Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman

Reading Level: Adult Non-Fiction

Submitted by Gerti

As you might expect from an author whose name means “holy man” in German, Deborah Heiligman has written an account of what religion meant in the life of a very famous man - Charles Darwin. For those who don’t know, he was the British naturalist who came up with the “survival of the fittest” concept of evolution, and hence butted heads with those who were more comfortable with the creation story in the Bible, where God created everything that ever lived. This book spends most of its time dealing with that dilemma in Darwin’s life.

But the method this book uses to examine the gulf between Darwin’s theories and commonly held religious beliefs in the 1800s is to examine the relationship between Darwin and his wife Emma, who was far more religious than her husband. Heiligman’s book details the Darwin’s many children and their happy family life. And it shows how the death of the couple’s favorite child, Annie, challenged Emma’s belief in heaven and killed Charles’ entirely. More important in regards to his scientific contributions, it details what influenced Darwin to make his great leap of thought – including his voyage on the HMS Beagle and the Thomas Robert Malthus’ essay on human population growth and decline that Darwin thought might explain the growth and decline of plant and animal species as well. The book even shows the influence Darwin had on popular culture – from the cartoons that lampoon the relationship between monkeys and humans, to the novel “Wives and Daughters” by Elizabeth Gaskell where the hero was modeled after Darwin.

I found the book interesting, as it humanizes the iconic figure, showing how worried Darwin was about releasing “The Origin of Species” before it was perfect, and how he dealt with public and private opposition to his theory, as well as to closely-related rival theories. The text delves into his many fascinations – with bugs, birds, for example, and explains what might seem a mystery for modern people - why he was able to spend so much time being a naturalist (his family was related to the rich and famous Wedgwoods.) It also lists Darwin’s many illnesses, and shows how hard he had to work to overcome his frequent bouts with headaches and intestinal distress in order to research and write his many books (and journals).

So the book taught me more about Darwin the man than a simple biography would have. But my criticism is that, at times, the author’s need to link religion to a particular moment in Darwin’s life felt forced, although I understand that she wanted to make this more than an “ordinary” biography. Yet, even with that issue, the book is worth reading if you have any interest in the life of this ordinary man with an extraordinary mind.

Threat Vector by Tom Clancy

Reading Level: Adult

Submitted by Rose

Jack Ryan Jr. son of President Jack Ryan and member of the secret organization The Campus, again comes to the rescue of his country in a cyber attack from an unknown source.  He and his fellow members of The Campus determine the enemy is China who wishes to be the number one power in the world.  International intrigue and fast military action keep the reader on edge and eager to read more.

The Violinist's Thumb by Sam Kean

Reading Level: Adult Non-Fiction

Submitted by Gerti

Like Sam Kean's earlier work, "The Disappearing Spoon," "The Violinist's Thumb" was brilliant and exhausting all at once!  Much harder to read than his earlier work on the stories behind all the elements, this book deals with DNA and its history, touching on various scientist and their struggles to define what makes us human, and what makes us able to produce other humans with similar traits!  If that sounds sexy, it's not, although Kean uses as much humor as he can muster to turn this muddy sledding through hard science into a joy ride.  I had heard about Gregor Mendel like every American high school graduate, but the truth being figuring out what turned my brown eyes blue is a lot more complicated than that fairy tale!

As in his previous work, Kean's strength lies in his ability to humanize scientists like Mendel, Watson and Crick, and to make them not only geniuses of the first order, but also incredibly fragile and fallible human beings, who have to deal with office politics, economics and jealous co-workers the same as the res of us.  Personally, I was thrilled to know that women scientists played a large role in the discovery and understanding of genetics, and have subsequently taken out other books (which I haven't read yet!) to get to know those people better.

This is a book that will give you a thrill a chapter, but you as the reader will have to work hard for it.  There were many times when I finished a chapter, and wanted to rush out and research the topic Kean had discussed.  I even ended up telling some of the stories to my kids in the car on the way to school--which is pretty crazy, since it was stories about Neanderthal man!  More than a book by Crichton or Cook, I felt this author really understood the science he was writing about, but since he didn't dummy things down, there were times when I struggled to keep up both with concepts and specific facts.  I feel much richer for having read this book, which like his previous work is a fascinating but difficult journey through the history of scientific discoveries.  But unlike the last book, with this account I'm willing to admit to Kean (or anyone else!) that he is smarter than am I, because there are still some concepts here that I do not grasp.

Teen Read Week-Author Interview-Diana L. Sharples

Equilibrium. That's what Stacey and Calvin found in each other. He is as solid as his beloved vintage motorcycle and helps quiet the constant clamor in Stacey's mind. She is a passionate, creative spirit---and a lifeline after Calvin's soldier brother dies.But lately the balance is off. Calvin's grief is taking new forms. Voices of self-loathing are dominating Stacey's life. When struggles with body image threaten her health, Calvin can't bear to lose another person that he loves. Taking action may destroy their relationship, but the alternative could be much more costly. (From LCPL's website)

Click HERE to request a copy.  You will need your library card number and pin.