I'm currently reading Stephen Jay Gould's The Structure of Evolutionary Theory and, while interesting, it is a bear. Other than that, my reading docket is completely open (a rare thing for me).
I wanted to solicit some reading recommendations from you all as you seem to be a very informed group. I would be interested in anything you think is informative and/or thought provoking.
I'm open to almost anthing (metaphysical, scientific, historical, sociological, fictional) as long as it is interesting - with two caveats.
1- I have, in fact, read as much of the bible as I care to and I'm not interested in conversion; however, I am interested in history and analysis of religion.
2-I am not particularly interested in recent political polemic.
I earned a degree in political science and spent the first few years of my post-graduate life involved with politics at some level - so I am pretty much burned out on it (the recent RR topics were enough to remind me why I avoid political - and religious - discussions: they are all too often emotionally based arguments which are rarely productive for either party).
Two titles which I have read recently which I thought were very good are:
1-
Scandalmonger: A Novel, by William Safire
quote:
- this description from Amazon sums it up well - It's a historic novel set in 1790s New England, when the Founding Fathers were enduring various crises and humiliations as they scurried to become part of the history books. Always a stickler for the truth--as long as it's uttered in the finest of phrases--the author lets us know right from the start that we're "entitled to know what is history and what is twistery." Based on documents and diaries, and complete with an exhaustive section of footnotes separating fact from fiction, Scandalmonger turns out to be a bona fide page-turner.
2-
Rock of Ages, by Stephen Jay Gould - this book is an analysis of the concept of NOMA (non-overlapping magesteria) and how science and religion are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
So if any of you who care to respond would suggest one or two titles you have read which you thought were particularly interesting I would be much obliged. I am especially interested in what Rrhain, Jar, Crashfrog, berberry, schraf, brian, and some of the others of you whose monnikers I can't remember off the top of my head (I sincerely apologize) might suggest.
Thanks.