol’s attention falls upon the town. Coincidentally, this is yet another story of science vs. religion, like The Dance Of the Frogs. However, it’s actually based off of real events and is much more believable than the other story. Remarkably, the story of a courtroom-based trial showcases one schoolteacher’s courage to do something that is right, but not popular, much better than any other story would. Bertram Cates teaches evolution; evolution that goes against what has been scientifically proven by religion. He is taken to trial; but, luckily for him, his attorney from the Herald is a very good lawyer, good enough to have a chance at winning against one of America’s most important politicians. Henry Drummond, an agnostic who takes on the most difficult cases, is defending him, he finds out. Even Matthew Brady, the State’s representative, is worried. I thought it was a really amazing play with a very meaningful story and would rate it a 9.5/10. Anyone interested in matters of religion vs. science or a good, occasionally humorous read should try reading this book.

Book Review ~~ The Dance Of the Frogs ~~

Today I read the essays The Dance Of the Frogs by Loren Eiseley. It’s part of the collection of his essays in The Star Thrower, a compilation that I’m reading right now. It’s a really interesting book that I’ve enjoyed reading so far, and I’ve already reviewed some of the other essays in The Star Thrower, namely The Bird and the Machine, How Flowers Changed the World, and The Fire Apes. The Dance Of the Frogs is written in a different style than most of his other works, though, which combine a personal story with a historical story. This one is simply one story that borders on the fantastical, alluding to a gigantic frog king and something religious in a scientific book. I still enjoyed reading it, though, an interesting account of what happened to one researcher. I’m not sure if it’s true and actually doubt it, but it made for entertaining reading that still taught me something about how hard it is to be religious while also a scientist. A story on Native American culture mixed with a story from Eiseley’s life, which incorporates an entirely different story of another person’s life, The Dance Of the Frogs is a complex but informative and entertaining essay. I highly recommend that anyone interested in religion, science, or simply a fan of this author’s works read it. I would rate it a 9/10.