Title: Impossible Monsters
Author: Michael Taylor
Genre: Nonfiction, Science
Published: 2024
Pages: 334
Goodreads Rating: 4.22
Rating: 8/10
“Truth is better than disingenuous comfort.”
The 1800s were a fascinating and exciting time to be alive, assuming you were a gentleman scientist. Britain proved to be a place “where dissenting religion and industrial innovation forged a crucible of curiosity.” What happened in the 1800s would forever change our relationship with Christianity and science.
Pros
Enlightening, insightful, thought-provoking
Taylor guides us through the late 1700s into the early 1900s when Britain was riddled with controversy. Gentlemen scientists were emerging and with them the discovery of fossils that inevitably challenged long-held, established beliefs. Early British geologists attempted to fit their developing theories into the creationist account of Earth as the government and religious organizations attempted to respond with severe consequences for anyone who published controversial theories. It was a nerve-wracking time. More and more pieces of evidence were unearthed leading to revolutionary publications from a variety of gentlemen scientists that culminated in the final form known as Darwinism. But how well do you know the man, or more accurately the men, behind the theory?
Taylor’s account of Darwin and others was enlightening. The personal struggles and concerns regarding their own religious beliefs alongside the fear of severe consequences for sharing these theories led to a tumultuous time of science versus religion. “This was not … a knock-out blow to religion; rather, … it had been a work of relentless attrition.”
Immediately captures your attention
I was hooked from the very beginning of the book. The Preface and Prologue beautifully set the scene and presented curious details that made me want to learn more. That interest was sustained throughout all five parts of the book.
Detailed and significant
Impossible Monsters does not scrimp on the details. Taylor provides a meticulous level of insight into the inner thoughts of these gentlemen scientists who shaped our understanding of the natural world. The author dives into personal journals and letters to give us a fair and honest representation of each critical person involved. My appreciation and understanding of Charles Darwin was especially impacted because of this book.
Cons
Chapter organization
Given the amount of detail and connections that Taylor wanted to express, the chapters often felt like they jumped around and it could be difficult to follow along the timeline.
Dramatis Personae
Related to my first con, the book would have benefitted from a detailed Dramatis Personae at the start of the book that could be referenced as needed.
Overall…
I highly recommend Impossible Monsters. It heavily changed my perspective on and understanding of that highly influential period of time. Not only was this an educational book, it was also an engrossing experience.
Caroline’s Library 