SOURCE: Shapiro, Arthur M. “A Humanist at Heart.” New Leader 74, no. 12 (4 November 1991): 24-5.

In the following review, Shapiro focuses on Gould's views concerning the creation-evolution debate in Bully for Brontosaurus.

This book [Bully for Brontosaurus] landed on my desk at an interesting moment. Shortly before, I had been asked by a representative of a student Fundamentalist organization if I would publicly debate one of the pitchmen from the Institute for Creation Research. No, I responded, the creation-evolution “debate” is a gross oversimplification; there is no conflict unless one's ideological presuppositions demand one. But I said I would be glad to participate in a genuine discussion of the philosophical issues. Fine, he replied. Nevertheless, in an interview with the campus paper the day prior to the scheduled event, he billed it as a “debate” no fewer than six times.

Of the 35 essays in Bully for Brontosaurus—Stephen Jay Gould's...