An extraordinary book. Mr. Gould is an exceptional combination of scientist and science writer. He is thus exceptionally well placed to tell these stories, and he tells them with fervor and intelligence.
James Gleick
New York Times Book ReviewGould at his best. The message of history is superbly conveyed. Recommended reading for scientists and nonscientists of all persuasions.
Walter C. Sweet
ScienceLuminous. Filled with profound and upsetting ideas like the Burgess Shale itself and just as solid. It is surely one of nature's best stories, told with a light touch by a master of the field.
Lewis Thomas, M.D.
There is no question about the historical importance of the Burgess Shale, and Gould is right when he says that it deserves a place in the public consciousness along with big bangs and black holes. A compelling story, told with characteristic verve.
Richard A. Fortey
NatureWonderful. Professor gould has brought to light one of the least known but most pectacular paleontological discoveries of all time and woven around it a brilliant tapestry of facts, theories and ideas.
Martin Gardner
High in the Canadian Rockies is a small limestone quarry formed 530 million years ago called the Burgess Shale. It holds the remains of an ancient sea where dozens of strange creatures lived - a forgotten corner of evolution preserved in awesome detail. In this book Stephen Jay Gould explores what the Burgess Shales tells us about evolution and the nature of history.