Worlds of Wonder
I chose to review these two books together because they landed in my life in quick succession and also because the authors seemed to me to be inspired by the same impulses: a childlike wonder at the age and indestructibility of the old laws (“gods”) that have shaped us; a delight in the extraordinary creativity of life and an amazement at the unimaginable diversity and individuality that emerges as life goes on re-creating itself. They also share a desire to help us find modern meanings for ourselves and the universe in which we live, free of the tyranny of dogma or fear. Both are superb, even poetic, writers who have read vastly and are able to synthesise their knowledge so that they serve as excellent guides as we journey in their footsteps.