ROCK OF AGES

Stephen Jay Gould is a bestselling science writer, so the Library of Contemporary Thought asked him to defend faith as part of its series of booklength essays. Fortunately, Gould is a brilliant thinker. Unfortunately, Gould is not a believer. Richard McGonagle has a clear, melodious voice, which is a lucky thing since I had to hear some passages several times before I understood them. Gould writes that science and religion are both necessary but are entirely separate. Science will never explain away religion, he says, nor can religion ever incorporate the findings of science. This is a stunning defense of belief, by an unbeliever. He's convinced me, but apparently left himself unmoved. B.H.C. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 99]