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Adam's Navel
Four eloquent and thought-provoking essays on natural history. Stephen Jay Gould is one of the foremost science writers of today. A professor at Harvard, he is also a frequent and popular speaker on the sciences and has received worldwide acclaim for his work on biology, evolution and man's place in nature.
Essays:
- Adam's Navel
- The Median Isn't the Message
- Unenchanted Evening
- Male Nipples and Clitoral Ripples
Essays:
- Adam's Navel
- The Median Isn't the Message
- Unenchanted Evening
- Male Nipples and Clitoral Ripples
58 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
About the author
Stephen Jay Gould
168 books1,441 followersStephen Jay Gould was a prominent American paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and historian of science. He was also one of the most influential and widely read writers of popular science of his generation. Gould spent most of his career teaching at Harvard University and working at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
Most of Gould's empirical research was on land snails. Gould helped develop the theory of punctuated equilibrium, in which evolutionary stability is marked by instances of rapid change. He contributed to evolutionary developmental biology. In evolutionary theory, he opposed strict selectionism, sociobiology as applied to humans, and evolutionary psychology. He campaigned against creationism and proposed that science and religion should be considered two compatible, complementary fields, or "magisteria," whose authority does not overlap.
Many of Gould's essays were reprinted in collected volumes, such as Ever Since Darwin and The Panda's Thumb, while his popular treatises included books such as The Mismeasure of Man, Wonderful Life and Full House.
-Wikipedia
Most of Gould's empirical research was on land snails. Gould helped develop the theory of punctuated equilibrium, in which evolutionary stability is marked by instances of rapid change. He contributed to evolutionary developmental biology. In evolutionary theory, he opposed strict selectionism, sociobiology as applied to humans, and evolutionary psychology. He campaigned against creationism and proposed that science and religion should be considered two compatible, complementary fields, or "magisteria," whose authority does not overlap.
Many of Gould's essays were reprinted in collected volumes, such as Ever Since Darwin and The Panda's Thumb, while his popular treatises included books such as The Mismeasure of Man, Wonderful Life and Full House.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 10, 2016
Four short essays taken from the authors previous books, published as a Penguin 60s book.
These short essays revolve around natural history, and loosely link regarding evolution.
Adam's Navel, is the first essay, and it deals with the argument put forward by the sky-wizard followers that when creating the world, the sky-wizard also created a whole scientific back-story, preparing and placing fossils and laying them in stratified layers of variable mineral containing earth, just so that he could test people. The title comes from the fact the sky-wizard created Adam with a navel he would never have used (being the first man created), in the same way when first created a shark, or a hippopotamus would have been created with worn teeth and that animals were provided with an evolutionary back-story with fossils of their predecessors.
The Median isn't the Message is the second essay, based on misrepresentation via statistics, which basically explains with a personal example of the authors, that misuse of the mean, median and mode can successfully disguise the actual result.
Unenchanted Evening is the next essay, again returning to evolution, and more specifically adaptation, illustrated with snails on a Tahitian island - before their wholesale murder (by introduced snails). A sad story of mankind not learning from previous mistakes with the introduction of one species to control another.
The last essay is titled Male Nipples and Clitoral Ripples, although the author advises his preference was Tits and Clits, but acknowledges that this would be misread as sexist, as the reader may not recognise that his reference is to male tits. This essay aims to answer a question posed to the author by a librarian who corresponded with him: "Why to men have nipples?' The answer of course, is that at the embryonic stage, the decision whether the embryo is male or female has not been made, and therefore all the necessary requirements for both are in place.
This of course is taken further with the clitoris and penis having a single origin. We then head off slightly on a tangent to the (male dominated) science of female orgasm, and the written works of Kinsey, Freud, Desmond Morris and others.
Each of the essays are well articulated, and while scientific and technical, are all clearly explained in simple terms, making them very readable. I think they also benefit from their brevity.
So far, the best of the non-fiction P60 books I have read, and as hard as it is to rate non-fiction against fiction, this is worthy of 5 stars for its accessibility and clear explanations.
These short essays revolve around natural history, and loosely link regarding evolution.
Adam's Navel, is the first essay, and it deals with the argument put forward by the sky-wizard followers that when creating the world, the sky-wizard also created a whole scientific back-story, preparing and placing fossils and laying them in stratified layers of variable mineral containing earth, just so that he could test people. The title comes from the fact the sky-wizard created Adam with a navel he would never have used (being the first man created), in the same way when first created a shark, or a hippopotamus would have been created with worn teeth and that animals were provided with an evolutionary back-story with fossils of their predecessors.
The Median isn't the Message is the second essay, based on misrepresentation via statistics, which basically explains with a personal example of the authors, that misuse of the mean, median and mode can successfully disguise the actual result.
Unenchanted Evening is the next essay, again returning to evolution, and more specifically adaptation, illustrated with snails on a Tahitian island - before their wholesale murder (by introduced snails). A sad story of mankind not learning from previous mistakes with the introduction of one species to control another.
The last essay is titled Male Nipples and Clitoral Ripples, although the author advises his preference was Tits and Clits, but acknowledges that this would be misread as sexist, as the reader may not recognise that his reference is to male tits. This essay aims to answer a question posed to the author by a librarian who corresponded with him: "Why to men have nipples?' The answer of course, is that at the embryonic stage, the decision whether the embryo is male or female has not been made, and therefore all the necessary requirements for both are in place.
This of course is taken further with the clitoris and penis having a single origin. We then head off slightly on a tangent to the (male dominated) science of female orgasm, and the written works of Kinsey, Freud, Desmond Morris and others.
Each of the essays are well articulated, and while scientific and technical, are all clearly explained in simple terms, making them very readable. I think they also benefit from their brevity.
So far, the best of the non-fiction P60 books I have read, and as hard as it is to rate non-fiction against fiction, this is worthy of 5 stars for its accessibility and clear explanations.
April 8, 2011
A pleasant little penguin 60's publication (perfect for traveling) containing four essays by Gould.
Gould is as always an excellent writer, both witty and humorous but having the straightforward clarity of writing that has made his writing so very accessable to popular science readers. These small essays on science related topics are easy and enjoyable to read.
The signature essay addresses the fact that Adam's navel poses a significant problem to christianity, in that as he has been made by god, he had had no umbilical connection to a mother. Gould takes us through the different philosophers who thought and wrote on the topic and relates the question back to evolutionary science.
Next he gives us a small introduction to averages through the use of means and medians, he ties this to medical questions by using a personal brush with mesothelioma.
We then have Enchanted Evening, which talks about some of the worse results of introduction of species in Pacific Islands: I loved this one, because the group of animals used to discuss it is snails and I have a soft spot (pardon the pun) for all invertebrates, but Mollusca in particular.
The final essay Male Nipples and Clitoral Ripples (titles changes from original, possibly offensive one) was a fun look at evolution, adaptation, it's interpretations and fashions and a disparaging mention of Freud.
All thoroughly enjoyable.
Gould is as always an excellent writer, both witty and humorous but having the straightforward clarity of writing that has made his writing so very accessable to popular science readers. These small essays on science related topics are easy and enjoyable to read.
The signature essay addresses the fact that Adam's navel poses a significant problem to christianity, in that as he has been made by god, he had had no umbilical connection to a mother. Gould takes us through the different philosophers who thought and wrote on the topic and relates the question back to evolutionary science.
Next he gives us a small introduction to averages through the use of means and medians, he ties this to medical questions by using a personal brush with mesothelioma.
We then have Enchanted Evening, which talks about some of the worse results of introduction of species in Pacific Islands: I loved this one, because the group of animals used to discuss it is snails and I have a soft spot (pardon the pun) for all invertebrates, but Mollusca in particular.
The final essay Male Nipples and Clitoral Ripples (titles changes from original, possibly offensive one) was a fun look at evolution, adaptation, it's interpretations and fashions and a disparaging mention of Freud.
All thoroughly enjoyable.
December 17, 2016
This is a very short book of four essays.
One on interpretation - and potential for misinterpretation - of statistical averages, median in particular.
One tackles an old (and to be fair, now unused) creationist argument with the point of showing it's lack of relevance (rather than plainly its lack of credibility) to any scientific argument, due to its complete lack of any testability by definition.
The other two focus on:
1) the importance of careful consideration before the introduction of a biological control agent by demonstration of the consequences of reckless introductions which led to the extinction of many (particularly evolutionarily relevant) snail species on Pacific islands;
2) critique of an adaptationist view of evolution.
One on interpretation - and potential for misinterpretation - of statistical averages, median in particular.
One tackles an old (and to be fair, now unused) creationist argument with the point of showing it's lack of relevance (rather than plainly its lack of credibility) to any scientific argument, due to its complete lack of any testability by definition.
The other two focus on:
1) the importance of careful consideration before the introduction of a biological control agent by demonstration of the consequences of reckless introductions which led to the extinction of many (particularly evolutionarily relevant) snail species on Pacific islands;
2) critique of an adaptationist view of evolution.
June 19, 2026
Me vino Dios a ver: eché para una summer school en burdeos y me cogieron y fui y conocí al comparador de cánceres y le caí en gracia y me regaló este diminuto compendio y me iluminó (Dios me vino a ver).
Ya había leído la crítica al adaptacionismo de Gould en el máster (un paper de ultra referencia, el de las enjutas de San Marcos) pero claro … a una le hace más gracia que aquello que apoya sus intuiciones y el corazón de su tesis sean cosas como los pezones y el clitoris
Ya había leído la crítica al adaptacionismo de Gould en el máster (un paper de ultra referencia, el de las enjutas de San Marcos) pero claro … a una le hace más gracia que aquello que apoya sus intuiciones y el corazón de su tesis sean cosas como los pezones y el clitoris
September 16, 2019
jay Gouldin klassiset esseet ovat kultaa. Tämäkin pikku kirja on oikea helmi. Vaikka on jo vähän vanhempi, ei silti yhtään vanhentunut.
March 31, 2012
There are four scientific / philosophic essays in this tiny book. Of the four my favorite has to be "Unenchanted Evening" which discusses statistics, invasive species and diversity brought on by isolation -- all of which is seen through the filter of "South Pacific" and couple of species of snails.
May 12, 2017
I found this small little book at a book fair in Texas with my parents. I identify to Christians as a atheist but as an Agnostic to hard core atheists. I like to play the devils advocate I guess. I also identify as an artist. I thought this book was going to be about how in old religious paintings u rarely saw Adams belly button cause there was much debate as to if he had one. (Being that he was not birthed by a woman) Artist not wanting to challenge the Church at the time decided to just creatively cover it or not show it. While it did touch on this idea there was much more about evolutionary thought and references to scientists I knew nothing about. I was literally looking up a word every page and it wasn't just scientific terms just but words that are "out of date" or perhaps just not used in the states🤷♀️. I really tried to like this book but most of it was over my head. Since I do identify as a feminist too though I must say that the last essay in the book Male Nipples and Clitoral Ripples I did enjoy. If your way into evolutionary science this might be the book for u! If your an Atheist art history buff this may not be the book for u.
December 30, 2025
“In a theological debate more portentous than the old argument about angels on pinpoints, many earnest people of faith had wondered whether Adam had a navel.
He was, after all, not born of a woman and required no remnant of his nonexistent umbilical cord. Yet, in creating a prototype, would not God make his first man like all the rest to follow? Would God, in other words, not create with the appearance of pre-existence?”
He was, after all, not born of a woman and required no remnant of his nonexistent umbilical cord. Yet, in creating a prototype, would not God make his first man like all the rest to follow? Would God, in other words, not create with the appearance of pre-existence?”
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August 1, 2026(retrospective review c.2008)
Here are 3 short essays about evolution and about the statistics of cancer! Gould is obviously a very good scientist, erudite and well-informed, but a bit dull I think? The one interesting thing was some new words – what a geek I am! Omphalus, Lamarckism, prochronic & diachronic … not that I can explain what they mean.
Here are 3 short essays about evolution and about the statistics of cancer! Gould is obviously a very good scientist, erudite and well-informed, but a bit dull I think? The one interesting thing was some new words – what a geek I am! Omphalus, Lamarckism, prochronic & diachronic … not that I can explain what they mean.
September 10, 2019
Great very short book on topics that are theory quite complex made simple by Stephen Jay Gould, which might be the best example of a science communicator I have seen so far. I cannot wait to dive deeper into his work!
January 24, 2021
Provides some alternative points of view but gets a bit divergent in ideas.
March 22, 2026
Very interesting short read, loved all four essays but the one on omphalos was my favourite
June 2, 2024
3.5. Four short science-y essays. Covering topics like whether Adam and Eve should be depicted with belly buttons, if the median is useful when figuring out where you’re going to land in a distribution, the evolution and (human induced) genocide of tropical land snails in Tahiti, why men have nipples, and the evolutionary reason for the clitoris.
This was a good sampler. Gould discussed interesting topics but I wasn’t a big fan of his style.
This was a good sampler. Gould discussed interesting topics but I wasn’t a big fan of his style.
April 6, 2014
Did Adam have a navel? How does one lie with statistics? What is the best way to destroy an indigenous species? Why do men have nipples? These questions vaguely link up with the four essays by Gould in this collection, but do not do them justice. Excellently written prose leads the reader through fascinating topics in evolutionary biology. Well worth the reading, and yet again in the Penguin 60s, an enticing appetizer for the writer's complete works.
Gould begelei sy leser deur komplekse idees uit die evolusionêre biologie, maar op 'n helder en vrolike wyse. Sy essays is hoogs leesbaar en maak 'n mens lus vir nog.
Gould begelei sy leser deur komplekse idees uit die evolusionêre biologie, maar op 'n helder en vrolike wyse. Sy essays is hoogs leesbaar en maak 'n mens lus vir nog.
March 3, 2015
Stephen Jay Gould (1941-2002) เป็นนักชีววิทยาชาวอเมริกัน 4 บทความสั้นเกี่ยวกับประวัติศาสตร์ธรรมชาติ
- Adam's Naval พูดถึงทฤษฎีวิวัฒนการในแง่การกำเนิดของสิ่งมีชีวิต ถ้าสิ่งทั้งหลายเกิดจากการสร้างของพระเจ้าจริงๆ
- The Median isn't the message พูดถึงความหมายของค่าเฉลี่ยที่อาจจะทำให้ข้อมูลที่ได้รับผิดพลาด
- Unenchanted Evening ยกเคสการแพร่กระจายของหอยทากบนเกาะตาฮิติและการแก้ปัญหาที่ทำให้สิ่งมีชิวิตสายพันธ์นึงหายไปจากถิ่นที่อยู่เดิมจากการกระทำของมนุษย์
- Male Nipples and Clitoral Ripples พูดถึงทฤษฎีวิวัฒนการในแง่การเปลี่ยนแปลงของอวัยวะบางส่วน (ให้ชีด, หัวนมผู้ชายและคริสตอริสของผู้หญิง) ในแง่ทั้งชีวะวิทยาของดาร์วินและจิตวิเคราะห์ของฟรอยด์
- Adam's Naval พูดถึงทฤษฎีวิวัฒนการในแง่การกำเนิดของสิ่งมีชีวิต ถ้าสิ่งทั้งหลายเกิดจากการสร้างของพระเจ้าจริงๆ
- The Median isn't the message พูดถึงความหมายของค่าเฉลี่ยที่อาจจะทำให้ข้อมูลที่ได้รับผิดพลาด
- Unenchanted Evening ยกเคสการแพร่กระจายของหอยทากบนเกาะตาฮิติและการแก้ปัญหาที่ทำให้สิ่งมีชิวิตสายพันธ์นึงหายไปจากถิ่นที่อยู่เดิมจากการกระทำของมนุษย์
- Male Nipples and Clitoral Ripples พูดถึงทฤษฎีวิวัฒนการในแง่การเปลี่ยนแปลงของอวัยวะบางส่วน (ให้ชีด, หัวนมผู้ชายและคริสตอริสของผู้หญิง) ในแง่ทั้งชีวะวิทยาของดาร์วินและจิตวิเคราะห์ของฟรอยด์
March 1, 2013
A superb little taster of Gould's wonderful combination of beautiful prose, insightful scientific thought and breadth of interest. In 4 short essays he covers evolutionary philosophy, the use and abuse of statistics, ecological incompetence and the dangers of ascribing adaptive function to female orgasm. A provocative wee book that reminds us of Gould's genius and makes me wonder what he would make of Dawkins' recent neo-Darwinian fundamentalism?
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